Background information about the job or company

Local Buy Ltd is seeking a Sourcing & Contracting Officer for its Dry Division, with support to the Fresh Division. This role reports to the Senior Commercial Officer.

Responsibilities or duties

Key Responsibilities

• Identify, engage, and onboard reliable farmers/suppliers for dry grains, seeds, and root/tubers.
• Negotiate and draft contracts for procurement, including outgrower/contract farming agreements.
• Provide extension services, agronomic advice, training, and support to contract farmers to improve yields and quality.
• Monitor farmer performance, compliance with contracts, and quality standards.
• Conduct market research on sourcing opportunities, prices, and risks.
• Coordinate with selling centers (Mchinji, Kasungu, Dedza, Ntcheu) and logistics for timely collection/delivery.
• Support expansion by identifying new sourcing areas and farmer groups.

Qualifications or requirements

Qualifications and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Agriculture, Agribusiness, Agronomy, or related field.
• 5+ years in agricultural sourcing, contract farming, or procurement in agribusiness.
• Experience providing extension services or working with smallholder farmers in Malawi.
• Practical knowledge of maize, legumes, and root & tuber value chains.
• Willingness to travel extensively to selling centres and farming communities.

Key Skills

• Strong negotiation, farmer engagement, and field coordination skills.
• Knowledge of agronomic practices for grains, seeds, and root/tubers.
• Ability to travel to rural areas and selling centers.

• Identify, engage, and onboard reliable farmers/suppliers for dry grains, seeds, and root/tubers.
• Negotiate and draft contracts for procurement, including outgrower/contract farming agreements.
• Provide extension services, agronomic advice, training, and support to contract farmers to improve yields and quality.
• Monitor farmer performance, compliance with contracts, and quality standards.
• Conduct market research on sourcing opportunities, prices, and risks.
• Coordinate with selling centers (Mchinji, Kasungu, Dedza, Ntcheu) and logistics for timely collection/delivery.
• Support expansion by identifying new sourcing areas and farmer groups.

• Strong negotiation, farmer engagement, and field coordination skills.
• Knowledge of agronomic practices for grains, seeds, and root/tubers.
• Ability to travel to rural areas and selling centers.

• Bachelor’s degree in Agriculture, Agribusiness, Agronomy, or related field.
• 5+ years in agricultural sourcing, contract farming, or procurement in agribusiness.
• Experience providing extension services or working with smallholder farmers in Malawi.
• Practical knowledge of maize, legumes, and root & tuber value chains.
• Willingness to travel extensively to selling centres and farming communities.