Farming Operations Manager

• Control cost and drive monthly KPI reporting on picking, pruning, fertilizer, irrigation, chemical application
• Orchard performance Evaluation -yield, quality, and production cost.
• Coach and mentor, the team
• Managing and reporting on the implementation of orchard improvement action trackers

• Replant development need analysis.
• Water use and electricity use analysis
• Identifying and implementation of value adding initiatives
• Maintenance of current establishment
• Soil and tree health survey by AGES or Aerobotics

• Develop and implement picking/pruning management system and reporting
• Pest and disease monitoring and control
• Warehouse management and stock control
• Fertiliser and chemical recommendation and application
• Irrigation recommendation and application
• Health and Safety

• Accept and execute 8(2) Role and Responsibilities
• Management and implementation of HSMS
• Delivery on Group set objective and goals.
• Support and achieve and maintenance ISO45001 certification SA Production units

• People Management

• Instil discipline within the management and labour force.
• Setting clear and detailed individual performance agreements, management subordinate, coach, and mentor the team.

• Responsibility for the application of legal and fair labour relation practices, to ensure a peaceful working environment.
• Developing successors for critical positions.
• Create a healthy labour relations environment through continuous employee engagement.
• Financial and Business Management

• Collaborate and participate in setting-up budgets, monitor, allocate resources, review and making monthly estimates adjustments.
• Prepare monthly and/or project finance report for management to provide insight into the company.
• Contribute to the business profitability by managing people and resources, to establish and accomplish business unit objective set targets, in accordance with budget and industry norms.
• Infrastructure Management and Compliance

• Ensure that statutory obligations, including but not limited to, Dam safety, building registration, EIA, Water Rights, Roads, transport, electricity supply and use, etc.
• Manage the planning, design and implementation of all production related projects.
• Create an inclusive culture.
• D365 Use and Implementation
• Farm costing on block level
• Farming Solutions
• H&S System

• Conduct and compile feasibility studies for new projects and/or developments.
• Engagement with internal managers for Capital requirements
• Technical Review of capital projects (Capex Requests)
• Setup Business cases, Capex requests and execute projects timeously and within budget.

• Continuous Improvement

• Constant performance evaluation of farming practices/activities.
• Develop and implement process flows for all activities.
• Communicating water use entitlements to various farm managers.
• Work with newly established Continuous Improvement Department.
• Liaise with all institutions involved in our operation, to ensure that all available technology and resources are effectively integrated with production practices.

• Co-ordinate the practical implementation of promising research results and relevant literature into production practices.
• Identify areas of future research and motivate for their adoption into the research programs.

• Degree in Agricultural Sciences or similar

• Post graduate qualification will be advantageous
• Management and Leadership Development Programme is desirable

• At least 5-10-years’ experience in operational environment, preferably agriculture
• Avo experience essential
• Experience in managing senior managers essential
• At least 5-years’ experience in role or similar roles on Health and Safety.
• About 2–3-years’ experience with an ERP system or similar
• Computer literate – Expert level (MS office)
• Valid driver’s license and own transport

• Ability to manage an export subtropical fruit business
• Good people management skills across all levels of the business
• Detailed knowledge of external accreditation requirements for export to the EU
• Financial planning and control
• Knowledge of the legal framework for farming operations in South Africa
• Person of integrity, passion for work, excellence and success
• Excellent communicator
• Good Business acumen
• Results driven team player
• Competent to assess situations and ability to make decisions
• Willingness to travel
• Ability to work under constant pressure
• Self-starter and ability to work independently and as part of a team
• Analytical problem-solving ability
• Attention to detail

Palesa Mbali Group