Business Manager
Rivers Labour Consultants
- Pietermaritzburg, KwaZulu-Natal
- Permanent
- Full-time
Location: KZN Midlands
Position Type: Full-timeCompany OverviewOur client, a dynamic player in the forestry sector, is seeking a results-driven and hands-on Business Manager. This role will support the business owner in overseeing and managing the administrative and operational functions across multiple units. The ideal candidate will bring both business acumen and a strong understanding of operations, ensuring efficient day-to-day management and long-term strategic growth.Key Responsibilities
- Operational Oversight: Manage daily administration and operations across forestry and agricultural units to ensure smooth and efficient functioning.
- Financial Monitoring: Track, analyse, and allocate costs to farming/forestry activities, with a strong focus on cost accounting and input-output analysis.
- Reporting: Prepare accurate and timely operational and financial reports (daily, weekly, monthly) tailored to the agricultural and forestry environment.
- Budget & Forecasting: Assist in budget preparation, forecasting yields, analysing variances, and ensuring cost-effectiveness of agricultural inputs and forestry operations.
- Policy Development: Create and implement operational policies to improve efficiency while ensuring compliance with industry regulations, labour laws, and environmental standards.
- Human Resource Support: Oversee staff management, resource planning, and employee administration across farming/forestry operations.
- Cross-Functional Coordination: Work closely with farm/forestry managers, contractors, suppliers, and other business units to optimise workflow.
- Strategic Support: Provide insights and recommendations to the owner to inform long-term planning, sustainability initiatives, and operational improvements.
- Leadership: Lead, motivate, and develop teams to improve productivity and performance in both office and field-based roles.
- Efficiency & Productivity: Identify and implement strategies to improve profitability, resource use, and operational efficiency.
- Compliance: Ensure adherence to safety, environmental, and forestry/agriculture-specific regulations.
- Supplier & Accounts Management: Oversee supplier relationships, ensure accurate production of purchase orders, and manage vendor payments within agreed limits.
- Data Collection & Analysis: Gather, track, and analyse operational and financial data, such as yield reports, input costs, and workforce productivity, to support decision-making.
- Education: Bachelor’s degree in forestry, Agriculture, Agribusiness, or related field.
- Experience: Minimum of 5 years in a management or administration role, preferably in forestry, agriculture, or primary production industries.
- Financial Skills: Proven background in financial management, cost accounting, and generating actionable business insights.
- Organisational Skills: Strong administrative and organisational ability, with capacity to oversee multiple sites/units.
- Leadership: Demonstrated leadership with the ability to coordinate diverse teams in both operational and administrative environments.
- Technical Proficiency: Proficient in MS Excel and reporting tools.
- Industry Knowledge: Practical experience with forestry or agricultural processes, seasonal cycles, resource management, and production planning is highly valued.
- Personal Attributes: Proactive, detail-oriented, and resourceful, with strong integrity and initiative to drive continuous improvement.