Farming Operations Manager

Palesa Mbali Group; Tzaneen; On-site; ZAR 600,000 - 800,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading company seeks an experienced operations leader to execute the production units' operational plans effectively. The role requires expertise in leadership, financial management, and human resources management within the agricultural sector. Responsibilities include managing costs, enhancing quality, and ensuring sustainable practices while delivering on set KPI targets. With a strong emphasis on people management and compliance with safety regulations, this position is ideal for a dynamic individual keen to make a significant impact on productivity and team development.

Qualifications

• 5-10 years experience in an operational environment, preferably agriculture.
• Experience in managing senior managers essential.
• 2-3-years experience with an ERP system or similar.

Responsibilities

• Control cost and drive KPI reporting.
• Manage and report on orchard improvement.
• Develop and implement pest control and warehouse management systems.

Skills

Leadership

Financial management

Human resources management

People management

Business acumen

Results driven

Education

Degree in Agricultural Sciences

Post graduate qualification

Management and Leadership Development Programme

Job description

We seek an experienced leader to execute the operational plan of the production units of our client, through the effective utilization of all its natural, human and financial resources to maximize profits. The incumbent must demonstrate excellent leadership and management skills, financial management and human resources management skills. The incumbent shall have the ability to develop and implement plans aimed at ensuring sustainable and continuous yield, quality improvement and production cost management.

Key Accountabilities :

• Operational Management

Short Term Plans

• Control cost and drive monthly KPI reporting on picking, pruning, fertilizer, irrigation, chemical application
• Orchard performance Evaluation -yield, quality, and production cost.
• Coach and mentor, the team
• Managing and reporting on the implementation of orchard improvement action trackers
• Replant development need analysis.
• Water use and electricity use analysis
• Identifying and implementation of value adding initiatives
• Maintenance of current establishment
• Soil and tree health survey by AGES or Aerobotics

Other Operational Activities

• Develop and implement picking / pruning management system and reporting
• Pest and disease monitoring and control
• Warehouse management and stock control
• Fertiliser and chemical recommendation and application
• Irrigation recommendation and application
• Health and Safety
• Accept and execute 8(2) Role and Responsibilities
• Management and implementation of HSMS
• Delivery on Group set objective and goals.
• Support and achieve and maintenance ISO45001 certification SA Production units
• People Management
• Instil discipline within the management and labour force.
• Setting clear and detailed individual performance agreements, management subordinate, coach, and mentor the team.
• Responsibility for the application of legal and fair labour relation practices, to ensure a peaceful working environment.
• Developing successors for critical positions.
• Create a healthy labour relations environment through continuous employee engagement.
• Financial and Business Management
• Collaborate and participate in setting-up budgets, monitor, allocate resources, review and making monthly estimates adjustments.
• Prepare monthly and / or project finance report for management to provide insight into the company.
• Contribute to the business profitability by managing people and resources, to establish and accomplish business unit objective set targets, in accordance with budget and industry norms.
• Infrastructure Management and Compliance

Infrastructure

• Ensure that statutory obligations, including but not limited to, Dam safety, building registration, EIA, Water Rights, Roads, transport, electricity supply and use, etc.
• Manage the planning, design and implementation of all production related projects.
• Create an inclusive culture.
• D365 Use and Implementation
• Farm costing on block level
• Farming Solutions
• H&S System

Capital Projects

• Conduct and compile feasibility studies for new projects and / or developments.
• Engagement with internal managers for Capital requirements
• Technical Review of capital projects (Capex Requests)
• Setup Business cases, Capex requests and execute projects timeously and within budget.
• Constant performance evaluation of farming practices / activities.
• Develop and implement process flows for all activities.
• Communicating water use entitlements to various farm managers.
• Work with newly established Continuous Improvement Department.
• Liaise with all institutions involved in our operation, to ensure that all available technology and resources are effectively integrated with production practices.
• Co-ordinate the practical implementation of promising research results and relevant literature into production practices.
• Identify areas of future research and motivate for their adoption into the research programs.

Education :

• Degree in Agricultural Sciences or similar
• Post graduate qualification will be advantageous
• Management and Leadership Development Programme is desirable

Experience :

• At least 5-10-years’ experience in operational environment, preferably agriculture
• Experience in managing senior managers essential
• At least 5-years’ experience in role or similar roles on Health and Safety.
• About 2–3-years’ experience with an ERP system or similar
• Valid driver’s license and own transport
• Ability to manage an export subtropical fruit business
• Good people management skills across all levels of the business
• Detailed knowledge of external accreditation requirements for export to the EU
• Financial planning and control
• Knowledge of the legal framework for farming operations in South Africa
• Person of integrity, passion for work, excellence and success
• Good Business acumen
• Results driven team player
• Competent to assess situations and ability to make decisions
• Willingness to travel
• Ability to work under constant pressure
• Self-starter and ability to work independently and as part of a team