Agricultural Drone Operations Manager

Placements24; Durban; On-site; ZAR 600,000 - 900,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Advanced drone equipment

Health and wellness benefits

Training and certification opportuni­t

Job summary

Placements24 in Durban is seeking an Agricultural Drone Operations Manager to lead drone fleets, pilot teams, and data-driven crop management. The role combines field operations with data analytics, flight planning, and collaboration with agronomists to optimize yields and sustainability across extensive farmland.

The ideal candidate has a relevant degree, SACAA license, and at least four years in agricultural operations, including drone tech.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Agriculture, Agronomy, Geospatial Science, or related field.
• Minimum of 4 years in agricultural operations, with at least 2 years focused on drone technology applications.
• Valid SACAA drone pilot license and experience operating various drone platforms.
• Proficiency in GIS and agricultural data analysis software.
• Strong understanding of crop science and precision farming techniques.

Responsibilities

• Oversee deployment and daily operations of agricultural drone fleets for crop monitoring, spraying, and soil analysis.
• Manage and train a team of certified drone pilots, ensuring safety and protocols.
• Develop flight plans and strategies for specific crop types and field conditions in the Durban area.
• Process, analyze, and interpret aerial imagery and sensor data to generate reports on crop health and resource needs.
• Maintain drone hardware and software, coordinating repairs and upgrades as necessary.
• Collaborate with farm managers and agronomists to integrate drone-derived data into farm management decisions.

Skills

Drone operations

Data interpretation

Team leadership

Flight planning

Education

Bachelor's degree in Agriculture/Agronomy/Geospatial Science

Tools

GIS tools

Drone software

Job description

About the Role

Our client is seeking a proactive and technically adept Agricultural Drone Operations Manager to join their innovative farming enterprise in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal . This role is central to integrating cutting-edge drone technology for precision agriculture, enhancing efficiency and sustainability across vast agricultural lands. You will be responsible for managing drone fleets, pilot teams, data acquisition, and analysis to provide actionable insights for crop management. The ideal candidate will possess a strong understanding of drone technology, agricultural applications, and data interpretation, coupled with excellent operational management skills.

Key Responsibilities

• Oversee the deployment and daily operations of agricultural drone fleets for tasks such as crop monitoring, spraying, and soil analysis.
• Manage and train a team of certified drone pilots, ensuring adherence to safety regulations and operational protocols.
• Develop flight plans and operational strategies tailored to specific crop types and field conditions in the Durban area.
• Process, analyze, and interpret aerial imagery and sensor data to generate reports on crop health, yield predictions, and resource application needs.
• Maintain drone hardware and software, coordinating repairs and upgrades as necessary.
• Collaborate with farm managers and agronomists to integrate drone-derived data into overall farm management decisions.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Agriculture, Agronomy, Geospatial Science, or a related technical field.
• Minimum of 4 years of experience in agricultural operations, with at least 2 years focused on drone technology applications.
• Valid commercial drone pilot license (e.g., SACAA certification) and experience operating various drone platforms.
• Proficiency in agricultural data analysis software and GIS tools relevant to KwaZulu-Natal agriculture.
• Strong understanding of crop science, pest management, and precision farming techniques.

Benefits

• Competitive salary with performance bonuses tied to operational efficiency and data accuracy.
• Provision of advanced drone equipment and software licenses.
• Comprehensive health and wellness benefits.
• Opportunities for training and certification in new drone technologies and data analytics.
• A dynamic role at the forefront of agricultural technology innovation in Durban .