Farm IT and Data Systems Manager

Placements24; Vereeniging; Hybrid; ZAR 800,000 - 1,200,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work arrangement

Competitive salary

Modern IT resources

Professional development

Collaborative environment

Sustainable agriculture

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Farm IT and Data Systems Manager in Vereeniging, Gauteng. The role combines on-site IT supervision with remote system analysis, development, and reporting to boost farm efficiency. You will oversee farm management software, sensor networks, data storage, and cybersecurity.

The ideal candidate has a strong IT and data analytics background, plus experience with agricultural processes and ERP/FMS tools. A hybrid work model and opportunities to drive innovation are offered.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Information Technology, Computer Science, Data Science, or related field.
• Minimum 5 years of experience in IT management, data systems, or similar, preferably in agriculture.
• Experience with farm management software/ERP (e.g., SAP Agri, Cropio, FarmLogs) is highly desirable.
• Proficiency with data analysis tools (Excel, Python, R, Power BI).
• Understanding of agricultural operations and cybersecurity best practices.

Responsibilities

• Manage the farm IT infrastructure: hardware, software, networks, and telecommunications.
• Oversee implementation, maintenance, and support of farm management software and ERP systems.
• Develop and manage databases for collecting, storing, and analyzing agricultural data.
• Ensure data integrity, security, and compliance with privacy regulations.
• Configure and manage sensor networks and IoT devices for monitoring farm conditions.
• Provide technical support to farm staff on IT-related issues.
• Develop dashboards and reports to visualize KPIs for farm management.
• Collaborate with external vendors and IT service providers.
• Stay updated on emerging technologies in agricultural IT and data management.
• Develop and implement IT policies and disaster recovery plans.

Skills

IT management

Data analytics

Cybersecurity

Stakeholder comms

Education

Bachelor's degree in IT / CS / Data Science

Tools

SQL

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a significant agricultural operation in the Vereeniging, Gauteng region, is seeking a qualified Farm IT and Data Systems Manager. This role is essential for optimizing farm efficiency through the strategic management of technology and data. It involves a hybrid work model, combining on-site supervision of IT infrastructure and data collection points with remote responsibilities for system analysis, development, and reporting. You will be responsible for overseeing the farm's information technology systems, including farm management software, sensor networks, data storage, and cybersecurity. The ideal candidate will possess a strong background in IT, data analytics, and a solid understanding of agricultural processes. You will play a key role in ensuring that data is accurately captured, securely stored, and effectively utilized to inform decision-making across all farm operations. This position offers a unique opportunity to bridge the gap between technology and agriculture, driving innovation and efficiency in a vital industry. Your ability to manage both physical infrastructure and virtual systems will be crucial.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage the farm's IT infrastructure, including hardware, software, networks, and telecommunications.
• Oversee the implementation, maintenance, and support of farm management software (FMS) and enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems.
• Develop and manage databases for collecting, storing, and analyzing agricultural data (e.g., yield, weather, soil, operational).
• Ensure data integrity, security, and compliance with privacy regulations.
• Configure and manage sensor networks and IoT devices used for monitoring farm conditions.
• Provide technical support to farm staff on IT-related issues.
• Develop reports and dashboards to visualize key performance indicators (KPIs) for farm management.
• Collaborate with external vendors and IT service providers.
• Stay updated on emerging technologies in agricultural IT and data management.
• Develop and implement IT policies and disaster recovery plans.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Information Technology, Computer Science, Data Science, or a related field.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in IT management, data systems, or a similar role, preferably within agriculture.
• Strong knowledge of database management (SQL, NoSQL), cloud computing (AWS, Azure), and network administration.
• Experience with farm management software (e.g., SAP Agri, Cropio, FarmLogs) is highly desirable.
• Proficiency in data analysis tools and techniques (e.g., Excel, Python, R, Power BI).
• Understanding of agricultural operations and terminology.
• Excellent problem-solving, analytical, and project management skills.
• Effective communication and interpersonal skills for collaborating with technical and non-technical staff.
• Ability to work effectively in a hybrid model, managing both remote and on-site responsibilities.
• Experience with cybersecurity best practices is essential.

Benefits

• Competitive salary reflecting your expertise.
• Hybrid work arrangement offering a blend of office and remote flexibility.
• Opportunity to shape the technological future of a significant agricultural operation.
• Access to modern IT resources and professional development.
• Collaborative work environment with a focus on innovation.
• Contribution to the efficiency and sustainability of agriculture in Gauteng .