Global Agronomy Operations Manager

Organizational Context & Scope Member of the 4-FTE Global Agronomy Core Team; peer to the Global Head of Agronomy Excellence and PMO & Agronomy Performance Manager; direct report to the Сhief Agronomy Officer. Line manages Country Agronomy Leads in India and Kenya - the primary conduit between global strategy and country-level execution. Direct manager of Country Pilot Agronomists and Field Agronomists during LATAM and SE Asia 5-farm pilot phases; no additional central headcount is allocated to pilots. Primary Agronomy interface with Finagra Logistics (input supply chain) and Finagra TECH (FMS operational requirements, farm-onboarding gate compliance). Manages farm-count threshold transitions (5 to 30 to 100 to 300 farms per country) that trigger structural and staffing changes per the TOM. Key Responsibilities & Accountabilities TOM Implementation & Operational Compliance Own end-to-end implementation of the Finagra Agronomy Target Operating Model across all active countries and pilot geographies. Conduct structured quarterly operational reviews with each Country Agronomy Lead: TOM compliance, headcount adequacy, REP performance, farm onboarding pipeline. Identify operational deviations at country and cluster/regional level; issue formal corrective requirements with deadlines; escalate non-compliance to the CAO. Manage all farm-count milestone transitions: validate staffing readiness, role introduction triggers, and structural changes at 5-, 30-, 100-, and 300-farm thresholds. Ensure FMS onboarding gate compliance - every farm must satisfy all four gate criteria (FMS active, REP certified, SOPs live, farm data complete) before portfolio entry. Country Agronomy Lead Management Line manage the India Agronomy Lead and Kenya Agronomy Lead - performance direction, resource advocacy, and operational problem-solving. Set measurable operational KPIs for each Country Lead aligned to TOM expectations: farm onboarding rate, REP compliance score, agronomic calendar execution rate, escalation response time. Conduct annual performance appraisals; provide developmental feedback and identify succession pipeline for critical country-level roles. Serve as primary escalation channel from Country Leads to the CAO for issues beyond country-level authority - resource gaps, structural changes, systemic execution failures. New Market Pilot Management (LATAM & SE Asia) Personally and directly manage all new-country 5-farm pilot operations from Day 1 through to permanent Country Lead appointment - active management, not remote oversight. Lead recruitment of Country Pilot Agronomists and Field Agronomists for LATAM and SE Asia pilots; validate local agronomic credentials, regulatory knowledge, and farmer relationship competency. Enforce non-negotiable pilot entry standard: FMS readiness, REP certification, and SOP activation fully completed before the first farm enters the portfolio. Monitor pilot performance against yield plan, input compliance, and FMS data quality; produce structured pilot evaluation reports at 3-farm and 5-farm milestones. Recommend - with evidence - transition from pilot to 30-farm structure (cluster/regional design and staffing plan) to the CAO and Global Head of Agronomy Excellence. Logistics & Technology Interface Primary Agronomy contact for Finagra Logistics: align agronomic input schedules, delivery windows, and seasonal procurement plans. Escalate input supply failures and critical material shortages from country operations to Finagra Logistics at portfolio level. Partner with Finagra TECH on FMS operational requirements; translate field-reported platform inefficiencies into structured product improvement requests. Ensure all REP engagement terms include Finagra Tech data ownership clauses as mandated by TOM Section 10.3. Qualifications & Experience Profile Essential Academic Credentials M.Sc . in Agronomy, Agriculture, Agricultural Economics, or Operations Management - required. MBA or postgraduate qualification in agribusiness management is a significant advantage. B.Sc . Agronomy with 15+ years demonstrated multi-country farm portfolio scaling may be considered in exceptional cases. Essential Professional Experience Minimum 12 years in agronomy or agribusiness operations, with at least 5 years in a multi-country portfolio management role with direct line management of country or regional teams. Demonstrable experience designing and enforcing farm onboarding or operational gate frameworks across a geographically dispersed farm network. Track record of personally managing new-market agricultural operations - building local teams, establishing operational standards, and delivering first-season results - in at least two distinct markets. Proven ability to integrate cross-functional operations: supply chain, technology platforms, and agronomic execution working in parallel. Experience in a lean, technology-first agricultural business model where digital platforms carry primary monitoring responsibility. P&L literacy: experience interpreting farm-level financial performance, input budget variance, and yield-vs-forecast data in operational decision-making. Operational experience in India, Kenya, East Africa, LATAM, or SE Asia with direct understanding of smallholder or contract farming models. Fluent English at executive level; working proficiency in Hindi, Swahili, Portuguese, or a SE Asian language is an advantage. Competency Profile (Korn Ferry Lominger Framework) Drives Results: Translates strategic TOM design into measurable operational outcomes at country and cluster level. Plans & Aligns: Manages multi-country operational complexity - farm-count milestones, seasonal calendars, pilot phases - with precision. Manages Ambiguity: Operates effectively in new-market pilots with incomplete information and evolving conditions. Interpersonal Savvy: Builds credibility with Country Leads, local agronomists, and REPs across multiple cultural contexts. Situational Adaptability: Flexes between TOM compliance monitoring and hands-on pilot management with equal effectiveness. Courage: Holds Country Leads accountable and escalates non-compliance without hesitation. What We Offer Operational ownership of a global farm portfolio scaling across four high-growth markets. Direct report line to the CAO - real authority, no bureaucratic intermediary. The opportunity to shape how Finagra enters and scales in new countries from day one. Competitive compensation aligned with senior global operations leadership. Flexible, remote-first working with structured international travel.