Irrigation Specialist

Company Overview:

Universal Leaf Philippines, Inc. (ULPI) is a leading tobacco leaf supplier in the Philippines, with a strong commitment to sustainability and ethical business practices. We provide high-quality tobacco leaves to major tobacco companies around the world, and we are constantly seeking skilled and dedicated individuals to join our team.

Purpose of the Role:

This role is responsible for designing, implementing, and overseeing the companys comprehensive irrigation strategy across all tobacco-growing areas. The role ensures the timely and efficient delivery of irrigation services—from planning to execution—to support the entire crop cycle, maximize yield, safeguard crop quality, and mitigate climate risks such as El Niño, drought, and flooding.

This position supervises a geographically distributed team of Irrigation Supervisors, coordinates closely with the Growing Team and Crop Protection Team and manages the deployment of company-owned irrigation equipment, technology, and personnel. The Irrigation Specialist ensures that irrigation programs, policies, and procedures are aligned with the companys production targets, quality standards, and operational calendar.

Here's how you would make an impact:

• Develop and lead the annual and seasonal irrigation strategy aligned with the companys production goals, crop calendars, Crop Protection guidelines and timing.
• Conduct site assessments in valleys, flatlands, and mountainous areas to determine appropriate irrigation methods.
• Design contingency plans for El Niño, drought, water scarcity, floods, and climate anomalies.
• Plan water source management, pumping requirements, distribution systems, and scheduling.
• Oversee end-to-end implementation of irrigation programs across all contracted farms.
• Ensure efficient mobilization of irrigation equipment, pumps, tractors, GPS-enabled devices, drones, and water storage systems.
• Direct Irrigation Supervisors in their daily field operations, ensuring adherence to SOPs, safety standards, and productivity targets.
• Ensure irrigation activities support the full crop cycle, land preparation moisture, pre- and post-transplant irrigation, vegetative stage, support critical curing readiness.
• Lead, train, and mentor all Irrigation Supervisors and field irrigation personnel.
• Prepare manpower forecasts, labor allocations, and schedules per town/province.
• Utilize GPS, drone surveillance, and digital mapping to assess field water needs, monitor soil moisture, detect irrigation gap, map flood-prone zones.
• Implement digital reporting tools for irrigation logs, equipment usage, and water consumption.
• Participate in cross-departmental planning meetings and field visits.
• Maintain accurate documentation for audits and operational continuity.
• Oversee the maintenance and optimal deployment of pumps, hoses and pipelines, generators, tractors, reservoirs and mobile irrigation rigs.
• Ensure efficient and sustainable water usage to avoid resource depletion.
• Implement water conservation practices and sustainable irrigation strategies.
• Develop risk mitigation plans for drought, high heat, water shortages, and flooding.
• Lead emergency response actions for crop protection during climate events.

We Offer:

• Competitive salary and benefits package
• Opportunities for career growth and development
• A positive and supportive work environment
• Commitment to safety and ethical business practices

If you are looking for a challenging and rewarding career opportunity, we encourage you to apply for this position at Universal Leaf Philippines, Inc. We value diversity and equal opportunities, and we welcome applicants from all backgrounds.

Join our team and be a part of our mission to provide high-quality tobacco products while promoting sustainability and responsible business practices.