Diageo, the world’s leading premium alcohol company, is inviting applications from qualified and experienced professionals for the position of Agriculture Compliance and Transformation Manager. This full-time role is based in Nairobi, Kenya, and offers an exceptional opportunity to contribute to sustainable, compliant, and innovative agricultural sourcing practices within one of the most renowned names in the global beverage industry.
From the heritage of Arthur Guinness to the pioneering legacy of Johnnie Walker, Diageo has built an enduring culture that spans over 250 years. Our people are at the core of everything we do — from supply chains and manufacturing to marketing and distribution. We believe in empowering our workforce to shape our legacy and uphold our ambition of being the most trusted, respected, and high-performing consumer products company globally.
Our subsidiary, East African Maltings Limited (EAML), plays a vital strategic role in supporting the sourcing of high-quality sorghum, barley, and malt — the key raw materials for beer manufacturing in East Africa. EAML is committed to securing raw material supplies in a sustainable, traceable, and farmer-friendly manner. This includes enhancing productivity, building resilient supply chains, and supporting the livelihoods of smallholder farmers.
In this context, the Agriculture Compliance and Transformation Manager will serve a critical leadership role in ensuring that all sourcing activities comply with internal policies, local regulations, and international standards. The position also involves steering strategic change initiatives that align with Diageo’s sustainability goals and agricultural sourcing transformation agenda.
Position: Agriculture Compliance and Transformation Manager
Location: Nairobi, Kenya
Job Requisition ID: JR1114570
Application Deadline: July 26, 2025
Purpose of the Role
The Agriculture Compliance and Transformation Manager is responsible for overseeing compliance frameworks and leading transformative initiatives in Diageo’s agricultural sourcing operations, with a special focus on barley and sorghum. This role ensures that procurement practices meet both internal expectations and external regulatory requirements, while championing continuous improvement, quality assurance, digital innovation, and sustainability across the entire agricultural value chain.
The successful candidate will collaborate closely with farmers, aggregators, quality control teams, logistics partners, development organizations, and government agencies. The manager will ensure traceable, ethical, and sustainable sourcing of raw materials that meet East African Breweries Limited’s (EABL) manufacturing needs.
Key Responsibilities
- Compliance Oversight and Internal Controls
- Develop and implement robust internal control systems for agricultural procurement and sourcing operations.
- Monitor adherence to local, national, and international laws and regulations related to agricultural supply chains.
- Ensure alignment of sourcing practices with Diageo’s internal compliance procedures and risk management frameworks.
- Lead compliance audits, conduct regular risk assessments, and review the agribusiness risk footprint across all sourcing zones.
- Collaborate with key departments (procurement, supply chain, legal, and sustainability) to promote a unified compliance culture across the organization.
- Risk Management and Audit Execution
- Design and deploy audit tools and checklists tailored to the agricultural context.
- Lead comprehensive audit missions covering farmer groups, aggregators, logistics service providers, and warehousing points.
- Ensure timely implementation of corrective actions and escalate non-compliance issues for remedial action.
- Monitor evolving risks including environmental, climate, regulatory, and reputational factors affecting agricultural sourcing.
- Quality Assurance and Traceability
- Enforce quality assurance protocols at key control points in the supply chain to ensure raw materials (sorghum and barley) meet Diageo’s strict specifications.
- Work in close partnership with East African Maltings’ quality control laboratories to validate sample test results and approve materials for processing.
- Train field extension officers and sourcing teams on quality management and traceability standards.
- Collaborate with suppliers to promote compliance with hygiene, grading, and post-harvest handling guidelines.
- Digital Innovation and Data Management
- Champion the integration of digital solutions in sourcing activities, including mobile data collection platforms and real-time monitoring tools.
- Implement digital traceability systems that track the origin and movement of raw materials from farm gate to factory.
- Use data analytics to assess supplier performance, detect anomalies, and inform decision-making.
- Provide training and technical support to field agents and aggregator partners on digital compliance tools.
- Transformation Initiatives and Continuous Improvement
- Lead and scale process improvement initiatives across the agricultural sourcing supply chain.
- Identify opportunities to increase sourcing efficiency, reduce wastage, and improve farmer retention and engagement.
- Drive innovations that enable aggregation centers to operate as centers of excellence in compliance, quality control, and digital reporting.
- Embed best practices in raw material sourcing by aligning with global sustainability standards such as Rainforest Alliance, Fairtrade, and Diageo’s Grain-to-Glass commitments.
- Stakeholder Engagement and Strategic Partnerships
- Coordinate with government agencies, development partners, NGOs, and farmer organizations to support aligned implementation of agriculture compliance programs.
- Represent Diageo in industry forums, national consultations, and policy dialogues related to food safety, sustainable agriculture, and regulatory reforms.
- Develop and maintain productive relationships with aggregators and third-party service providers involved in crop sourcing, storage, and transportation.
- Promote collaborative efforts to achieve social, environmental, and economic sustainability targets within the agricultural sourcing portfolio.
Qualifications, Experience and Competencies
Educational Qualifications
- A bachelor’s degree in Agricultural Sciences, Agronomy, Agribusiness, or a closely related field is required.
- Additional training or certification in compliance management, supply chain audits, or food safety standards is highly desirable.
- A master’s degree will be considered an added advantage.
Experience Required
- At least five (5) years of experience in agricultural compliance, strategic sourcing, or supply chain management.
- Demonstrated experience in implementing traceability systems and managing agricultural value chains, especially within the beverage, food, or FMCG sectors.
- Solid understanding of regulatory frameworks relevant to agriculture, procurement, food safety, and environmental protection.
- Proven ability to lead compliance audits, manage outcomes, and ensure resolution of findings.
- Exposure to smallholder sourcing models and farmer group capacity building.
Key Competencies and Skills
- Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities, especially in high-stakes compliance environments.
- Excellent stakeholder engagement and negotiation skills with internal and external actors.
- Advanced project management skills with an ability to manage multi-stakeholder programs across dispersed geographies.
- Solid grasp of sustainability frameworks and ethical sourcing standards.
- Proficiency in digital traceability platforms, mobile data collection tools, and compliance reporting dashboards.
- Experience in training, mentoring, and supporting field-level teams in compliance and quality practices.
Diversity and Inclusion at Diageo
At Diageo, we believe in building a culture where diversity is valued and inclusion is second nature. Our purpose — “celebrating life every day, everywhere” — reflects our commitment to ensuring that everyone, regardless of background, ability, gender, ethnicity, or belief, feels seen, heard, and empowered to grow.
Our global ambition to be the best performing and most respected consumer products company requires talent that is as bold and diverse as our brands. We welcome creative thinkers, transformative leaders, and purpose-driven professionals who want to leave a mark and shape the future of sustainable agriculture and beverage production.
Why Join Diageo?
- Be part of a company with a 250-year legacy of innovation, integrity, and leadership in the alcohol and beverage industry.
- Work on transformative initiatives that directly impact smallholder farmers, rural communities, and sustainable supply chains.
- Access opportunities for global career progression, professional development, and cross-functional collaboration.
- Engage in purposeful work that aligns with the UN Sustainable Development Goals, particularly those related to responsible consumption, decent work, and climate action.
- Collaborate with passionate professionals who are committed to excellence, accountability, and ethical business practices.
Location and Terms
This is a regular, full-time position based at Diageo’s Nairobi Headquarters, with field visits to sourcing regions and aggregation centers in Kenya and neighboring countries as needed. The successful candidate will report directly to the Head of Agricultural Sourcing and will work in close collaboration with the Quality, Sustainability, Procurement, and Legal teams.
Application Instructions
The application deadline is July 26, 2025. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for the next stages of the recruitment process.
