Farm Operations Director - Diversified Crops & Livestock

Placements24; Sandton; On-site; ZAR 2,000,000 - 3,500,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Executive health benefits

Company car

Performance-based bonuses

Job summary

Placements24 in Sandton, Gauteng, South Africa, seeks a seasoned Farm Operations Director to lead our client's diversified farming portfolio. You will shape strategic plans for crop and livestock operations, oversee farm managers, optimize resources, and drive profitability across multi-site sites.

Reporting to executive management, you will manage budgets, KPIs, safety and sustainability initiatives, and foster innovation in farming technology while navigating South Africa's regulatory

Qualifications

• Master's degree in Agriculture, Agribusiness Management, or related field (MBA advantageous).
• Minimum 10 years of progressive leadership in large-scale diversified agricultural operations.
• Proven success in strategic planning, operational management, and financial oversight in agriculture.
• Expertise in crop production and livestock management.
• Strong leadership, communication, negotiation, and decision-making skills.
• Experience managing complex budgets and driving profitability.
• Knowledge of modern farming technologies and sustainable practices.
• Familiarity with South African agricultural landscape and regulatory environment.
• Ability to travel to farm sites.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement strategic plans for all farm operations, including crops and livestock.
• Lead farm managers and teams to ensure efficiency and best practices.
• Allocate and optimize resources across land, labour, equipment and capital.
• Prepare and manage annual operating budgets, P&L, and capex plans.
• Track KPIs across operations to improve performance.
• Ensure compliance with agricultural, environmental, health and safety regulations.
• Drive innovation in farming techniques, tech adoption and sustainable practices.
• Oversee procurement and sales across inputs and outputs.
• Foster a strong safety culture and employee wellbeing.
• Report performance to executive management and stakeholders.

Skills

Strategic leadership

Budget management

Operational management

Stakeholder management

Team leadership

Education

Master's degree in Agriculture / related field

MBA (advantageous)

Tools

Farm management software

Data analytics tools

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a significant agricultural conglomerate with operations in the **Sandton, Gauteng** region, is seeking a highly experienced and strategic Farm Operations Director. This senior leadership role is responsible for overseeing and directing all aspects of our client's diversified farming operations, encompassing both large-scale crop production and extensive livestock management. The ideal candidate will possess a proven track record in strategic planning, operational efficiency, financial management, and team leadership within the agricultural sector. This position requires a deep understanding of market dynamics, sustainable farming practices, and the ability to drive innovation across multiple agricultural disciplines. Based in the commercial hub of **Sandton**, this role offers the opportunity to shape the future of a major agricultural enterprise in **Gauteng**. The successful applicant will be accountable for achieving production targets, managing significant budgets, and ensuring the long‑term viability and profitability of the entire farm portfolio. This is a demanding but highly rewarding opportunity for a seasoned agricultural professional ready to take on ultimate responsibility for farm operations.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and execute comprehensive strategic plans for all farm operations, including crop cultivation and livestock management.
• Oversee and direct farm managers and their teams, ensuring operational efficiency and adherence to best practices.
• Manage the allocation and optimization of resources, including land, labor, equipment, and capital.
• Develop and manage annual operating budgets, P&L statements, and capital expenditure plans for all farm units.
• Implement and monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) across all operations to drive performance improvement.
• Ensure compliance with all relevant agricultural, environmental, health, and safety regulations.
• Drive innovation in farming techniques, technology adoption, and sustainable practices.
• Oversee supply chain management, including procurement of inputs and sales of produce/livestock.
• Foster a strong safety culture and ensure the well‑being of all employees.
• Report on operational performance to executive management and stakeholders.

Requirements

• A Master's degree in Agriculture, Agribusiness Management, or a related field. An MBA would be advantageous.
• A minimum of 10 years of progressive leadership experience in managing large-scale, diversified agricultural operations.
• Demonstrated success in strategic planning, operational management, and financial oversight in agriculture.
• Expertise in both crop production and livestock management is essential.
• Strong leadership, communication, negotiation, and decision‑making skills.
• Proven ability to manage complex budgets and drive profitability.
• In‑depth knowledge of modern farming technologies and sustainable agricultural practices.
• Familiarity with the South African agricultural landscape and regulatory environment.
• Ability to travel to various farm sites as needed.
• A strategic mindset with a results‑oriented approach.

Benefits

Our client offers an executive-level compensation package, including a substantial salary, performance-based bonuses, company car, and comprehensive executive health benefits. This is a senior leadership position with significant influence and opportunities for career advancement within a major agricultural group. You will be based in the prestigious **Sandton** area, **Gauteng**, working at the forefront of agricultural management in **South Africa**. Enjoy the challenge of leading diverse operations and contributing to the strategic growth of a respected industry leader.