packhouse manager

Farm Manager SA; South Africa; On-site; ZAR 600 000 - 800 000; Full time

Job summary

A leading company in South Africa is seeking a Senior Pack House Manager to oversee operations, ensuring quality and efficiency. The role involves managing teams, optimizing workflows, and adhering to international standards in produce export. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in agriculture or operations management, with proven leadership skills and financial acumen. Join us to drive operational excellence and maintain high standards in product quality.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience in pack house or post-harvest management.
• Knowledge of international quality standards for produce export.

Responsibilities

• Lead and optimize all pack house activities.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives for quality and efficiency.
• Manage budgets, forecasts, and financial analysis.

Skills

Leadership

Problem Solving

Detail-Oriented

Financial Acumen

Education

Bachelor's degree in Agriculture

Bachelor's degree in Operations Management

Job description

Job Summary

This is a senior leadership position that oversees all aspects of pack house operations, ensuring alignment with quality KPIs, volume targets, and cost efficiency.

Minimum Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Agriculture, Operations Management, or a related field.
• 5+ years of experience in pack house or post-harvest management, preferably within fresh produce export.
• Strong leadership skills with experience in team building and operations management.
• Knowledge of international quality standards for produce export.
• Proven ability to drive operational efficiency and quality improvement.

Key Competencies

Detail-Oriented

• Ability to manage complex workflows and maintain a high level of quality.

Problem Solving

• Skilled in troubleshooting and resolving operational challenges.

Leadership

• Demonstrated experience in developing and leading high-performance teams.

Financial Acumen

• Ability to manage budgets, forecasts, and cost-control measures.

Key Responsibilities

General Pack House Operations Management

• Lead and optimize all pack house activities, ensuring alignment with quality KPIs, volume targets, and cost efficiency.
• Coordinate with the marketing team to align production with market requirements and available crop volume.

Infrastructure Development

• Oversee the setup and maintenance of necessary infrastructure, including cold rooms, forklifts, and other equipment vital to packaging and export.

Continuous Improvement & Operational Excellence

• Drive continuous improvement initiatives to enhance quality and efficiency in every stage of the pack house process, from grading and packing to dispatching.
• Develop, implement, and refine SOPs to ensure high-quality operations.

Production and Logistics Planning

• Plan and manage all aspects of production, including receiving, grading, packing, palletizing, and cold storage for optimal freshness and compliance.

Quality Control & Compliance

• Ensure adherence to hygiene, health, and safety standards throughout all pack house operations.
• Establish and monitor quality control processes to meet export standards.

Team Leadership and Development

• Recruit, train, and lead a skilled operational team to drive performance and productivity.
• Build depth in skills and capacity within the team to support operational growth.

Global Best Practices

• Implement international best practices in quality and productivity while integrating locally relevant innovations.

Financial Oversight

• Manage budgets, forecasts, and financial analysis to optimize pack house performance.
• Plan for financial needs and resource allocation in alignment with production demands.

Reputation Management

• Maintain the business's reputation by ensuring the highest standards in product quality, integrity, and safety.