Cultivation Operations Lead

Mayfly Agri; Somerset West; On-site; ZAR 480,000 - 720,000; Full time

Job summary

Mayfly Agri is seeking a seasoned cultivation manager to lead greenhouse and tunnel operations, oversee crop cycles, and optimise resources for peak production. The role requires strong leadership, analytical acumen, and deep knowledge of plant biology and cultivation systems.

The successful candidate will drive safety, data-informed decisions, and continuous improvement, coordinating with Production, QC, Maintenance, and Technical teams to meet production targets and improve yields.

Qualifications

• Must have National Senior Certificate and a Higher Diploma or Degree in Agriculture, Horticulture, Plant Science, Mycology, or related field.
• Minimum 5 years' hands-on experience in an agricultural or cultivation environment.
• Proven experience managing teams within production, farming or cultivation environments.
• Experience in controlled environments such as greenhouses, tunnels, indoor farming, or intensive agriculture will be advantageous.
• Strong understanding of plant biology, horticultural, agronomy, and cultivation principles.
• Knowledge of mycology and fungal cultivation systems will be advantageous.
• Must have an understanding of quality standards, contamination control, SOPs, and SHEQ requirements.
• Strong analytical, planning, and problem-solving skills.
• Sound computer literacy with the ability to interpret and manage operational data.
• Ability to work effectively within both operational and administrative environments.

Responsibilities

• Planning and managing cultivation activities across greenhouse and tunnel environments.
• Overseeing crop cycles from planting through to harvest readiness.
• Optimising cultivation capacity, resources, and scheduling.
• Aligning cultivation output with production requirements.
• Managing environmental conditions to ensure optimal crop growth.
• Overseeing irrigation, fertigation, climate control, and environmental monitoring systems.
• Ensuring cultivation infrastructure and equipment are maintained and operating efficiently.
• Identifying and mitigating environmental and infrastructure-related risks.
• Monitoring crop health, yield, and quality performance.
• Analysing cultivation data to identify trends and improvement opportunities.
• Implementing corrective and preventative actions to improve productivity and reduce losses.
• Supporting cultivation trials and innovation initiatives.
• Managing cultivation inputs, including seed, media, nutrients, and biological materials.
• Maintaining accurate records and full traceability of crops and environmental conditions.
• Ensuring compliance with SOPs, SHEQ standards, hygiene requirements, and contamination control procedures.
• Maintaining audit readiness and effective reporting systems.
• Coordinating preventative and corrective maintenance activities.
• Ensuring critical equipment and infrastructure remain safe, compliant, and operational.
• Managing maintenance-related risks and minimising operational downtime.
• Leading, developing, and motivating cultivation teams.
• Managing workforce planning and labour utilisation.
• Driving accountability, performance excellence, and continuous development.
• Promoting a culture of safety, operational discipline, and continuous improvement.
• Partnering with Production, Quality Control, Maintenance, and Technical teams.
• Leading cultivation forecasting, scheduling, and planning activities.
• Contributing to budgeting processes and cost optimisation initiatives.
• Identifying opportunities to improve yields, efficiencies, and operational performance.

Skills

Analytical skills

Planning

Problem solving

Team management

Plant biology knowledge

Mycology knowledge

Quality standards & SHEQ

Computer literacy

Data interpretation

Education

National Senior Certificate

Higher Diploma or Degree in Agriculture/Horticulture/Plant Science/Mycology

Job description

Mayfly Agri is seeking a seasoned cultivation manager to lead greenhouse and tunnel operations, oversee crop cycles, and optimise resources for peak production. The role requires strong leadership, analytical acumen, and deep knowledge of plant biology and cultivation systems.

The successful candidate will drive safety, data-informed decisions, and continuous improvement, coordinating with Production, QC, Maintenance, and Technical teams to meet production targets and improve yields.