Farm Operations Supervisor - Viticulture

Placements24; Upington; On-site; ZAR 220,000 - 360,000; Full time

Job summary

Placements24 is looking for a Farm Operations Supervisor to oversee viticulture activities in Upington. The role is hands-on, requires vineyard experience, and involves leading a team of farm workers to perform pruning, trellising, irrigation, and harvesting to high standards.

The candidate should have 3-5 years of vineyard or farm operations experience, plus supervisory skills and knowledge of vineyard practices.

Qualifications

• 3-5 years of vineyard or farm operations experience.
• Previous supervisory experience preferred.
• Good understanding of viticulture practices (pruning, trellising, irrigation, pest control).
• Ability to manage and motivate a team of farm laborers.
• Basic record-keeping skills.
• Familiarity with agricultural machinery and tools.
• Strong work ethic and ability to work outdoors.

Responsibilities

• Supervise vineyard workers and coordinate daily tasks.
• Oversee planting, pruning, tying, trellising, and canopy management.
• Ensure correct application of fertilizers, pesticides, and herbicides per farm plan.
• Monitor irrigation systems and manage water usage.
• Assist in planning and execution of grape harvesting.
• Ensure health, safety, and environmental protocols are followed.
• Train new workers on tasks and best practices.
• Maintain basic labor and crop records.
• Report daily progress and resource needs to Farm Manager.
• Contribute to overall health and productivity of the vineyards.

Skills

Team leadership

Viticulture

Pruning

Trellising

Irrigation

Harvesting

Record keeping

English

Afrikaans

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a prominent agricultural producer in the Upington, Northern Cape region, is seeking a diligent and motivated Farm Operations Supervisor to oversee daily activities within their viticulture operations. This role is hands-on and requires a strong understanding of vineyard management practices, grape cultivation, and team leadership. You will be responsible for guiding a team of farm workers, ensuring tasks such as pruning, trellising, spraying, irrigation, and harvesting are performed efficiently and to high standards. The ideal candidate will possess practical experience in vineyards and a commitment to maintaining the quality and productivity of the grape crops.

Key Responsibilities

• Supervise and coordinate the daily activities of vineyard workers to ensure efficient execution of tasks.
• Oversee vineyard operations including planting, pruning, tying, trellising, and canopy management.
• Ensure timely and correct application of fertilizers, pesticides, and herbicides as per the farm plan.
• Monitor irrigation systems and manage water application to meet crop needs.
• Assist in the planning and execution of grape harvesting operations.
• Ensure adherence to health, safety, and environmental protocols within the vineyard.
• Train new workers on specific tasks and best practices.
• Maintain basic records of labor activities, inputs, and crop observations.
• Report on daily progress, challenges, and required resources to the Farm Manager.
• Contribute to maintaining the overall health and productivity of the vineyards.

Requirements

• A minimum of 3-5 years of experience in vineyard or general farm operations.
• Previous supervisory experience preferred.
• Good understanding of viticulture practices (pruning, trellising, irrigation, pest control).
• Ability to manage and motivate a team of farm laborers.
• Basic record-keeping skills.
• Familiarity with agricultural machinery and tools.
• Strong work ethic and physical ability to work outdoors in agricultural settings.
• Good communication skills in English and/or Afrikaans.