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Role Purpose

// The Ethiopia Production Research Agronomist plays a pivotal strategic role in advancing Production Research Support, Technology Deployment, and Knowledge Transfer across Bayer Seed Manufacturing in Ethiopia. This position is responsible for driving operational excellence in seed production through the rigorous application of research-based solutions, the execution of continuous improvement initiatives, the deployment of advanced agronomic technologies, and the systematic transfer of agronomic and seed production best practices. By fostering strong collaboration with regional and global stakeholders, the role contributes to the delivery of high-performing, efficient, cost-effective, and dependable seed production systems, fully aligned with Bayer’s sustainability commitments and long-term business objectives.

Key Responsibilities and Tasks

// Research and Technology Deployment: Lead the strategic deployment of innovative seed production technologies and agronomic practices, ensuring effective integration into existing operations and sustainable adoption across production practices.

// Operational Excellence: Drive operational excellence within seed production through the leadership of continuous improvement initiatives that enhance quality, cost efficiency, productivity, and yield, while sustaining industry-leading standards and execution discipline.

// Collaboration and Stakeholder Engagement: Establish and maintain strong cross-functional partnerships with key internal stakeholders, including Foundation and Commercial Seed Production teams, R&D, and Global SPI, to ensure strategic alignment with organizational priorities and regional business needs.

// Training and Knowledge Transfer: Lead technical capability building and knowledge transfer initiatives for production teams and Bayer seed growers, enabling the effective adoption of advanced technologies, best practices, and strategies required to deliver consistent and reliable seed production outcomes.

// Deployment Field Trials and Data Analysis: Oversee the execution of deployment field trials and research initiatives to validate innovative technologies and agronomic practices, ensuring robust data generation and analysis to inform evidence-based decisions and strategic production priorities.

// Regulatory and Compliance Support: Ensure full compliance of production processes with applicable local and global agricultural regulations, stewardship requirements, and Bayer sustainability commitments, while reinforcing governance, risk mitigation, and operational integrity.

// Reporting and Documentation: Deliver timely, comprehensive, and decision-oriented reporting on project progress, field trial findings, and technology deployment outcomes to support regional alignment, informed decision-making, and effective execution against strategic objectives.

// HSE Responsibilities:

• • Leading HSE efforts according to ISO45001 and Bayer safety standards focusing on legal compliance and identifying safety risks applying the HIRA methodology.
  • Adherence to all applicable legislation, Bayer safety policies and procedures.
  • Actively promoting the Bayer safety culture and best practices.
  • Participation in compiling Risk assessments and Job safety analysis.
  • Actively recording safety observation and near misses.
  • Participating in 5WHY problem solving identifying corrective and preventative actions.

Key Working Relations

// Data Insights and Pipeline Advancement Unit

// SSA and RSA Research and Testing Missions

// Foundation and Commercial Seed Production

// Production Management

// Production Quality

// Breeding (R&D)

// Portfolio Management

Experience, Skills and Qualifications

// Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Agronomy, Agricultural Science, or a closely related discipline, providing a strong academic foundation for advanced agronomic research, technology deployment, and seed production excellence.

// A minimum of 3-5 years of progressive experience in agronomy, seed production, or agricultural research, ideally gained within a multinational, highly matrixed, or large-scale agricultural environment.

// Demonstrated ability to operate with a high degree of independence while effectively managing multiple priorities, projects, and deliverables within a dynamic environment.

// Professional fluency in English is essential; proficiency in relevant local languages would be considered a distinct advantage in supporting effective stakeholder engagement and operational execution.

// Willingness and flexibility to travel extensively across Africa, as required to support regional priorities, stakeholder engagement, and operational delivery.

// A valid driver’s license is required to enable effective mobility and field-based execution of regional responsibilities.

// Comprehensive knowledge of seed production systems, operational processes, and enabling technologies, with the ability to apply this expertise to support high-performing and scalable production outcomes.

// A strong commitment to sustainable agriculture and innovation, with the capability to translate emerging practices into practical solutions that strengthen long-term production resilience and business value.

// Expertise in ISO standards and continuous improvement methodologies, including Six Sigma and Lean Manufacturing, would be advantageous in driving process discipline, efficiency, and operational excellence.

Functional Competence

// Demonstrated critical thinking capability, coupled with the agility to respond effectively to complex and evolving field-based challenges.

Strong analytical capability, with the capacity to interpret complex data sets and translate insights into sound, data-driven decisions.

// Excellent communication and interpersonal effectiveness, with a proven ability to build, influence, and sustain productive relationships across cross-functional teams and diverse stakeholder groups.

// Ability to operate successfully within a fast-paced, global, and multicultural seed business environment.

// A strong orientation toward continuous improvement, with confidence and initiative to challenge the status quo and enhance existing processes and ways of working.

                                                                                                                                        ////////////////                                         Science for a better Life

Bayer welcomes applications from all individuals, regardless of race, national origin, gender, age, physical characteristics, social origin, disability, union membership, religion, family status, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression or any unlawful criterion under applicable law. We are committed to treating all applicants fairly and avoiding discrimination.

As part of our commitment to inclusion, we want to ensure persons with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, please contact us at ssa.recruitment@bayer.com

Location:

Kenya : Kenya : Nairobi || Cote d'Ivoire : Abengourou : Abengourou || Cote d'Ivoire : Abidjan : Abidjan || Cote d'Ivoire : Daloa : Daloa || Cote d'Ivoire : Divo : Divo || Cote d'Ivoire : Korhogo : Korhogo || Cote d'Ivoire : Other : Other || Cote d'Ivoire : San Pedro : San Pedro || Cote d'Ivoire : Yamoussoukro : Yamoussoukro || Malawi : Malawi : Lilongwe || Malawi : Malawi : Malawi || Mozambique : Mozambique : Maputo || Mozambique : Mozambique : Mozambique || Nigeria : Abudja : Abudja || Nigeria : Lagos : Lagos || South Africa : Eastern Cape : East London || South Africa : Eastern Cape : Eastern Cape || South Africa : Eastern Cape : Knysna || South Africa : Eastern Cape : Plettenburg Bay || South Africa : Eastern Cape : Port Elizabeth || South Africa : Free State : Bloemfontein || South Africa : Free State : Bultfontein || South Africa : Free State : Free State || South Africa : Free State : Hoopstad || South Africa : Free State : Kroonstad || South Africa : Free State : Rietz || South Africa : Gauteng : Gauteng || South Africa : Gauteng : Germiston || South Africa : Gauteng : Midrand || South Africa : Gauteng : Nigel || South Africa : Gauteng : Petit || South Africa : Kwazulu/Natal : Durban || South Africa : Kwazulu/Natal : Kwazulu/Natal || South Africa : Kwazulu/Natal : Pietermaritzburg || South Africa : Limpopo : Groblersdal || South Africa : Limpopo : Limpopo || South Africa : Mpumalanga : Ermelo || South Africa : Mpumalanga : Malelane || South Africa : Mpumalanga : Middelburg || South Africa : Mpumalanga : Mpumalanga || South Africa : Mpumalanga : Standerton || South Africa : North West : Brits || South Africa : North West : Lichtenburg || South Africa : North West : North West || South Africa : North West : Potchefstroom || South Africa : Northern Cape : Northern Cape || South Africa : Western Cape : Cape Town || South Africa : Western Cape : Paarl || South Africa : Western Cape : Western Cape || Zambia : Zambia : Chimoio || Zambia : Zambia : Chokwe || Zambia : Zambia : Kabwe || Zambia : Zambia : Lusaka || Zambia : Zambia : Mazabuka || Zambia : Zambia : Mkushi || Zambia : Zambia : Zambia || Zimbabwe : Zimbabwe : Harare || Zimbabwe : Zimbabwe : Zimbabwe  

Division: Crop Science 

Reference Code: 873553