Chief Operations Officer at Agriarche Limited

Agriarche is a leading Agri-Tech company, committed to providing innovative solutions in the Agric space. We pride ourselves on fostering a collaborative and dynamic work environment that encourages growth and professional development. Join our team and be part of a company that values integrity, innovation, and excellence.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Chief Operations Officer

Location: Abuja (FCT)
Employment Type: Full Time
Job Category: Business Operations

Job Profile

• As Agriarche Limited continues to thrive and expand, we are excited to announce an opportunity to further enhance the strength and diversity of our management team.
• We are seeking a visionary, hands-on Chief Operating Officer (COO) to join our executive leadership team.
• The COO will be responsible for scaling and optimizing our operations, translating strategy into actionable goals, and driving performance and growth across all business functions.

Key Responsibilities
Strategic Leadership:

• Collaborative Vision Setting: Work closely with the CEO and executive team to co-create and refine the company’s long-term vision and roadmap. This includes setting ambitious yet achievable goals for product innovation, market penetration, and social impact.
• Strategic Planning & Execution: Translate high-level strategy into actionable operational plans with clear milestones and KPIs. Lead quarterly and annual planning cycles, ensuring alignment across departments and geographies.
• Business Model Optimization: Continuously evaluate and evolve the company’s operating model to improve scalability, profitability, and sustainability. Identify opportunities for vertical integration, revenue diversification, and geographic expansion.
• New Market & Product Strategy: Lead the exploration and entry into new markets—whether that means launching services in new regions, introducing complementary products, or forming strategic partnerships with cooperatives, input suppliers, or off takers.
• Risk & Competitive Landscape Management: Anticipate shifts in market dynamics, competitor activities, and regulatory environments.
  Design agile strategies that allow the company to navigate uncertainties, capitalize on emerging trends (e.g., climate-smart agriculture, regenerative practices), and maintain a competitive edge.
• Board & Investor Engagement: Collaborate with the CEO to prepare strategic updates, operational forecasts, and performance reports for the Board of Directors and key investors. Play a visible role in fundraising, strategic partnerships, and stakeholder communications.

Operational Management:

• Organizational Design & Process Architecture: Design and continuously refine a scalable operational framework that supports both rapid growth and regional customization. Develop clear reporting lines, decision-making hierarchies, and cross-functional workflows that promote agility and accountability.
• Integrated Department Oversight: Provide hands-on leadership and coordination across all operational departments, including: Supply Chain, Product Delivery & Field Operations, Agronomy & Farmer Support Services, Customer Service & Experience.
• Operational Efficiency & Cost Control: Monitor and optimize key metrics such as delivery time, input cost ratios, service uptake, customer retention, and team productivity. Identify inefficiencies, eliminate bottlenecks, and drive continuous improvement through lean methodologies or Six Sigma practices.
• Tech-Driven Operations: Leverage digital tools (e.g., ERP systems, field management software, real-time dashboards) to automate processes, monitor field activities, and generate actionable insights from operational data.
• Compliance & Governance: Ensure all operational practices comply with agricultural regulations, food safety standards, and labor laws. Lead audits and implement SOPs related to environmental sustainability, input handling, farmer data privacy, and occupational safety.
• Sustainability & ESG Integration: Embed environmental, social, and governance (ESG) principles into the core of operational strategy e.g., reducing carbon footprint, optimizing water use, promoting ethical sourcing, and ensuring gender-inclusive practices in field programs.
• Contingency & Crisis Management: Develop and maintain contingency plans for operational risks such as supply disruptions, crop failures, technology outages, or regulatory changes. Lead crisis response efforts to minimize disruption and maintain business continuity.

Technology & Innovation:

• Operational-Tech Alignment: Collaborate with the CTO, Product, and Data teams to ensure operational priorities and challenges are translated into scalable tech solutions. Act as the bridge between field realities and digital product development.
• Innovation Pipeline Management: Establish a process for testing, piloting, and scaling innovative tools or practices from regenerative agriculture models and climate-smart farming to AI-driven crop diagnostics and fintech-enabled agri-services.
• Data-Driven Decision Making: Ensure the collection and analysis of operational data (e.g., yields, logistics, customer satisfaction) to inform real-time decisions, improve outcomes, and predict future trends.
• Tech Training & Change Management: Drive adoption of technology across field and back-office teams by embedding digital literacy, offering training programs, and managing transitions through user-centered implementation plans.
• Innovation Partnerships: Identify and manage partnerships with AgriTech startups, research institutions, development agencies, and tech providers to stay at the forefront of agricultural innovation.

Team Leadership & Culture:

• People Strategy & Organizational Development: Develop and implement a talent strategy aligned with the company’s mission, scaling needs, and cultural values. This includes organizational structuring, succession planning, and workforce planning.
• Leadership Development: Mentor senior managers and department heads, fostering leadership at every level. Build a culture of ownership, continuous learning, and empowerment.
• Performance Management: Set performance expectations and KPIs for teams, with regular reviews and feedback mechanisms. Introduce OKRs or balanced scorecards to align team goals with company objectives.
• Cross-Functional Coordination: Facilitate collaboration between departments (e.g., Operations, Sales, Tech, Agronomy) through structured communication channels, team rituals, and project-based working models.

Partnerships & Growth Enablement:

• Strategic Ecosystem Development: Build and nurture high-value partnerships across the agricultural value chain—including input manufacturers, cooperatives, financial institutions, agri-processors, logistics providers, NGOs, and government agencies to amplify reach and operational efficiency.
• Supplier & Vendor Management: Establish strong supplier relationships to ensure the availability, quality, and cost-effectiveness of agricultural inputs and services. Negotiate favorable terms and drive vendor performance management to meet evolving business needs.
• Government & Regulatory Relations: Collaborate with government bodies and regulators to stay ahead of policy changes, ensure compliance, and advocate for enabling policies related to agritech adoption, data governance, sustainable practices, and rural development.
• Programmatic Growth with Development Partners: Secure and manage collaborations with development agencies, donor organizations,
  and impact investors to co-create programs that align commercial viability with social and environmental outcomes.
• Brand Representation & Thought Leadership: Represent the company at industry forums, investor meetings, and ecosystem events to build credibility, attract strategic allies, and position the brand as a leader in agritech innovation.

Financial Oversight:

• Budget Planning & Resource Allocation: Partner with the CFO and finance team to lead the company’s annual and quarterly budgeting processes. Translate strategic goals into cost operational plans, ensuring budgets are aligned with company priorities, growth phases, and performance targets.
• Cost Efficiency & Margin Optimization: Identify opportunities to streamline operations, reduce unit costs, and improve gross margins—whether through optimizing supply chain logistics, improving vendor terms, or eliminating redundant processes. Continuously analyze cost centers to ensure responsible and sustainable spending.
• Financial Forecasting & Scenario Modeling: Lead forecasting activities for operations, including demand planning, supply chain costs, and workforce requirements. Run scenario models to test the financial implications of different growth strategies, product rollouts, or market expansion plans.
• KPI & Performance Metrics Management: Define, monitor, and report on critical financial and operational KPIs such as customer acquisition cost (CAC), contribution margin per region or product, return on capital deployed (ROCD), and EBITDA performance. Use these metrics to guide decision-making and course corrections.
• Capital Allocation & Project Prioritization: Evaluate operational initiatives, product developments, or market entries through a return-on-investment (ROI) lens. Help prioritize projects that offer the greatest strategic and financial returns.
• Internal Controls & Governance: Support the development and enforcement of financial controls, procurement policies, and approval workflows. Ensure transparency and compliance in all resource-related decision-making.

Requirements
Educational Qualification:

• Bachelor's Degree in Agriculture, Business, Engineering, or related fields. MBA or relevant postgraduate qualification is a plus.

Experience:

• Minimum 5-7 years in operational leadership, with at least 3 years in a C-suite role.
• Proven experience in agriculture, agribusiness, supply chain, or a related
  technology-driven sector.
• Experience in high-growth startups or scaling business environments preferred.

Skills:

• Strong strategic thinking with an execution-first mindset.
• Exceptional operational, analytical, and leadership capabilities.
• Deep understanding of agricultural ecosystems and challenges in emerging markets.

Traits:

• Mission-driven, agile, and impact-oriented.
• Excellent communicator with stakeholder management skills.
• Willingness to travel to rural/agricultural sites as needed.

Why Join Us?

• Be at the forefront of transforming agriculture through innovation.
• Work with a purpose-driven team that values collaboration and integrity.
• Competitive compensation, equity participation, and leadership influence.
• Opportunity to drive real impact in the lives of farmers and agri-enterprises.

Application Closing Date
Not Specified.

Method of Application
Interested and qualified candidates should forward their Resume and a Cover Letter outlining their qualifications and experience to: careers@agriarche.com using “Chief Operations
Officer” as the subject of the email.