JOB DETAILS:

Context/Scope:

Uganda Breweries LTD brews various beers and packages a number of spirits in a 1.1 m HL plant based at Port Bell Kampala and is operating in a competitive environment with other brewers in the country the major being Nile breweries.

Traditionally beer was made from malted barley and other materials imported from Europe. However, the harsh economic realities with limited foreign exchange reserves in the region saw a shift to an increasing use of brewing materials locally grown in the country. Barley, sorghum maize and cassava, all locally grown are the principal raw materials in the manufacture beer in Uganda. The agriculture department of UBL is tasked with the strategic role of providing good quality competitively priced brewing local raw materials (LRM) to meet supply requirements. To build on tax waivers on locally produced brewing raw materials, the LRM agenda supports UBL’s strategic activities, supports innovation, protect the quality of our brands and builds a competitive advantage for UBL.

This role reports to the Market Manager Agriculture Development and works closely with: UBL quality, procurement/sourcing, operations, corporate relations and finance departments, international counterparts, local farming groups, grain processors and handlers and transporters.

Dimensions

Financial:

Crop and material handling - barley grain, white sorghum grain, Local corn-starch (maize grits), seed barley, sorghum seed and agrochemicals.

Market Complexity:

UBL Agriculture unit operates in a difficult environment that as a result of Barley being a temperate crop can only be grown in limited areas of the country and as a result it is still not of sufficient quantity to satisfy demand. The role therefore operates in a highly competitive environment where various brewers and others are chasing the same available crop. Variable demand patterns motivated by the prevailing economic environment have in some instances resulted in oversupply of the crops (i.e. sorghum & maize flour). The role is involved in handling the fallout of this situation where farmers find themselves with a crop they have been persuaded to commit resources in the initial stages. Ugandan farmers are largely small scale with 1-2 acre plot holdings. Mechanization and modern agronomic practices are therefore difficult to maintain resulting to consistent quality of the crop. This also means the role holder has to travel long distances in difficult terrain every single day. Communication difficulties in the field (language, movement & reporting)

Leadership Responsibilities:

Position holds overall responsibility of providing direction to thousands of barley and sorghum growers working with sourcing agents and value chain actors.

Purpose of Role:

Provide technical agricultural extension services and guidance/support to UBL’s LRM growers and value chain actors to ensure timely delivery of competitively priced brewing local raw materials in required quantities and desired quality

Role Responsibilities

• Recruit growers and acreage to deliver agreed tonnage of cereals and other brewing starch sources (as tasked from time to time) of desired quantity and quality mainly barley, sorghum, maize and cassava
• Source raw materials in the most efficient manner at the same time keeping a good eye on quality.
• Identify and mitigate local raw material sourcing risks inclusive of short, mid, and long-term horizons.
• Discover and partner with trustworthy vendors and suppliers including diverse suppliers as well as devise strategies to develop/empower the suppliers.
• Deploy digital farming platforms to ensure smallholder farmers have accurate records and traceability is guaranteed in our sourcing regions.
• Provide technical agriculture extension services and post-harvest handling training to growers of the required brewing cereals and other brewing starch sources as tasked from time to time
• Work with relevant stakeholders, partners and value chain actors to ensure set targets are met on timely basis and carry out assessments to discover potential yields, adequacy / deficits and storage needs
• Ensure timely reporting and accurate management of company assets
• Implement and operate a safety agenda, risk assessment with mitigation plans and ensure full compliance of all local and applicable Diageo policies.
• Ensure company policies that relate to the agribusiness operations are fully explained and understood by local government authorities and community leaders.

Qualifications and Experience Required:

Qualifications:

• Bachelor of science degree in Agriculture (preferably crop science)

Experience:

• A minimum of three (3) years’ experience in cereal production preferably small grain cereals and at least (1) one year experience as an Agricultural Extension Worker/Research Officer.
• Knowledge of equipment used in the field planting, spraying and harvesting and post-harvest operations
• Knowledge of the legal implications of the crop contract growing, soil conservation and land tenure systems