Background

Seed Co Malawi Limited invites applications from suitably qualified candidates for the position of Head of Supply Chain.

Reporting to the Managing Director (with a dotted line to the Group Supply Chain Director), this role leads end-to-end supply chain operations—spanning seed production, processing, warehousing, logistics, and Quality Assurance—to deliver volumes safely, on time in full (OTIF), within budgeted COGS, and to required quality standards.

The role collaborates closely with internal and external stakeholders to align operations with business strategy, regulatory requirements, and market demand, while coordinating with other group locations within a centralized global supply chain. It also establishes effective operational frameworks, drives team performance, and fosters a strong safety culture across the organization.

Qualifications

• BSc Degree in Crop Science or Agriculture Management
• MSc Degree in Agriculture is an added advantage
• Master’s in business administration/ Master of Science Strategic Management/MBL

Experience

• 8 Years working experience within a seed business or related field with at least three years at a senior leadership level

Key Responsibilities:

A. Seed Production Strategy & Execution

• Develop and implement the production strategy, delivering production contracting, planting, and delivery plans in line with signed performance contracts and demand forecasts.
• Manage the parent seed program, build a reliable grower base, execute the irrigated hectare expansion plan, and implement parent seed bulking and best agronomic practices.
• Ensure full compliance with regulatory, internal, and international standards and guarantee seed quality (Parent seed ≥95% GPT; Certified seed ≥95%).
• Collaborate across processing, QA, logistics, and sales marketing to achieve On-Time-In-Full (OTIF) delivery.
• Establish yourself as a key technical leader across the seed value chain, driving innovation and operational excellence.

B. Seed Production Research (SPR)

• Establish and operationalize the SPR unit for maize and other relevant crops, ensuring adequate resourcing to deliver seasonal workplans and productivity targets.
• Execute the approved SPR workplan, optimizing planting windows/slots, plant populations, planting patterns, crop protection, and input chemistry.
• Monitor and benchmark SPR performance against other production locations to drive continuous improvement.

C. Seed Processing Operations

• Ensure timely and efficient seed processing and packaging while maintaining all equipment and machinery in optimal working conditions.
• Guarantee processed seed meets market and quality standards and align operations with GPS initiatives.
• Optimize resources, implement strict controls to prevent losses or misuse, and benchmark processing performance internally and externally against best-in-class operations.

D. Logistics & Supply Chain Management

• Coordinate all local and international logistics to ensure smooth operations and timely seed movement for both parent and certified seed.
• Plan and execute seed imports at least two months before planting, ensuring timely closure through submission of Importer Confirmatory Results (ICR)

E. Strategic Alignment (GPS Framework)

• Develop and implement strategies aligned with the GPS 10-year and group strategy.
• Track and report quarterly on all supply chain and production initiatives.

F. Safety, Health, Environment (SHE) & Security

• Implement sustainable SHE programs across farm and processing operations.
• Develop and enforce systems to ensure security of Employees, Production fields, Seed stocks and facilities and Intellectual property and company assets

G. Financial & Operational Management

• Develop and manage functional budgets, monitor and optimize COGS in line with GPS targets.
• Maintain accurate operational records and asset registers, ensuring timely and accurate performance reporting.

H. Leadership & Continuous Improvement

• Implement people development programs while driving innovation, continuous improvement, and operational excellence across the value chain.

The Ideal Person Should Have the Following Attributes:

• Technical Expertise: Agronomy, certified seed production, contract farming management, post-harvest handling and processing.
• Leadership & People Management: Strategic leadership, people skills, stakeholder engagement.
• Compliance & Integrity: Regulatory and compliance acumen, integrity, and accountability.
• Operational Excellence: Continuous improvement, problem-solving, financial and business acumen.
• Communication: Effective verbal and written communication.

• Develop and implement the production strategy, delivering production contracting, planting, and delivery plans in line with signed performance contracts and demand forecasts.
• Manage the parent seed program, build a reliable grower base, execute the irrigated hectare expansion plan, and implement parent seed bulking and best agronomic practices.
• Ensure full compliance with regulatory, internal, and international standards and guarantee seed quality (Parent seed ≥95% GPT; Certified seed ≥95%).
• Collaborate across processing, QA, logistics, and sales marketing to achieve On-Time-In-Full (OTIF) delivery.
• Establish yourself as a key technical leader across the seed value chain, driving innovation and operational excellence.
• Establish and operationalize the SPR unit for maize and other relevant crops, ensuring adequate resourcing to deliver seasonal workplans and productivity targets.
• Execute the approved SPR workplan, optimizing planting windows/slots, plant populations, planting patterns, crop protection, and input chemistry.
• Monitor and benchmark SPR performance against other production locations to drive continuous improvement.
• Ensure timely and efficient seed processing and packaging while maintaining all equipment and machinery in optimal working conditions.
• Guarantee processed seed meets market and quality standards and align operations with GPS initiatives.
• Optimize resources, implement strict controls to prevent losses or misuse, and benchmark processing performance internally and externally against best-in-class operations.
• Coordinate all local and international logistics to ensure smooth operations and timely seed movement for both parent and certified seed.
• Plan and execute seed imports at least two months before planting, ensuring timely closure through submission of Importer Confirmatory Results (ICR)
• Develop and implement strategies aligned with the GPS 10-year and group strategy.
• Track and report quarterly on all supply chain and production initiatives.
• Implement sustainable SHE programs across farm and processing operations.
• Develop and enforce systems to ensure security of Employees, Production fields, Seed stocks and facilities and Intellectual property and company assets
• Develop and manage functional budgets, monitor and optimize COGS in line with GPS targets.
• Maintain accurate operational records and asset registers, ensuring timely and accurate performance reporting.
• Implement people development programs while driving innovation, continuous improvement, and operational excellence across the value chain.

• Agronomy
• Certified seed production
• Contract farming management
• Post-harvest handling and processing
• Strategic leadership
• People skills
• Stakeholder engagement
• Regulatory and compliance acumen
• Integrity
• Accountability
• Continuous improvement
• Problem-solving
• Financial acumen
• Business acumen
• Effective verbal and written communication

• BSc Degree in Crop Science or Agriculture Management
• MSc Degree in Agriculture is an added advantage
• Master’s in business administration/ Master of Science Strategic Management/MBL
• 8 Years working experience within a seed business or related field with at least three years at a senior leadership level