Job Description
Location: Zaria, Kaduna
Reports To: Seeds Quality Lead
Job Summary
- The Seeds Quality Associate will assist in ensuring high-quality seeds by managing field production, implementing quality control, conducting inspections, performing lab tests, ensuring regulatory compliance, and maintaining records, from seedling to harvest, working with growers and labs to meet standards for germination, purity, and viability, with a strong focus on agronomic best practices and data management.
- The preferred candidate is expected to ensure high-quality seeds are prepared for storage and distribution by performing quality checks and adhering to safety and regulatory standards, ensuring compliance with national and international standards, and maintaining accurate quality data to support production and sales.
Duties and Responsibilities
- Assist in planning and conducting field inspections for seed production plots.
- Monitor adherence to good agronomic practices (GAP), pest/disease control, and field isolation.
- Ensure timely and effective roguing (removal of off types).
- Collect field quality data and manage non-conformities.
- Assist in monitoring harvest moisture content (MC) and proper harvesting schedules.
- Coordinate seed sampling as per sampling plans.
- Perform quality analysis, including germination and viability tests.
- Ensure lab activities follow strict procedures and work instructions.
- Manage quality control processes and procedures.
- Ensure seed meets government, industry (e.g., NASC), and company standards.
- Assist with audits and manage corrective/preventive actions (CAPA).
- Manage seed lot numbering, identification, and traceability.
- Maintain accurate records of field activities, test results, and inventory.
- Generate regular reports.
- Utilize data for decision-making on production and inventory.
- Work with growers, outgrowers, and internal teams (agronomy, processing).
- Provide technical support and training to field teams on quality standards.
- Coordinate with seed processing, packaging, and storage teams.
- Any other duties as assigned to meet organisational requirements
Qualifications
Education, Training and Experience:
- HND qualification / B.Sc Degree in Agronomy, Crop Science, Plant Science, Biochemistry, Microbiology, or a related field
- Minimum of 2 year of working experience in seed production, quality control or field agronomy
Skills and Knowledge:
- Familiarity with seed certification, varietal purity, hybrid seeds system, etc.
- Excellent organizational skills
- Detail-oriented with a strong commitment to safety and quality
- Problem-solving mindset and ability to work under pressure
- Strong interpersonal skills and ability to work collaboratively in a team environment
- Passion for sustainability and environmental responsibility
- Computer skills including proficiency in MS Word, Excel and Powerpoint
- Ready to work in difficult environmental conditions
- Personal qualities of integrity, credibility and commitment to the Company’s mission
Competencies:
- Technical Proficiency
- Organisational Skills
- Record Keeping
- Quality Control
- Attention to Details
- Problem Solving and Analytical Skills
- Safety and Compliance
- Teamwork and Communication
- Physical Stamina
Working Conditions:
- Candidate should reside or be willing to reside in Zaria
- Full time work weekdays with occasional work, meetings and events during weekends and holidays.