Benjamin Rusimbi

Project Planning

• Created detailed work breakdown structures (WBS) from project goals/deliverables for projects and certifications such as Rainforest Alliance, Global GAP, Organic, Fairtrade, FSSC 22000, KOSHER, ECOVADIS, EUDR, B Corp, ERP Next and SourceTrace.
• Created a timeline outlining tasks, milestones, dependencies, and resource allocation
• Estimated costs for resources, materials, and labour. Developing a financial plan to ensure the project stays within budget
• Identified potential risks and developing mitigation strategies to minimize negative impacts

Project Execution

• Identified and recommended team members with the appropriate skills and experience
• Clearly defined roles and responsibilities for all deliverables
• Personally executed all tasks necessary for project completion
• Tracked project costs against allocated budgets, ensuring expenses stay within designated limits, and implemented corrective measures whenever needed
• Effectively communicated project status, updates, and potential challenges or changes to farmers, colleagues, local authorities, donors, and key stakeholders.
• Addressed and resolved any problems or obstacles that may hinder project progress and success
• Created, updated and disseminated functional reports (both data and narrative-based) on project progress, resource utilization, and costs, for colleagues, stakeholders and management.
• Maintained comprehensive project documentation including but not limited to plans, schedules, risk logs, meeting minutes, and decisions

Project Monitoring & Control

• Measured project completion against the established plans, identifying any deviations, and taking timely corrective actions
• Quantitatively analysed data to make sound project management decisions, using the latest available information from Company systems like SourceTrace and ERPNext
• Implemented quality control processes to verify work products meet the predefined standards for delivering exceptional work
• Assessed change requests, evaluated their impact, and managed implementation with stakeholder approval to ensure that the project accommodates necessary adaptations while change is properly managed across affected processes/areas
• Owned, documented, and continuously updated organizational project management methodology

Project Closure & Handover

• Conducted and documented in writing a post-project review to assess successes, failures, and lessons learned in order to inform future projects and streamlined the project management methodology
• Finalized all project documentation, including project reports, budgets, and relevant materials, ensuring records are compiled, secured, and easily accessible to authorized personnel
• Released project team members and resources back into the wider organization
• Delivered the completed project to the relevant stakeholder, ensured a smooth transition of ownership and responsibilities

Other Duties

• Managed changes across the supply chain with support from/to the branch leads.
• Furthered the company mission: to become a leading African manufacturer of premium natural flavour products for the global food markets and provided sustainable, increased income for smallholder farmers.
• Adhered to and instituted the company values of Integrity, Creativity, Passion, Sustainability and Inclusivity.
• Any other duties, as may be required from time to time by your peers, the management team or the Directors.
• Provided guidance and advice to team members on project management principles, processes and best practices.

• Facilitated and promoted increase in yields to meet target volumes through minimum cost efficient methodologies such increase in yield per vine and proficient pollination practices
• Quarterly and annually data reports and reported to various funders (USAID, MEDA, RICOLTO, HELVETAS, TAHA, HAKUNA MATATA,KIJANI PAMOJA) and other partners of NEI to abide to donor policies, procedures and records keeping protocols.
• Data analytical reported on yearly, monthly and weekly achievements of all field agronomists under NEI’s operations areas
• Coordinated and assisted on team work activities with the plantation lead assistant
• Liaised with all of NEI’s relevant stake and other relevant stakeholders to promote cooperation and sustainable relationships (Government,TAHA, Ricolto, Helvetas, TPRI, OSHA)
• Supervised agronomist field assistants and field agronomist through planning and field activities tracking to ensure farmers receive high standard of services
• Program funds and expense tracked through several models
• Established and managed of VCOE franchise network
• Managed and monitored the communication link between farmers, farmer champions with the company’s GAPs through the group messaging platform (Beem Africa)
• Managed and monitored the adaptation NEI’s ICT Platform (Sourcetrace Web & Mobile) for farmer extension program by the field agronomists to ensure traceability of implemented activities.
• Sensitizated and registratered of new potential farmers and farmer groups into contract vanilla farming out grower program
• Farmer field visits for vanilla vines growth development and assessment of farm needs for sustainable vanilla farming
• Provided GAPs trainings to farmers, farmer champions and farmer groups as per NEI’s vanilla husbandry manual as means to solve agronomic and operations challenges.
• Established and managed of nursery trials and investigations of GAPs, vanilla vines propagation and acclimatization for vanilla.
• Designed, adhered to, and improved upon NEI’s Supply chain SOPs

• Implementated and reported of planned activities
• Community engagement and advocacy by building capacity of the people, encouraging active participation of the community in different initiatives
• Designed and Installed irrigation systems
• Designed simple and adoptable agricultural technologies/practices
• Provided agronomical field support and extension services to small holder farmers through Farmer Field Schools (FFS)
• Mobilized of farmers into producer groups and producer associations for collective marketing of their farm produces
• Linked farmers and the community with local and foreign organisations, government institutions, church, faith based organization leaders, other key partners at local level and other potential partners working with World Vision and the government of Tanzania to broaden their knowledge, understanding and experience on agriculture

• Established of new farms in remote areas for carrying out research on various food crops
• Carried out demonstrations on technical and practical know-how on the use of farm machinery and other farm implements
• Managed of stock inventory of farm inputs
• Supervised of Junior agronomists
• Inspected fields for signs of weeds, insects or disease outbreaks.
• Analyzed data from field experiments to identify trends in crop yields.
• Maintained records of fertilizer applications, crop rotations and harvest data.
• Investigated complaints related to pesticide use or other environmental issues.
• Performed soil testing to measure nutrient levels and pH values.
• Coordinated with local government agencies regarding regulations affecting agriculture.
• Recommended strategies for improving soil fertility, drainage and water retention.
• Created reports detailing findings from agronomic studies and trials.
• Provided technical assistance when troubleshooting problems related to farm machinery.

• Purchased products for the company (computers, computer software, accessories and appliances, office tools and stationery equipment)
• Supervised and managed sales of computer appliances, accessories and office tools and stationery equipment
• Provided IT services and consultancy
• Organized training sessions for new hires to familiarize them with the workplace environment.
• Conducted regular performance reviews for employees to identify areas of improvement.
• Communicated regularly with customers to gain insights into their needs.
• Provided guidance and support to junior staff members on daily tasks, projects, and objectives.
• Developed a system for tracking inventory and ordering supplies as needed.
• Ensured compliance with safety regulations and company policies.
• Maintained up-to-date knowledge of company products and services.
• Established processes for monitoring customer satisfaction levels.
• Monitored employee attendance records, timekeeping, and payroll information.
• Resolved conflicts between team members in an effective manner.
• Created reports on sales trends, inventory levels, and financial data.
• Assisted in the development of operational strategies to ensure efficient and productive operations.
• Maintained accurate records of sales transactions using point-of-sale systems.
• Collaborated with management on developing strategic plans for achieving business goals.
• Held regular one-on-one meetings with employees to review performance and priorities and provide feedback.
• Reviewed employee performance and provided ongoing feedback and coaching to drive performance improvement.