Technical Agronomist

SUMMARY:
Our Client, a leading strategic partner operating in the Agri Sector, offering farmers a reliable way to enhance their yield in an ever increasingly unpredictable agricultural landscape; is seeking to employ a qualified and experienced Technical Agronomist to join their team based in Airport City, Cape Town.

PURPOSE OF THE ROLE:

1. To support the development, execution, and interpretation of agronomic trials that enhance product performance, generate scientific insight, and inform marketing and commercial strategies.
2. The role involves close collaboration with clients, research partners and internal teams to ensure high-quality data generation, technical service delivery, and the effective positioning of Afrikelp products and crop solutions.

POSITION INFO:
Requirements:

• MSc or PhD in Agriculture, Plant Science, Plant Pathology, Plant Breeding, or a related field (required).
• AVCASA in Crop Protection and/or BASOS/FERTASA certification (preferred).
• SACNASP registration or eligibility will be advantageous.
• 3–5 years of experience in agronomic research or a technical role within the agricultural sector.
• Proven experience designing and conducting agricultural trials.
• Demonstrated involvement in writing or contributing to scientific publications; authorship of peer-reviewed articles will be advantageous.
• Proficient in R/R Studio or similar statistical analysis tools.
• Strong knowledge of plant nutrition, crop production systems, and soil science.
• Experience working with liquid seaweed biostimulants is highly beneficial.
• Familiarity with GIS, remote sensing, and precision agriculture tools.
• Valid driver’s licence.

• Strong critical thinking and data interpretation abilities.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Capable of working both independently and within a team.
• Willingness to travel extensively and work in field conditions.
• Highly organised, proactive, and detail-oriented.
• Comfortable presenting technical information to both scientific and commercial audiences.

• Plan, execute, and manage controlled agronomic trials across various crops.
• Develop detailed protocols and SOPs based on current scientific literature and best practices.
• Manage internal teams to ensure data quality, adherence to protocols, and timely delivery of results.
• Perform rigorous data analysis using statistical software (especially R/RStudio) to extract meaningful insights.
• Ensure trial data is presented in a scientifically sound, visually compelling, and commercially relevant format.

• Provide agronomic and technical support to farmers, distributors, and internal teams.
• Translate trial data and research findings into practical on-farm recommendations.
• Investigate and resolve technical product queries or client complaints, producing clear and detailed reports.
• Maintain strong relationships with strategic partners, distributors, growers, and relevant industry bodies. 

• Stay abreast of emerging trends in plant science, soil health, crop nutrition, and biostimulants—particularly seaweed extracts.
• Contribute to internal product development initiatives and support expansion of existing offerings.
• Present findings at industry events, internal meetings, and scientific platforms.
• Collaborate on written content for peer-reviewed journals, popular articles, and technical bulletins.

• Work closely with the Applied Science Manager and other internal stakeholders to align research priorities with company goals.
• Support the marketing and sales teams by providing technical input for campaigns and training sessions.
• Contribute to the company's broader innovation and sustainability goals through ongoing professional development and cross-department collaboration.
• Responsible for managing and overseeing department interns, including allocation of tasks, on‑the‑job training, and ongoing supervision.