Assistant Manager – Oil Palm, Area Expansion Manager

Job Title: Assistant Manager – Oil Palm, Area Expansion Manager

Work Level: WL1D

Work Location: Kamareddy , Telangana , India

Department: Procurement

Time Type: Full Time

Reporting Channel: Procurement Manager

About Unilever

With 3.4 billion people in over 190 countries using our products every day, Unilever is a business that makes a real impact on the world. Work on brands that are loved and improve the lives of our consumers and the communities around us. We are driven by our purpose: to make sustainable living commonplace, and it is our belief that doing business the right way drives superior performance. At the heart of what we do is our people – we believe that when our people work with purpose, we will create a better business and a better world.

At Unilever, your career will be a unique journey, grounded in our collaborative, and flexible working environment. Our organizational ambition centres around creating workplaces that foster equity, diversity, inclusion and belonging across all aspects of our business. We don’t believe in the ‘one size fits all’ approach and instead we will equip you with the tools you need to shape your own future.

Business Context

Hindustan Unilever Limited (HUL) has expanded its oil palm plantation efforts into Telangana by acquiring the palm undertaking in Kamareddy district This move is part of HUL's strategy to localize palm oil production and reduce dependency on imports. The initiative includes setting up sapling nurseries, collection centres for palm fresh fruit bunches, and a state-of-the-art palm oil mill. HUL will also implement a comprehensive farmer outreach program to provide technical assistance and promote sustainable farming practices

The Assistant Manager in the Oil Palm Division, Area Expansion will support the Procurement Manager in overseeing plantation operations and implementing best agronomic practices to achieve expansion targets. This role requires balancing cost, service, quality, innovation, and sustainability priorities to drive profitable growth in the category. The ideal candidate will thrive in managing these aspects while contributing to the strategic goals of the business.

Main Purpose of the Job

The Assistant Manager will play a crucial role in developing and executing the area expansion strategy for oil palm cultivation. This end-to-end role involves creating a robust framework to meet expansion targets, overseeing farmer engagement programs, and ensuring competitive costs, service, quality, innovation, and sustainability priorities are met. The manager will be responsible for driving the expansion efforts while maintaining strong relationships with farmers and ensuring the overall success of the business’s strategic goals.

Key Accountabilities

Farmer Engagement Operations:

• Develop and implement programs to educate farmers on best practices for oil palm cultivation.
• Conduct workshops and training sessions to enhance farmers’ knowledge and skills.
• Provide ongoing support and advice to farmers on crop management, pest control, and yield optimization.
• Address farmers’ concerns and provide solutions to their problems.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with farmers to ensure their active participation and cooperation.
• Facilitate communication between farmers and the company to ensure mutual benefits.
  
  

Field Force Team Setup

• Recruit field officers and supervisors to manage various plantation activities.
• Provide comprehensive training to the field force on agronomic practices, safety protocols, and company policies.
• Allocate tasks and responsibilities to the field force to ensure efficient operations.
• Monitor and evaluate the performance of the field force and provide feedback for improvement.
• Ensure the field force has the necessary tools, equipment, and resources to perform their duties effectively.
• Manage the distribution and maintenance of field resources.
  
  

Area Expansion Targets

• Develop and implement strategies for expanding the plantation area to meet company targets.
• Identify and evaluate potential land for expansion based on suitability for oil palm cultivation.
• Ensure the timely and efficient implementation of expansion plans.
• Monitor the progress of area expansion projects and address any challenges that arise.
  
  

Oil Palm Nursery Setup

• Identify Suitable land for Nursery Operations
• Plan and establish nurseries for the cultivation of high-quality oil palm seedlings.
• Ensure the selection of suitable supplier and the procurement of necessary materials.
• Oversee the planting, care, and maintenance of seedlings to ensure healthy growth.
• Implement pest and disease control measures to protect seedlings.
• Monitor the quality of seedlings and ensure they meet the required standards for transplantation.
• Conduct regular inspections and assessments of nursery operations.
  
  

Oil Palm Mill Setup

• Assist in the planning and construction of oil palm mills, ensuring they meet industry standards and regulations.
• Coordinate with contractors and suppliers to ensure timely completion of mill projects.
• Oversee the installation and commissioning of mill machinery and equipment.
• Ensure the mill is equipped with the necessary infrastructure for efficient processing.
• Implement best practices for oil extraction and processing to maximize yield and quality.
• Monitor mill operations and suggest improvements for efficiency and productivity.
  
  

Experience & Qualifications

• Education: Master’s or bachelor’s degree in Horticulture /Agriculture
• Experience :8 to 10 years of hands-on experience in Oil Palm Extension Activities
• Familiar with oil palm related activities
• Experience in coordinating and influencing farmers, liaising with Govt Dept.
  
  

Skills Required

• In dept knowledge of Oil Palm cultivation, including planting, fertilization, pest and disease management and harvesting practices
• Ability to develop and implement effective strategies for area expansion to meet expansion targets
• Ability to multi-task, meet tight deadlines
• The ability to effectively lead and engage cross functional teams and a willingness to take responsibility and accountability
• Self-motivated with the ability to adapt to changing priorities of business and deliver results in changing environments
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills to effectively engage with farmers, team member and stakeholders
• Strong analytical skills for drawing insights from data and conceptual problem – solving ability.