FARM MANAGER – MIXED FARMING

Farm Manager SA; Noord-Kaap; On-site; ZAR 600,000 - 1,000,000; Full time

Job summary

Farm Manager SA is seeking an experienced farm manager for a large, diversified operation in rural South Africa. The role covers daily oversight of crop cycles (maize, wheat, lucerne, onions), irrigation scheduling, input procurement, and maintenance coordination across a 520+ hectare footprint.

You will lead farm staff, coordinate contractors, ensure safety, quality and productivity, and engage with local association structures. Availability to live in a rural farming community is required.

Qualifications

• 7+ years farming/farm management experience.
• Experience with wheat, maize & lucerne.
• Pecan nut/orchard experience advantageous.
• Proven experience with large combine harvesters and planting equipment.
• Irrigation scheduling experience.
• Maintenance oriented with proactive troubleshooting of mechanical, structural and operational issues on farm.
• Strong leadership skills and ability to work independently.
• Computer literate.
• Valid driver's license.
• Basic knowledge of rural electrical systems for minor troubleshooting.
• Ability to use smartphones and agricultural apps.
• Record-keeping and log management.
• Comfortable living in a rural farming community and engaging respectfully with local associations.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate routine tasks across the farm and ensure work is completed safely, on time, and to standard.
• Manage full production cycles for crops (maize, wheat, onions, lucerne) including soil prep, planting, watering, fertilizer, pest/disease control and harvest.
• Irrigation scheduling, chemical/fertilizer application, and crop monitoring through harvest and post-harvest storage.
• Oversee ordering for farm inputs and maintenance, sourcing quotes and coordinating with suppliers.
• Oversee water distribution, pump checks and maintenance of water systems across 520+ hectare footprint.
• Lead pecan nut orchards management including inputs, irrigation, harvest and contractor coordination.
• Manage livestock operations: grazing, breeding, health, handling, records and sales.
• Provide clear direction to staff, supervise and delegate tasks, foster team culture and training.
• Maintain safety, environmental and regulatory standards across the operation.

Job description

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

• Agricultural Diploma or equivalent advantageous.
• Min of 7 years relevant farming/farm management experience.
• Previous experience with wheat, maize & lucerne.
• Pecan nut/orchard experience would be advantageous.
• Proven experience working with large combine harvesters and planting equipment essential.
• Experience scheduling and managing irrigation.
• Maintenance orientated. (A proactive, self-reliant approach to troubleshooting and fixing mechanical, structural, and operational issues on farm first before resorting to outside third-party contractors.)
• Strong leadership skills.
• Proven ability to work independently.
• Computer literate.
• Valid driver's license.
• Basic practical knowledge of rural electrical systems for minor troubleshooting.
• Reasonable technical aptitude to use smartphones and agricultural apps, digital.
• Task lists, and record-keeping tools.
• Must be systematic and organized—capable of maintaining structured records and logs digitally or in writing.
• Comfortable living in a rural farming community and engaging respectfully with local association structures.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES INCLUDE BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO:

Manage daily operations

• Coordinate routine tasks across the farm.
• Ensure work is completed correctly, safely and on time.
• Manage the full production cycle for maize, wheat, onions and lucerne - from soil management and soil preparation, planting, watering, fertilizer programs and pest/disease control programs up to harvesting.
• Irrigation scheduling, chemical/fertilizer application, and crop monitoring to harvesting and post-harvest storage - for maize, wheat, lucerne, onions, pecan nuts.
• Manage the end-to-end ordering process for any farming requirements including maintenance and crop inputs (seed, fertilizers, chemicals, etc.). Source quotes, coordinate with agricultural suppliers, manage delivery schedules. Owner will have oversight on key suppliers and programs e.g. seed/fertilizer and chemicals.
• Oversee water distribution, irrigation scheduling, pump checks, and routine upkeep of water delivery systems across the 520+ hectare irrigation footprint.
• Manage and develop pecan nut orchards, including maintenance, inputs, irrigation, harvesting and contractor coordination.
• Manage livestock operations, including grazing, breeding, animal health, handling, records and sales.

Record keeping and controls

• Oversee input stock control in alignment with the crop programs.
• Implement practical operational systems, daily checklists, and safety protocols.
• Maintain disciplined control over purchasing, fuel, feed, chemicals, labour, contractors, machinery and other farm costs.
• Maintain appropriate animal welfare, health and safety, environmental and regulatory standards.

Oversee equipment and maintenance

• Handle preventative maintenance and basic repairs.
• Direct the maintenance, servicing, and operation of all farm vehicles, tractors, trailers, and implements.
• Manage the farm workshop, ensuring all small tools, equipment, and general infrastructure are maintained, organized, and in safe working order.
• Handle basic on-farm electrical troubleshooting and minor electrical repairs.
• Maintain farm infrastructure including roads, fencing, water systems, buildings.

Lead and supervise

• Provide clear direction to staff.
• Supervise, schedule, and delegate tasks to the farm employees.
• Building a strong team and drive and promote positive team culture.
• Must be neat and diligent.
• Manage, lead and develop farm staff and contractors, with clear accountability for work standards and productivity.
• Support training and safe work practices.
• Maintain strong communication across the operation.

Problem-solving and troubleshooting

• Identify issues early and implement clear communication to the owner.
• Adapt to changing conditions (weather, workload, etc.).