Agronomist Manager

Job Description

About Us - O International (Coffee Plantation) is a Lao company operating in Champasak, Laos, specializing in coffee plantation, production, processing, trading and both local and export sales. Our team is led by experienced expatriate professionals with global expertise in the coffee industry. - We are part of Lao Asean Leasing Public Company (LALCO), one of Laos's largest privately owned conglomerates with interests in finance, agriculture, natural resources, and real estate - Position Title: Agronomist Manager - Job Purpose: As a key leader within our organization, the Agronomist Manager will be fully in charge of overseeing the cultivation and processing of coffee, ensuring both operational excellence, maximum productivity and sustainability. This role is not simply advisory - it requires a proactive leader who can set direction, define and achieve targets, allocate resources and budgets, and drive the team towards short-term and long-term goals. The Agronomist Manager will also collaborate with external consultants, ensuring readiness for organic or regenerative farming conversion and managing certification processes as needed. - Work Location: Paksong, Champasak Province, Lao-PDR Key Responsibilities - Strategic Leadership \& Planning - Develop and execute a clear agronomy and processing strategy, aligned with company goals. - Set short-term and long-term targets for yield, quality, and sustainability, and be accountable for achieving them. - Propose strategies for improvement, expansion and capital investments and allocate resources, assign tasks, and manage budgets effectively. - Team Leadership \& Management - Lead and mentor the agronomy and processing teams, fostering a collaborative and results-driven culture. - Establish clear responsibilities and expectations for staff performance. Full Ownership of Cultivation \& Processing - Oversee all aspects of coffee cultivation: - planting, nutrition, pest/disease management, irrigation, and harvesting. - Supervise post-harvest processes including wet and dry milling, ensuring quality and consistency at both in-house facilities as well as coordinating with external factories. - Innovation \& Continuous Improvement - Integrate knowledge from trials and best practices to improve productivity and resilience. - Collaborate with external consultants to support possible future transitions to organic or regenerative practices. - Certification \& Compliance - Manage certification processes (e.g., Organic, Rainforest Alliance, Fair Trade) as required by management decisions. - Ensure compliance with international sustainability standards. - Data \& Performance Management - Maintain accurate records of cultivation, yields, inputs, and processing data utilizing the company's management software. - Suggest internal and external tests needed and analyze data to inform decisions and continuously improve performance. Qualifications \& Requirements: - Bachelor's or Master's degree in Agronomy, Crop Science, Horticulture, or a related field. - Minimum 5\+ years of leadership experience in coffee. - Proven ability to lead teams, allocate resources, and drive results. - Strong understanding of tropical agriculture, soil science, and plant nutrition. - Familiarity with sustainability certifications and readiness for organic or regenerative transitions. - Experience working with external consultants and managing certification processes. - Fluent in English; knowledge of local languages is highly preferred. - Willingness to work in rural or remote areas and travel between farm sites. Preferred Attributes: - Passion for coffee, rural development, and environmental sustainability. - Excellent communication and interpersonal skills. - Hands-on, problem-solving mindset with a proactive approach. - Respectful and culturally sensitive towards local farming communities. - Why Join Us? - Competitive salary and accommodation provided. - Opportunities for growth and development, supported by international experts. - Be part of a dynamic, innovative team driving excellence in coffee production - Please submit CV / Application in English only. - Contact Us: Email: s-arikawa@uni-corn.co.jp; thetsu.h@lalco.la - Job Type: Full-time - Work Location: In person