Background

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.

Job Summary

Responsible for sourcing agricultural commodities (dry grains like maize, soya, beans, groundnuts; certified seeds; and root/tubers for processing), contracting farmers, and providing extension services to ensure reliable, high-quality supply chains.

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 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.