About the Group:

Key Result Areas (KRAs)

• Plantation Productivity: Achieve agreed targets for yield, FFB production, harvesting efficiency and plantation productivity. Indicative mature-area targets: FFB yield of [18–22] t/ha, palm stand held at [160] palms/ha, and year-on-year improvement against the block-wise yield ramp-up curve.
• End-to-End Operations: Ensure excellence across seed sourcing, nursery, planting, field upkeep, crop protection, harvesting, evacuation and FFB quality. Own an annual planting programme of [2,000–2,500] ha — the rate required to reach 25,000 hectares — and a nursery pipeline of [400,000–480,000] seedlings per annum at [160] palms/ha including nursery allowance, using approved Tenera material only, with full traceability of planting material from seed lot to block.
• Plantation Health: Maintain strong agronomic standards, palm health, soil fertility, pest/disease management and replanting programmes. Run a structured leaf and soil sampling cycle with site-specific fertiliser recommendations, legume cover crop establishment, pollinator (Elaeidobius kamerunicus) population management, and an active Ganoderma, rhinoceros beetle, leaf-miner and rodent surveillance and census regime.
• FFB Quality & Mill Interface: Deliver FFB to the mill at [>95]% ripe bunches, loose-fruit recovery of [>95]%, and within [24] hours of cutting, working to a [10]-day harvesting round, so that the mill’s OER and free fatty acid (FFA) targets are achievable. Jointly own the FFB grading protocol at the weighbridge with the Mill Manager.
• Cost & Budget Control: Prepare and manage annual operating and capital budgets; identify and actively manage major cost drivers and cost-control levers. Cost per hectare and cost per tonne FFB are the primary control metrics for this role.
• People Leadership: Build, lead and develop high-performing teams with clear objectives, accountability, performance management and succession planning, including a deliberate programme to build and promote Nigerian supervisory and management talent.
• Operational Systems: Establish disciplined SOPs, reporting, controls, planning and performance-monitoring systems across the plantation. Digitise block-level records — GIS/block mapping, census, harvesting, upkeep, fertiliser and labour productivity — into a single plantation MIS with a weekly management dashboard.
• Safety & Compliance: Maintain high standards of occupational safety, environmental stewardship, statutory compliance and operational governance, including RSPO-aligned practice, zero-burn land preparation, HCV and peat avoidance, and NESREA and Nigerian labour-law compliance.
• Continuous Improvement: Identify productivity, efficiency and technology opportunities and translate them into measurable operational gains, including selective mechanisation of harvesting, in-field evacuation and fertiliser application.
• Land Development & Stakeholder Relations: Support land identification, survey, titling and host-community agreements; manage day-to-day community, labour and traditional-authority relationships so that field operations are not interrupted.
• Estate Infrastructure: Maintain estate roads, bridges, culverts, drainage, water supply, workshops, stores and labour housing to a standard that sustains harvesting and evacuation through the full wet season.

Reporting & Organisation:

• Reports to: Business Head
• Dotted line: Group technical / agriculture leadership, for standards and audit
• Direct reports (indicative): Estate / Field Managers [2–3] today, rising with the planted area; Agronomist and Plant Protection lead; Nursery Manager; Harvesting & Evacuation Manager; Plantation Engineering & Civil; Plantation HR & Admin; Stores and field procurement
• Key interfaces: Mill Manager (FFB supply, grading and quality), Finance, Supply Chain, Security, Group audit
• Total workforce under management: [600–900] including contract labour today, rising towards [2,500–3,000] as the estate reaches 25,000 hectares

Qualifications & Experience:

• B.Sc. / M.Sc. in Agriculture, Agronomy or Plantation Crop Management, or equivalent; specialist oil palm training or certification an advantage.
• 15+ years in oil palm plantations, of which at least [5] years as Estate Manager, Group Manager or Head of Agronomy on an estate of [5,000]+ hectares.
• Demonstrated experience of greenfield development and of converting immature areas to stable mature yield.
• Experience in West or Central Africa strongly preferred; strong candidates from Malaysia, Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, Latin America or India with a genuine willingness to relocate on a residential basis will be considered.
• Verifiable track record of quantified yield and cost improvement, with references.
• Working knowledge of RSPO Principles & Criteria and of sustainability reporting expectations.
• Fluent English; French an advantage.

Key Skills & Competencies:

• Technical: soil and nutrition management, nursery and planting material, canopy and upkeep standards, plant protection, drainage and water management, replanting strategy.
• Operational: harvesting round discipline, labour and gang productivity systems, contractor management, in-field logistics, selective mechanisation.
• Commercial: bottom-up budgeting, cost-per-tonne discipline, capex justification, basic understanding of CPO price formation.
• Leadership: builds and retains teams in remote locations; effective with a large, largely unskilled workforce; visible in the field rather than office bound.
• Personal: resilience, integrity, cultural adaptability and comfort with the practical realities of a remote West African estate posting.

Candidate Profile:

• A field-first leader who spends most of the working week in the blocks.
• A systems builder rather than a caretaker of an already-running estate — this plantation is still being built.
• Able to deliver through Nigerian supervisors, contractors and host communities.
• Willing to be based on-estate; [family and single status both accommodated — to be confirmed].

Reference Number: EOI-0010

Expression of Interest – Professionals (Opportunities in Australia)

Job Description:

We are inviting Expressions of Interest from experienced Agricultural Technicians who may be interested in potential future opportunities in Australia across upcoming projects and operational roles.

This Expression of Interest is intended to create a talent pool for roles that may become available over the coming months and does not relate to a single, immediate vacancy. Opportunities may arise across farm operations, agribusinesses, and rural or remote environments, subject to project approvals, workforce planning requirements, and migration eligibility.

Suitable applicants may be considered for roles focused on the maintenance, diagnostics, repair, and technical support of agricultural machinery and farm equipment. Positions may support project development, construction support activities, and ongoing operational requirements, depending on business needs.

Responsibilities:

• Perform maintenance, servicing, and repair of agricultural machinery and farm equipment.
• Diagnose mechanical, electrical, and hydraulic faults using appropriate tools and techniques.
• Conduct preventative maintenance to ensure equipment reliability and minimise downtime.
• Interpret technical manuals, service schedules, and equipment specifications.
• Support day‑to‑day farm or agricultural operations through timely technical assistance.
• Work independently in rural or remote locations with minimal supervision.
• Ensure compliance with safety, biosecurity, and equipment standards.
• Maintain accurate maintenance records, service reports, and job documentation.
• Liaise with farm managers, contractors, and suppliers to resolve technical issues.
• Maintain a high standard of housekeeping and care of tools and equipment.

Requirements: Qualification and Skill

• Relevant qualifications in agricultural machinery, mechanical, or technical fields.
• Minimum 3–5 years’ experience supporting agricultural equipment or farm operations.
• Demonstrated experience in maintenance, diagnostics, and repair of agricultural machinery.
• Ability to work independently in rural or remote environments.
• Strong practical, technical, and problem‑solving skills.
• Awareness of workplace safety, biosecurity, and equipment compliance standards.
• Good communication skills and ability to work effectively with operational teams.
• Physically fit and capable of working in outdoor and farm‑based environments.

Visa Documentation Requirements:

• Valid passport
• Skills assessment – Trades Recognition Australia or VETASSES (mandatory for South African and Zimbabwean passport holders)
• Employment reference letters
• Academic and trade certificates
• English language test (IELTS / PTE or equivalent)
• Health examinations
• Police clearance certificates

Please visit www.camining.com for more exciting opportunities.

Daniel Scholtemeyer

Executive Talent Consultant

CA Mining

CA Mining will respond to short-listed candidates only. If you have not had any response in two weeks, please consider your application unsuccessful, however your CV will be kept on our database for any other suitable positions.