Bedryfshoof/Chief Operating Officer (Vegetable Production)

Agrijob; Noord-Kaap; On-site; ZAR 1,800,000 - 2,600,000; Full time

Job summary

Agrijob is seeking a Head of Operations near Kimberley in the Northern Cape to lead a senior management team in a high-impact, multi-unit production and packhouse environment.

The role requires 15+ years of senior management experience in agriculture or large-scale production, with a proven track record in strategic planning, financial oversight, and risk management. A passion for farming and food safety is essential.

Qualifications

• 15+ years senior management experience, preferably in agricultural production or large-scale operations.
• Track record in strategic planning, financial oversight and risk management.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Strong technical acumen with a passion for farming and food production.
• Proven ability to lead at executive level and manage operational detail.
• Ability to maintain high quality and food safety standards.
• Ability to perform under pressure and drive cost efficiency.

Responsibilities

• Lead and inspire a senior management team, set operational strategies and ensure execution of business objectives.
• Oversee daily operations, assets and warehouse processes with emphasis on food safety and quality.
• Manage staff performance, foster development and a culture of accountability.
• Optimize transport, storage and distribution for efficiency and cost-effectiveness.
• Collaborate with engineering and technical teams to improve processes and equipment.
• Monitor performance metrics, enforce cost control and contribute to strategic planning.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with partners and suppliers.

Skills

Strategic leadership

People management

Financial management

Quality and food safety

Communication skills

Negotiation

Time management

Technical aptitude

Agriculture passion

Education

Agriculture or Civil Engineering degree

Job description

See English version below’n Vooraanstaande varsprodukte-maatskappy in Suid-Afrika is op soek na ’n Bedryfshoof om 'n reeds suksesvolle boerderymaatskappy te bestuur, en na nog nuwe hoogtes toe te neem.Hierdie kommersiële boerderymaatskappy is ’n toonaangewende rolspeler in die landboubedryf en voorsien plaaslike en internasionale markte. Bedrywighede sluit groot kommersiële produksie-eenhede en moderne pakhuise met gevorderde tegnologie in.Hierdie is 'n goeie geleentheid vir 'n ervare persoon wat operasionele bestuurservaring het om 'n sleutelrol in die maatskappy op te neem, om sodoende sy/haar innoverende benadering te kom toepas in 'n vinnige, hoë-impak bedryf.Dit is 'n senior bestuursposisie en vereis ’n kandidaat wat gemaklik op uitvoerende vlak kan funksioneer, maar ook die vermoë het om fyn operasionele besonderhede te bestuur. Dit sluit in mensebestuur, finansiële bestuur en te verseker dat streng voedselveiligheid- en kwaliteitstandaarde in ’n omvattende produksie- en pakhuisomgewing gehandhaaf word.

Verantwoordelikhede:

Uitvoerende Leierskap:

Lei en motiveer ’n senior bestuurspan, implementeer operasionele strategieë en verseker die doeltreffende bereiking van besigheidsdoelwitte.

Operasionele Uitnemendheid:

Bestuur daaglikse bedrywighede, bates en pakhuisprosesse terwyl streng nakoming van voedselveiligheid- en kwaliteitsstandaarde gehandhaaf word. Fokus op proaktiewe probleemoplossing, ingeligte besluitneming en die bevordering van operasionele uitnemendheid.

Mensebestuur:

Bevorder spanontwikkeling, bestuur personeel se prestasie-doelwitte, en vestig ’n kultuur waar werknemers verantwoordelikheid neem en saamwerk as 'n span.

Logistiek en Voorsieningsketting:

Optimaliseer vervoer, opberging en verspreiding van produkte om optimum doeltreffendheid en kostebesparing te verseker.

Ingenieurs- en Tegniese Samewerking:

Werk ten nouste saam met tegniese en ingenieurspanne om prosesse te verbeter, asook die effektiwiteit van toerusting.

Finansiële en Strategiese Toesig:

Monitor sleutelprestasiemaatstawwe, verseker doeltreffende kostebeheer en wees betrokke by strategiese beplanning, uitbreiding en beleggingsgeleenthede.

Bestuur van vennote en betrokkenes:

Bou en handhaaf sterk verhoudings met kernvennote, verskaffers en ander belanghebbendes.

Kandidaat vereistes:

• Toepaslike tersiêre kwalifikasie in landbou- of siviele Ingenieurswese of verwante rigtings.
• Minstens 15 jaar senior bestuurservaring, verkieslik in 'n operasionele landbouomgewing, voedselproduksie of grootskaalse industriële bedrywighede.
• Bewese prestasierekord in strategiese beplanning, finansiële bestuur en risiko-oorsig.
• Sterk tegniese aanleg.
• 'n Ware passie vir landbou is noodsaaklik.
• Uitstekende mondelinge en skriftelike kommunikasievaardighede
• Goeie aanbiedingsvaardighede, interpersoonlike verhoudinge en onderhandelingsvermoëns.
• Vermoë om onder druk te kan funksioneer, aktiewe dryf van prioritieite, goeie tydsbestuur en deurlopend hoë standaarde na te streef en te handhaaf.

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Chief Operating Officer (Vegetable Production)

A leading fresh produce company in South Africa is seeking a Head of Operations to strengthen its executive team. The position is based near Kimberley in the Northern Cape.The company is a prominent player in the agricultural sector, supplying both local and international markets. Its operations span multiple large-scale production units and modern warehouse facilities.This opportunity offers an experienced operational leader the chance to play a pivotal role in driving performance, growth, and innovation within a dynamic, high-impact environment.The senior management role requires a candidate who is comfortable operating at executive level, while also capable of managing operational detail. This includes people management, financial discipline, and maintaining strict quality standards in a demanding production and packhouse environment.

Key Responsibilities:

• Executive Leadership: Lead and inspire a senior management team, set operational strategies, and ensure seamless execution of business objectives.
• Operational Excellence: Oversee daily operations, assets, and warehouse processes while ensuring compliance with food safety and quality standards. Focus on proactive problem-solving, sound decision-making, and driving operational excellence.
• People Management: Manage staff, foster team development, oversee performance management, and establish a culture of accountability and collaboration.
• Logistics and Supply Chain: Manage transport, storage, and distribution to ensure efficiency and cost-effectiveness.
• Engineering and Technical Collaboration: Work closely with technical and engineering teams to optimize processes and equipment performance.
• Financial and Strategic Oversight: Monitor performance metrics, ensure cost control, and contribute to strategic planning, expansion, and investment initiatives.
• Stakeholder Management: Build and maintain strong relationships with key partners, suppliers, and stakeholders.

Position Requirements:

• At least 15 years of senior management experience, ideally in agriculture, food production, or large-scale industrial operations.
• Proven track record in strategic planning, financial management, and risk oversight.
• Relevant tertiary qualification in Agriculture, Civil Engineering, or related fields.
• Strong technical aptitude.
• A genuine passion for agriculture is essential.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Strong presentation, negotiation, and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to prioritize under pressure, meet deadlines, and consistently uphold high standards.