Assistant Manager - Bethal Cold Storage, Bethal Mpumalanga

VKB Agriculture; Bethal; On-site; ZAR 201,000 - 312,000; Full time

Job summary

VKB Agriculture seeks a proactive Assistant Manager for Bethal Cold Rooms to support daily cold‑room operations, supervise staff, ensure safety, and optimize storage and handling of agricultural products. You will balance floor duties with administrative tasks, while maintaining strong customer relationships and reporting.

Applicants should have Grade 12 and a relevant diploma/degree in agriculture, with forklift licence and potato storage exposure as advantages.

Qualifications

• Grade 12 / National Senior Certificate.
• Diploma or Degree in Agriculture or related field preferred.
• Experience in warehouse, storage or cold room operations is desirable.
• Experience in staff supervision and people management is required.

Responsibilities

• Support the management and daily operations of the cold room facility.
• Assist with warehouse and storage space planning.
• Coordinate storage and handling activities to optimize operating efficiency.
• Supervise and manage employees within the facility.
• Maintain effective customer relationships and stakeholder engagement.
• Assist with operational reporting and administrative functions.
• Ensure compliance with company procedures, safety standards and operational requirements.
• Support continuous improvement initiatives within the facility.

Skills

Leadership

Planning

Problem solving

Attention to detail

Customer focus

Communication

Time management

Administration & reporting

Staff supervision

Education

Grade 12 / National Senior Certificate

Diploma or Degree in Agriculture

Tools

Excel

Word

PowerPoint

Job description

Introduction to the VKB Group

The VKB Group is an agricultural company, providing support to farmers and producing straight-from-the farm-foods for consumers. Apart from the various consumer brands, the VKB Group is also represented by its regional brands: VKB, GWK and NTK. Our roots are firmly planted in agriculture with farming at our core, continuously growing and evolving throughout the years.

Starting with providing everything needed on the farm to produce food, we now also operate in all areas of the food supply chain: processing, logistics, and national and global market channels.

This “house of brands” we’ve established with the support of our farmer shareholders is the foundation for building the agribusiness of the future.

More about Bethal Cold Rooms

Bethal Cold Rooms forms part of VKB Group's value chain in the agricultural sector, providing storage and handling solutions for fresh produce. We are seeking a proactive and results-driven Assistant Manager to support the day-to-day operations of the facility while assisting with staff management, customer service, administration and warehouse planning.

The Role

The successful candidate will work closely with the Cold Rooms Manager to ensure the efficient operation of the facility, maintain high service standards, and contribute to the effective storage and handling of agricultural products, particularly potatoes. The position requires an individual who is equally comfortable operating on the floor and managing administrative responsibilities.

Key Responsibilities

• Support the management and daily operations of the cold room facility.
• Assist with warehouse and storage space planning.
• Coordinate storage and handling activities to optimize operational efficiency.
• Supervise and manage employees within the facility.
• Maintain effective customer relationships and stakeholder engagement.
• Assist with operational reporting and administrative functions.
• Ensure compliance with company procedures, safety standards and operational requirements.
• Support continuous improvement initiatives within the facility.

Minimum Requirements

• Grade 12 / National Senior Certificate.
• Valid driver's licence.
• Computer literacy, including Microsoft Excel, Word and PowerPoint.
• Experience in warehouse, storage or cold room operations.
• Experience in staff supervision and people management.
• Strong customer service and relationship management skills.
• The ability to operate effectively in both operational and administrative environments.
• Experience within the potato industry will be a distinct advantage.

Preferred Qualifications and Experience

• Diploma or Degree in Agriculture or a related field.
• Valid forklift licence.
• Exposure to agricultural storage, packaging or supply chain environments.
• Experience in warehouse space optimization and inventory management.

Skills and Competencies

• Leadership and people management
• Planning and organising
• Problem solving and decision making
• Attention to detail
• Customer focus
• Communication and interpersonal skills
• Time management
• Administrative and reporting skills

What We Offer

• Opportunity to contribute to a growing agricultural business.
• Exposure to a dynamic cold storage and agricultural operation.
• Career development opportunities within the VKB Group.

Other Information

• The company can expire jobs at any time at their own discretion.
• VKB Group and/or its subsidiary companies will use any personal data collected through the job opportunities section of this website for recruitment purposes only and, should your application be successful, for purposes connected with your employment.
• VKB Group is an equal opportunity employer. VKB Group’s approved Employment Equity Plan and Targets will be considered as part of the recruitment process aligned to VKB Group’s Employment Equity & Transformation Strategy. VKB Group actively supports the recruitment of People with Disabilities