Blueberry Farm Manager

Kerry Kopp Consulting; South Africa; On-site; ZAR 420,000 - 660,000; Full time

Job summary

Kerry Kopp Consulting seeks an experienced Farm Manager to take full responsibility for day-to-day farming operations, including production planning, team leadership and cost control. The role focuses on berry production and regenerative practices on site in South Africa.

You will oversee irrigation, fertigation, crop protection, machinery and KPIs, leading field teams to deliver high-quality yields while maintaining safety and environmental standards.

Qualifications

• Degree in Agronomy, Agricultural Engineering or a related field; minimum 5 years of proven farm management experience in berry production.
• Strong track record in managing field teams and agricultural operations.
• Strong technical knowledge of irrigation, fertigation, crop protection and crop management.
• Experience in regenerative agriculture, composting and organic matter management would be an advantage.
• Strong planning, cost-control, decision-making and problem-solving skills.
• Hands-on, autonomous and results-driven.
• Experience with farm management platforms.
• Good written and spoken English.

Responsibilities

• Plan, coordinate and deliver all farming operations throughout the production cycle; Oversee irrigation, fertigation, crop protection, pruning and other crop management activities.
• Lead and organise field teams, ensuring effective execution, productivity and accountability.
• Manage machinery, infrastructure, consumables and other farm resources.
• Manage operational costs against budget, identify deviations and control purchasing requirements.
• Ensure accurate recording of farm activities and monitoring of key operational and production KPIs.
• Lead regenerative farming practices, including compost production and application, compost tea and organic matter management.
• Ensure compliance with quality, health & safety and certification requirements.
• Identify operational issues and implement corrective actions.
• Report regularly to Management on performance, progress, risks and deviations from plan.

Skills

Farm management

Team leadership

Irrigation knowledge

Fertigation

Crop protection & management

Regenerative agriculture

Cost control

English language

Education

Bachelor's degree in Agronomy

Bachelor's degree in Agricultural Engineering

Tools

Farm management platforms

Job description

We are looking for an experienced Farm Manager to take full responsibility for the day-to-day management and execution of the farming operation, including production planning, team leadership, operational performance and cost control.

Key Responsibilities

• Plan, coordinate and deliver all farming operations throughout the production cycle; Oversee irrigation, fertigation, crop protection, pruning and other crop management activities, working closely with external agronomy consultants;
• Lead and organise field teams, ensuring effective execution, productivity and accountability;
• Manage machinery, infrastructure, consumables and other farm resources;
• Manage operational costs against budget, identify deviations and control purchasing requirements;
• Ensure accurate recording of farm activities and monitoring of key operational and production KPIs;
• Lead regenerative farming practices, including compost production and application, compost tea and organic matter management;
• Ensure compliance with quality, health & safety and certification requirements;
• Identify operational issues and implement corrective actions;
• Report regularly to Management on performance, progress, risks and deviations from plan.

Profile

• Degree in Agronomy, Agricultural Engineering or a related field; Minimum 5 years of proven farm management experience in berry production;
• Strong track record in managing field teams and agricultural operations;
• Strong technical knowledge of irrigation, fertigation, crop protection and crop management;
• Experience in regenerative agriculture, composting and organic matter management would be an advantage;
• Strong planning, cost-control, decision-making and problem-solving skills;
• Hands-on, autonomous and results-driven;
• Experience with farm management platforms,
• Good written and spoken English.