GILBERT MUTHURI KIAMBI
AGRICULTURAL OPERATIONS DIRECTOR
THIKA
Summary
I am a dedicated, organized, passionate and methodical individual with 34 years’ experience in pineapple farming at the Del Monte Kenya Limited and Sierra Tropical (Dole) Limited – Sierra Leone. I have good interpersonal skills, am an excellent team worker and am keen and very willing to learn and develop new skills. I am reliable and dependable and often seek new responsibilities within a wide range of employment areas. I have an active and dynamic approach to work and getting things done. I am determined and decisive. I identify and develop opportunities. I have a creative mind and am always up for new challenges. I am well organized and always plan ahead to make sure I manage my time well. I am a punctual and motivated individual who is able to work in a busy environment and produce high standards of work. I am an excellent team worker and am able to take instructions from all levels and build up good working relationships with all colleagues. I am flexible, reliable and possess excellent time keeping skills.
To work in a challenging and dynamic position in an agricultural growing and production/agricultural machinery manufacturing company in a view of integrating creativity, innovation, team work, and research to provide practical ways forward that will map comprehensive strategies for organization development.
Overview
26
26
years of professional experience
Work History
Agricultural Operations Director
Sierra Tropical Limited
01.2024 - Current
- Strategic leadership in planning, organizing and controlling Agricultural activities with other company directors.
- Managing a labour force of about 2000 employees from land acquisition from communities, preparation to harvesting of pineapples in a 1400-hectare farm in Sierra Leone.
- Involved in training local staff in all the standard operating procedures in pineapple production.
- Preparing annual operating budget in conjunction with finance department.
- Managing an annual operating budget of over US$7 million and achieving an overall saving of about 5% by introducing new operation technologies.
Zonal Agriculture Manager
Del Monte Kenya Ltd
01.2023 - Current
- Plan, lead, organize & control in coordination with other Agri. Department Managers and their staff all activities related to GAP, Land Preparation, Planting, Cultural Maintenance.
- Directs the preparation of Agri. Division Capital Budgets. Conducts periodic monitoring and review with other Department Managers.
- Coordinating and scheduling of daily zonal activities and manage an employee.
- Preparing zone budget in conjunction with the Senior Department Heads.
- Chairing meeting with Research team to discuss research technical reports affecting farm operation production procedures.
- Chairing meetings with the store department teams to manage and control of chemicals and material stock levels.
- Chairing and coordinating the internal auditing team responsible for impromptu auditing activities to ensure adherence to accreditations of Sustainable agriculture certification and global gap certification.
- Chairing the monthly zonal health and safety meeting and ensuring timely implementation and resolution of matters arising.
- Ensuring efficient and effective deployment and use of equipment and labour in various agricultural tasks.
- Ensures adherence to various managements which Del Monte Kenya subscribes to e.g. Global Gap, Sustainably Grown Certification, Business Ethics, ISO 9001 and SA 8000.
- Supplier contract supervision and implementation and adherence to set KPIs.
Senior Department Head (SDH) Land Preparation, Culture and Diversification
Del Monte Kenya Ltd
01.2012 - 01.2022
- Approval of Stores Requisitions and stores Credit Notes for materials.
- Approval of daily equipment allocation and status report.
- Liaising with agricultural workshop for equipment repairs.
- Assigning equipment, labour and materials to various land preparation skills.
- Ensuring optimal productivity is achieved in every operation and correct material usage rate is achieved.
- Conducting routine training on various land preparation operations at the start of every season.
- Preparing Purchase Requisitions in conjunction with the land preparation superintendent.
- Ensuring that the environmental health and safety standards are adhered to in all operations.
- Setting up priority activities to the foreman.
- Monitoring and ensuring that all research recommendations are implemented as approved.
- Carrying out analysis of all activity’s performance.
Land Preparation Department Head
Del Monte (K) Ltd
01.2003 - 01.2011
- In charge of Land Preparation Department.
- Approval of delivery notes for release of materials to the field.
- Authorizing the issuance of personal protective equipment.
- Enforcing observation of environmental health and safety standards.
- Ensuring that sufficient mulching materials are availed to the mulching lead man in the field.
- Monitoring and controlling availability of land preparation machinery basis.
- Coordination of several land preparation activities in a given field. decision-making.
- Identifying training needs for operators and employees.
- Ensuring that all necessary productivity, performance and material usage records are maintained.
Land Preparation Department Supervisor
Del Monte (K) Limited
01.2000 - 01.2002
- Coordinated land preparation activities in the field to ensure timely and efficient operations.
- Prepared detailed reports and shaded production maps to support decision-making and operational planning.
- Reviewed and approved equipment performance logs to ensure compliance with operational standards.
- Preparing shutdown reports for all equipment at the end of the season.
- Compiling field history report.
- Assigned operators to specific equipment based on skills and operational needs.
Education
BSC - Procurement and Contract Management
Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture And Technology
Juja, Kiambu, Kenya01-2022
Bachelor in Procurement And Contract Management - Agricultural Engineering
Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture And Technology
Kiambu 04.2001 -
Skills
Agricultural management
GIS analysis
Crop management
Leadership Development
Operational Efficiency
Farm profitability analysis
Stakeholder Engagement
Data Analysis Tools
Farm management expertise
Farm machinery management
Other Professional Training and Seminars
- Occupational Health and Safety Training Certification.
- Consultant for Effective training participation.
- Accident/incident investigation seminar Del Monte, Thika.
- Training in Introduction to computer.
- Attended occupational first AID standard course.
- Internal Auditing Social Accountability and Quality Management System- SGS-SSC.
- Certificate in Professional Development- MICAS Ltd Safety and Health Industry.
- Certificate of participation- Leadership Skills Management.
- Certificate of Proficiency- Safe use of pesticides, Agrochemicals Association of Kenya.
- Overseas visit- NAPO South Africa.
Timeline
Agricultural Operations Director
Sierra Tropical Limited
01.2024 - Current
Zonal Agriculture Manager
Del Monte Kenya Ltd
01.2023 - Current
Senior Department Head (SDH) Land Preparation, Culture and Diversification
Del Monte Kenya Ltd
01.2012 - 01.2022
Land Preparation Department Head
Del Monte (K) Ltd
01.2003 - 01.2011
Bachelor in Procurement And Contract Management - Agricultural Engineering
Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture And Technology
04.2001 -
Land Preparation Department Supervisor
Del Monte (K) Limited
01.2000 - 01.2002
BSC - Procurement and Contract Management
Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture And Technology