Head of Grower Relations

Forney Enterprises is seeking a hands-on, relationship-first leader to work directly with kava growers across Santo and surrounding islands. You’ll build loyalty and long-term supply partnerships, strengthen field practices through practical coaching, and help secure a consistent pipeline of high-quality noble kava into the Forney processing operation.

The Company

Forney Enterprises is a family-owned kava processing and export business based on Espiritu Santo, Vanuatu. Established in 2005, Forney works closely with grass-roots farmers across Vanuatu’s islands to source, quality-check and process noble kava for domestic and international markets.

Forney work alongside farmers to source quality kava (rather than compete with them).  They uphold integrity, cultural respect and high standards of safety and quality in every aspect of their operations.

The Opportunity

Reporting to the Supply Chain Manager, you will be the primary on-the-ground link between Forney Enterprises and its kava growers. This role is equal parts relationship leadership and practical field coaching: strengthening grower capability, improving crop quality and post-harvest handling, and reducing reliance on open-market purchasing through a structured preferred grower program.

You will be working across an established but evolving grower network, where supply consistency, quality variability and post-harvest handling remain key focus areas. 

This is a key leadership role with full ownership of your department, rather than just a field extension job.

About the role:

• Build long-term, trust-based relationships with farmers, grower groups, chiefs and rural communities
• Lift consistency of cultivation, harvest and post-harvest practices across priority growers through practical, on-the-ground coaching
• Translate agronomic knowledge into simple, practical guidance (weeds, pests, diseases, soil and sustainable land use, washing/cutting/drying/storage)
• Design, implement and hold a preferred grower/supplier program to clear standards around quality and supply commitments
• Identify and retain priority growers, reduce supply leakage, and support simple supply agreements
• Track and respond to competitor activity impacting pricing, buyer behaviour and grower loyalty
• Improve supply visibility through mapping expected volumes and harvest readiness
• Support aggregation, collection and transport efficiency by coordinating supply at village level with logistics teams
• Reinforce quality standards at source, address recurring issues, and act as a first line of quality control before product reaches site
• Provide structured weekly field reporting and communicate clearly with Production, QA and Operations

About You

You’re a practical, people-first field leader who earns trust quickly and enjoys working in rural communities. You can coach and influence through simple, respectful guidance, and you’re motivated by improving grower capability, product quality and long-term sustainability.

You will have:

• Demonstrated experience working directly with farmers in a field-based role (extension, agronomy, horticulture or community agriculture).
• A natural ability to train, coach and mentor growers, using practical, easy-to-apply methods.
• Strong relationship-building and communication skills, with cultural sensitivity and respect when working with chiefs and communities.
• Practical understanding of crop production systems and post-harvest handling (quality and storage)
• Ability to work independently, manage a field-based schedule, and provide structured updates and reporting.
• You will be comfortable living and working in a remote environment, with limited infrastructure and frequent field travel.
• Qualification in agriculture, agronomy, horticulture or a related field (or strong equivalent practical experience).
• Experience working in remote or developing agricultural regions is highly regarded 

Why This Role

• Full accountability for grower relationships and supply outcomes across Santo and surrounding islands
• Build and hold a preferred grower program to standard, through consistent, on-the-ground engagement with growers and communities
• Autonomy to make decisions locally, balanced with clear accountability to supply, quality and reporting outcomes
• Expatriate package aligned to a residential role in Vanuatu (details available on discussion)

Please submit your Resume and a short Cover Letter outlining your relevant experience.

Please note there is no formal closing date for this position. If interested, please apply at your earliest opportunity, as the position may be withdrawn once a suitable candidate is hired or if circumstances change.

For a confidential discussion, contact Mark Turner on 1300 380 701. Applications via www.rimfireresources.com.au