Agronomist, Operations Manager

GatiHire; Maruleng Local Municipality; On-site; ZAR 900,000 - 1,300,000; Full time

Job summary

The Good Fruit Pte. Ltd. in Hoedspruit, Limpopo, South Africa, seeks an experienced Agronomist Operations Manager to lead grower relationships, source Valencia oranges, coordinate packhouse operations, and oversee export logistics.

The ideal candidate has strong experience in agricultural sourcing, grower management, fruit quality control, and international export operations. Travel may be required to manage multiple stakeholders.

Qualifications

• Graduate in Agriculture with strong agronomy fundamentals.
• 10–15 years’ experience with growers, preferably in citrus sourcing and export supply chains.
• Experience with Valencia oranges and international export operations.

Responsibilities

• Grower management & fruit sourcing; negotiate terms for Valencia oranges.
• Plan packhouse coordination, grading, storage and scheduling.
• Oversee export operations and logistics to India and other markets.
• Coordinate with growers, packhouses, quality teams and logistics partners.

Skills

Agronomy & Horticulture

Citrus Farming & Valencia Orange Sourc

Grower / Farmer Relationship Mgmt

Agricultural Procurement & Sourcing

Contract Farming & Grower Supervision

Fresh Produce Quality Control

Packhouse Operations & Management

Fruit Grading, Sorting, Packing & Stor

Post-Harvest Management

Education

Graduate in Agriculture

Job description

About The Role # Job Description: Agronomist / Operations Manager **Company:** The Good Fruit Pte. Ltd. **Location:** Hoedspruit, Limpopo, South Africa **Reporting To:** Chief Operating Officer (COO) **Preferred Age:** 35–45 years **Qualification:** Graduate in Agriculture **Experience:** 10–15 years of experience working with growers, preferably in citrus fruit sourcing, farm operations, and export supply chains. **Salary:** Up to 20% hike on current CTC; higher compensation may be considered for exceptional candidates. ## Role Overview We are looking for an experienced Agronomist Operations Manager to manage grower relationships, source high-quality Valencia oranges, coordinate packhouse operations, and oversee export logistics. The ideal candidate should have strong experience in agricultural sourcing, grower management, fruit quality control, and international export operations. ## Key Responsibilities **1. Grower Management & Fruit Sourcing** - Identify, develop, and maintain relationships with local farmers and citrus growers. - Negotiate sourcing terms and contract with growers for Valencia oranges. - Supervise grower operations to ensure consistent supply and quality. - Monitor fruit quality and ensure compliance with company standards. **2. Packhouse Coordination & Quality Control** - Identify and coordinate with suitable packhouses for fruit packing, grading, and storage. - Work closely with packhouse management to ensure quality standards and packing schedules are met. - Monitor packing operations to ensure efficient handling and minimal wastage. - Ensure compliance with applicable fruit quality, food safety, and export requirements. **3. Export Operations & Logistics** - Coordinate the shipment of packed fruits to India and other international markets. - Work with shipping lines, freight forwarders, and logistics partners to ensure timely and cost-effective transportation. - Oversee export documentation and ensure compliance with applicable international shipping and export regulations. - Coordinate with relevant stakeholders to resolve shipment and supply-chain issues. **4. Operational Planning & Coordination** - Coordinate growers, packhouses, quality teams, and logistics partners to ensure a smooth supply chain. - Monitor sourcing volumes, quality, packing schedules, and shipment timelines. - Identify opportunities to improve operational efficiency and control costs. - Provide regular operational updates and reports to the COO. ## Required Skills & Competencies - Strong experience in citrus farming, particularly Valencia oranges, and grower management. - Expertise in agricultural sourcing, contract farming, and supplier relationship management. - Knowledge of packhouse operations, fruit grading, packing, and quality control. - Understanding of fresh-fruit exports, international logistics, and export documentation. - Strong negotiation, coordination, and problem‑solving skills. - Ability to manage multiple stakeholders and travel as required. ## Preferred Candidate Profile - Agriculture graduate with 10–15 years of relevant industry experience. - Candidates with established relationships with citrus growers and packhouses in South Africa will be preferred. - Experience in fresh‑fruit exports to India or other international markets will be an advantage. - Willingness to travel as required by business needs.

At a glance

Location

Hoedspruit, Limpopo, South Africa

Shift

Day

Urgency

Immediate Joining

Openings

1

Job requirements

Experience

10 - 15 years

About The Role

# Job Description: Agronomist / Operations Manager **Company:** The Good Fruit Pte. Ltd. **Location:** Hoedspruit, Limpopo, South Africa **Reporting To:** Chief Operating Officer (COO) **Preferred Age:** 35–45 years **Qualification:** Graduate in Agriculture **Experience:** 10–15 years of experience working with growers, preferably in citrus fruit sourcing, farm operations, and export supply chains. **Salary:** Up to 20% hike on current CTC; higher compensation may be considered for exceptional candidates. ## Role Overview We are looking for an experienced Agronomist Operations Manager to manage grower relationships, source high-quality Valencia oranges, coordinate packhouse operations, and oversee export logistics. The ideal candidate should have strong experience in agricultural sourcing, grower management, fruit quality control, and international export operations. ## Key Responsibilities **1. Grower Management & Fruit Sourcing** - Identify, develop, and maintain relationships with local farmers and citrus growers. - Negotiate sourcing terms and contract with growers for Valencia oranges. - Supervise grower operations to ensure consistent supply and quality. - Monitor fruit quality and ensure compliance with company standards. **2. Packhouse Coordination & Quality Control** - Identify and coordinate with suitable packhouses for fruit packing, grading, and storage. - Work closely with packhouse management to ensure quality standards and packing schedules are met. - Monitor packing operations to ensure efficient handling and minimal wastage. - Ensure compliance with applicable fruit quality, food safety, and export requirements. **3. Export Operations & Logistics** - Coordinate the shipment of packed fruits to India and other international markets. - Work with shipping lines, freight forwarders, and logistics partners to ensure timely and cost-effective transportation. - Oversee export documentation and ensure compliance with applicable international shipping and export regulations. - Coordinate with relevant stakeholders to resolve shipment and supply-chain issues. **4. Operational Planning & Coordination** - Coordinate growers, packhouses, quality teams, and logistics partners to ensure a smooth supply chain. - Monitor sourcing volumes, quality, packing schedules, and shipment timelines. - Identify opportunities to improve operational efficiency and control costs. - Provide regular operational updates and reports to the COO. ## Required Skills & Competencies - Strong experience in citrus farming, particularly Valencia oranges, and grower management. - Expertise in agricultural sourcing, contract farming, and supplier relationship management. - Knowledge of packhouse operations, fruit grading, packing, and quality control. - Understanding of fresh‑fruit exports, international logistics, and export documentation. - Strong negotiation, coordination, and problem‑solving skills. - Ability to manage multiple stakeholders and travel as required. ## Preferred Candidate Profile - Agriculture graduate with 10–15 years of relevant industry experience. - Candidates with established relationships with citrus growers and packhouses in South Africa will be preferred. - Experience in fresh‑fruit exports to India or other international markets will be an advantage. - Willingness to travel as required by business needs.

Must-have skills

• Agronomy & Horticulture
• Citrus Farming & Valencia Orange Sourcing
• Grower / Farmer Relationship Management
• Agricultural Procurement & Sourcing
• Contract Farming & Grower Supervision
• Fresh Produce Quality Control
• Packhouse Operations & Management
• Fruit Grading, Sorting, Packing & Storage
• Post-Harvest Management