Mechanisation Specialist- Meru at FinAgra in Meru, Kenya

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    Mechanisation Specialist- Meru

    FinAgraMeru, Kenya

    Posted

    4 days ago

    Apply by

    2 Sept

    Full Time
    On Site
    Mid
    Agriculture & Agribusiness
    Engineering & Technology

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    Job Description

    FinAgra delivers mechanised field operations — land preparation, planting, crop protection, spreading and harvesting — through contracted service providers on REP and leased land. The Mechanisation Specialist is the technical owner of machinery standards, ensuring every contracted machine meets specifications, assessing and certifying completed work, and building a vetted service-provider list with Field Officers.

    Key Responsibilities

    • Own and maintain the required machinery specifications for each activity, aligned to SOPs and contracts; translate agronomic requirements into verifiable equipment/operating specs for RFQs and SLAs.
    • Inspect contracted tractors/implements against the Equipment Inspection Checklist before mobilisation; certify or reject; share requirements with providers in advance.
    • Verify equipment meets spec in field conditions (working depth, calibration) before work starts; technically assess and approve any scope/spec change.
    • Assess completed work against contracted spec and quality standards (depth, coverage, uniformity, ridge geometry, calibration, acreage, finish).
    • Issue/sign off Work Completion Certificate (WCC) only for compliant work; withhold and require zero-cost rework for substandard work.
    • Provide technical basis for KPI reviews at each WCC; enforce mobilisation 48hr and breakdown-backup 24hr terms; investigate incidents and drive preventive action.
    • Work with Field Officers to build per-cluster list of service providers; assess each provider's machinery against specs; compile qualified list and share with Procurement.
    • Train Field Officers to inspect machinery, assess work and enforce SOP/checklist adherence; coach providers to lift network quality.
    • Give Procurement Manager technical specs for RFQs/SLAs, assessed provider lists, and technical evaluations; advise on machinery selection, capacity and seasonal needs.
    • Maintain equipment, provider-assessment, inspection and WCC records in ERP and farm management system; report machinery performance and risk to leadership (Excel, Slack).

    Required Qualifications

    • Degree/Diploma in Agricultural Engineering, Agricultural Mechanization, Farm Power & Machinery, Mechanical Engineering (agricultural application) or related.
    • Experience with farm-machinery operations, specifications, calibration and maintenance; commercial/contracted mechanization ideal, across tillage, seeding/planting, spraying and spreading.
    • Familiarity with Kenyan service providers and field conditions is an advantage.
    • Strong command of machine operations and the optimal standard per activity (depth, speed, rate/spacing, calibration, ridge geometry, finish); able to assess both machinery specs and completed-work quality against the standard.
    • Equipment inspection, calibration and basic troubleshooting.
    • Tech-savvy with a farm management system, ERP equipment master, inspection, WCC, Excel, Slack and digital checklists; drone/precision-ag and GPS/RTK an advantage.
    • Able to write SOPs, checklists and training materials; aware of chemical safe-use and KCAA drone compliance.
    • Trainer/mentor who builds Field-Officer and provider capability; firm on standards with integrity — assesses work objectively and resists pressure to certify substandard work; field-ready (most time on farms); driving an advantage.
    • Fluent in English and Kiswahili with clear records and training; organised and self-directed across multiple clusters.
    • Full-time. Sits within the Agronomy & Operations team, field-based across FinAgra's clusters with frequent travel.

    Job Details

    Job Function

    Engineering & Technology

    Minimum Experience

    3 years

    Education Level

    Bachelor’s Degree

    Area of Study

    Engineering

    Field of Study

    Agricultural Engineering

    Languages

    English, Kiswahili

    Additional Information

    How to Apply: Visit the application link provided on this page to submit your application.

    Prove You Can Enforce Machinery Standards in the Field

    This role lives at the intersection of agronomy, operations, and procurement — you'll be the person who decides whether a machine is fit for purpose and whether completed work meets the standard. Hiring managers will probe your hands-on experience with farm equipment, your ability to write clear specs, and your integrity under pressure.

    1. Show your machinery spec mastery: On your CV, list specific equipment types you've worked with (tractors, planters, sprayers) and the key parameters you've managed — depth, speed, calibration. Give an example of a time you caught a spec deviation before it cost the farm.

    2. Highlight your SOP and checklist writing: Bring samples of any SOPs, checklists, or training materials you've created. This role requires translating agronomic needs into verifiable specs, so show you can write clear, practical documents.

    3. Prepare for scenario questions on WCC decisions: Be ready to explain how you'd handle a service provider pushing for certification on substandard work. They want to see you hold the line without damaging relationships.

    4. Demonstrate your training ability: Talk about a time you trained field staff or contractors and saw measurable improvement. This role is as much about building capability as it is about technical inspection.

    5. Show your tech comfort: Be specific about your experience with farm management systems, ERP equipment modules, Excel, Slack, and digital checklists. If you've used GPS/RTK or drones, mention that — it's a plus.

    6. Understand Kenyan field conditions: Research common machinery issues in Meru and other clusters. Mention your familiarity with local service providers and terrain challenges — it shows you're ready to hit the ground running.

    7. Prepare for a practical assessment: You may be asked to inspect a machine or assess a work sample. Review calibration methods and quality standards for tillage, planting, spraying, and harvesting.

    8. Emphasise your integrity and firmness: This role requires resisting pressure to certify substandard work. Share a story where you stood by quality standards even when it was unpopular — that's the kind of backbone they're hiring for.

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    Tags

    mechanisation
    agricultural engineering
    farm machinery
    SOP
    quality assurance