Martin Gitonga

I have a great passion with sustainable production on safe environment at minimal costs especially on zero hunger, sustainable consumption and production goals for better healthy society for better world. I am an Agribusiness Economist graduate currently pursuing MSc in Agricultural resource management at University of Embu  and a Certified public Accountant with CPA II Part 4. I am highly skilled team player leader in people plus resources management, agro value addition, good manufacturing practices, health and safety, record keeping, budgeting, and general accounting duties. 

I am a highly dedicated and committed professional with 7 years experience in wide array of Agricultural field including Agro products value addition/processing, Health and Safety, Horticulture, Logistics management, Tea industry and Small Holder Farmers Agricultural projects Management. Also I have 1 year experience in accounting at Innscor Kenya limited where I got great exposure in budgeting, stock taking, hygiene standards and general accounting duties. 

I have proven track record and diversified experience in tea value chain from Farm to cup, having worked for renowned Kenya Tea Development Agency(KTDA) MS. My rich skills set include Logistics operations, Horticultural Crops Management, Regenerative agriculture, Sustainable agriculture production, Climate change actions, IPM, Agrochemical and Crop varieties trials, Tea farming, Production Management, Tea Industry Standards and Certifications, Smallholder Farmers value chains activation Project management among others. I am a Sustainable Agriculture enthusiast and a Food Security devotee.

FIELD SERVICES CO-ORDINATOR KTDA TEA FACTORIES - NOVEMBER 2019- CURRENT

• Budget preparation Planning and implementing transport system for green leaf collection plus delivery to the factory.
• Fleet management, environment conservation and good crop husbandry practices.
• In charge of Sustainable agriculture standards certifications and food safety management system leader.
• Field services plus Logistics and sustainable agriculture standard implementation (RA-SAS 2020).
• Climate change adaptation and mitigation measures implementation in the catchment.
• Regenerative agriculture and good agriculture practices implementation in the catchment.
• Liaising with the production managers in effective management and quality control of tea leaves.
• Planning and implementing transport system for green leaf collection and delivery to the factory.
• Ensuring proper maintenance of the tea fields in the catchment area.
• Identifying and registering new tea growers.
• Attending to growers queries as per established policies and procedures.
• Ensuring safe custody of the company assets/property.
• Proper maintenance of hygiene standards in the buying centres. 
• Preparing timely and accurate reports.

PRODUCTION ASSISTANT KTDA GACHEGE TEA FACTORY- JULY 2019- OCTOMBER 2019

• Making sure that the tea is produced on time and is of high quality meeting set KPI’s.
• Assisting in planning daily, weekly and monthly production schedules and oversees the execution by factory staff.
• Assisting the production manager to coordinate, set up and implement standard operating procedures for all production operations.
• Ensuring the set targets are achieved during production process through close monitoring.
• Ensuring good housekeeping and hygiene standards is adhered to.
• Ensure the cost of production is minimized and benchmarked to best-in-class industry standards.
• Ensuring proper utilization of equipment, organizing the repair and routine maintenance of machinery and equipments.
• Ensuring that all health, safety and environmental requirements /regulations are met.
• Production, Processing of green leaf tea to black CTC tea and black orthodox tea as per market requirements.
• Management operations and compliance leadership in ISO 9001:2015 and ISO 22000:2018.

ACTING PRODUCTION MANAGER CHELAL TEA FACTORY-1ST DECEMBER 2018- 30TH JANUARY 2019

• Plan, implement and control the production schedule, reviewing and adjusting the schedule

where needed.

• Implement standard operating procedures (SOPs) for production operations and ensure they are

being adhered to across the departments.

• Ensured synergy between procurement, production, distribution and sales departments;
• Ensuring production of wholesome quality tea as per market requirements.
• Ensuring the cost of production is minimized and benchmarked to best-in-class industry standards.
• Ensured optimal allocation of human resource to production process as per guidelines issued from time to time
• Ensuring that all health, safety and environmental requirements /regulations are met;
• Ensure all relevant certifications are maintained ISO among others.
• Ensuring proper utilization of equipment, organizing the repair and routine maintenance of machinery and equipments.
• Monitoring ongoing plant operations in all areas and report deficiencies to the Factory Unit Manager and resolved any operational issues.

MANAGEMENT TRAINEE CHELAL TEA FACTORY-1ST JULY 2016- 30TH JUNE 2019

• Participate in co-ordination of Greenleaf collection and delivery to the factory.
• Participate in ensuring sound maintenance of production equipment.
• Participate in grower education, extension services, grower registration, leaf quality and effective management of tea nursery.
• Ensuring tea manufacturing process is followed while ensuring that good housekeeping is adhered to and hygiene standards.
• Assist in implementation of production schedules in order to ensure set targets are realized.
• Participate in enforcing compliance with environment, health and safety regulations.

SITE ACCOUNTANT INNSCOR KENYA LIMITED -1ST JULY 2015- 30TH JUNE 2016

• Financial, Accounting duties, asset management, Policy interpretation and implementation
• Budget preparation, Petty cash and Float control, Management information systems, records and documentation, clients relationship management.
• Making sure re-order levels are maintained and assisting the branch manager on supervision and general hygiene requirements.
• Writing monthly reports as required and directed by my supervisor.

GENERAL WORKER IKUMBI TEA FACTORY-2014 JULY-2014 DECEMBER

• Payroll, ISO audit preparation, Factory door sales operation and bush maintenance.
• Nursery management, Buying and quality inspection of green leaf.
• Withering green leaves, fermenting green leaves, Drying, sorting and grading of made tea
• Preparation of accounting records and stock taking.

FIELD ATTACHMENT IKUMBI TEA FACTORY-2013 SEPTEMBER-2013 DECEMBER

• Quality standard in all processing sections and maintaining factory hygiene standards.
• Involved in all stages of tea processing and inspection of tea quality.

EDUCATION

• University of Embu: MSc in Agricultural Resources Management-In Progress (Finalizing Thesis Report)-To complete in 2022-2023.
• JKUAT: Degree in Agribusiness Economics and food industry management– Completed 2015 with second class honors (upper division).
• Achievers College of professionals: Certified Public Accountant (CPA II section 4), computer packages and quick books –Completed 2013.
• Kirimari Boy’s Secondary School: Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE), (Completed 2010 with a B plain grade).
• Gicherori Primary School: Kenya Certificate of Primary Education (KCPE), Completed2006 with330 marks out of 500 marks.