JOB ADVERTISEMENT
Browns PLANTATIONS - East Africa
OPEN POSITION: SPH OPERATOR
Browns East Africa Plantations PLC (BEAP) is a leading tea manufacturing company based in Kericho and spread across 3 other counties, offering a dynamic career experience, blending local expertise with global best practices. We invite expressions of interest from highly competent, self-driven, and adaptable individuals who could be part of our Browns Plantations Team. Qualified candidates with relevant experience are encouraged to apply for the position of SPH Operator.
Employment Type: Fixed-Term Contract
ROLE SUMMARY
The role is responsible for operating the SPH Machine in the Estate to harvest tea, assist in coordinating assigned SPH operations, managing harvesting standards, green leaf quality and harvesting rounds while maintaining the recommended creep height alongside performing related field functions in the estates as per company policy and procedures. The SPH operator in liaison with the SPH mechanics should carry out daily inspection and basic fault diagnosis on the SPH machines and provide reports for preventive maintenance, perform SPH machine daily checks as per daily prestart, hand over-taking over checklist before and after end of the shift.
ROLE RESPONSIBILITIES
- Carry out health and safety activities as per company policy. Ensures that harvesting activities are embedded in a positive SHE culture.
- Full knowledge of the workplace and hazards. Utilize all appropriate safety and environmental procedures for people, processes, materials, product and equipment relevant to the task.
- Implement and support harvesting operations that reduce environmental impacts and costs associated with utilities, product and operational wastes through maximizing efficient operation and utilization.
- Carry out SPH workplace daily inspection (before and after).
- Undertake regular risk assessment on the SPH machine operation, fields and all other related workplaces and functions.
- Adhere to traffic and SOP on transporting SPH machines.
- Operate skilfully and safely SPH machine as per the safe operating procedure ensuring high quality of tea leaf at source.
- Use performance measures to identify and prioritize losses in harvesting. In conjunction with Field Technology and Estate management, use routine improvements and problem analysis to trigger and track actions.
- Manage/adhere to harvesting rounds of the assigned fields to maximize on the harvesting cycles in the year.
- In conjunction with Estate Management, carry out tea fields assessment for crop readiness and submit harvest estimates for the day/week.
- Manage table creep over the prune cycle while harvesting to attain and maintain a healthy hamper.
- Attain the crop harvested targets per shift.
- Use the appropriate gear(s) suitable for the various fields/terrains to attain the fuel efficiency targets in place.
- Harvest high quality of tea leaves at source that meet factory specifications.
- Liaise with Estate Management to ensure continuous improvement of production and harvesting process.
- Liaise with SPH mechanic to carry out daily inspection and basic fault diagnosis on the SPH machine and provide reports for preventive maintenance.
- Perform SPH machine daily checks as per daily-prestart, hand over-taking over checklist before and after end of the shift.
- Perform general checks on guarding, oiling, greasing, cracks etc, report/predict any occurrence to the SPH mechanic and Field Technology management.
- Participate in basic machine maintenance in liaison with the SPH mechanic.
- Ensure planned maintenance and service for the machine is carried out as per the maintenance schedule.
- Refuel SPH machines as per company procedures and to avoid unnecessary machine downtime.
- Maintain required records on productivity, fuel efficiency, green quality and CBH.
TRAVEL
- As per job/site requirements, local travel likely.
LEADERSHIP BEHAVIOR
- Exhibit the Browns East Africa Plantations PLC Values.
QUALIFICATIONS, SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE REQUIRED
- Certificate in Plant Operations or an equivalent recognised qualification.
- Class C and G driving license.
- SPH and tractor driving experience.
- 2-3 years of relevant operational experience, preferably in mechanised tea harvesting or agricultural plant operations.
- Good interpersonal skills and team player.
APPLICATION PROCESS
Interested candidates who meet the above qualifications for the role should apply on or before 14th October 2026.
Application Link: https://brownsplantationsjobs.mcidirecthire.com/