Farming Operations Manager

Westfalia Fruit; Tzaneen; On-site; ZAR 600,000 - 800,000; Full time

Job summary

Westfalia Fruit in Tzaneen seeks an experienced Farming Operations Manager to lead operational plans and resource management. This role involves ensuring sustainable production practices, managing safety compliance, and developing team members to drive innovation and quality improvements. Candidates should possess a degree in Agricultural Sciences and relevant operational experience.

Benefits

Total Guaranteed Remuneration Package

Provident fund

Insured benefits

Annual bonus option

Qualifications

• At least 5-10 years experience in an operational environment, preferably agriculture.
• At least 5 years experience in role or similar roles on Health and Safety.
• 2-3 years experience with an ERP system or similar.

Responsibilities

• Execute operational plans through effective utilization of resources.
• Manage KPIs and orchard performance evaluations.
• Ensure compliance with health and safety management systems.

Skills

Leadership

Financial Management

Operational Management

People Management

Analytical Problem-Solving

Attention to Detail

Education

Degree in Agricultural Sciences

Post graduate qualification

Tools

ERP System

MS Office

Job description

Westfalia Fruit is a leading global supplier of fresh fruit and related value-added products to international markets. Through our vertically-integrated supply chain we grow, source, ripen, pack, process and market quality avocadoes & fresh produce – 365 days a year & across the globe.

With the largest avocado-growing footprint in the world, we are recognised as avocado experts and considered as the supplier of choice to both retail & wholesale customers whom we serve from sales offices in the UK, Europe, North America, Latin America & Southern Africa.

Westfalia Fruit Estate, situated in Tzaneen has an open role for a suitably qualified and experienced: Farming Operations Manager – Tzaneen

Purpose of the role:

We seek an experienced leader to execute the operational plan of the production units of Westfalia Fruit, 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:

1. 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

Medium Term Plans

• 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

2. 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

3. People Management

• Instill 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.

4. 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.

5. 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.

6. Continuous Improvement

• 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 essential

• 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
• 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
• Computer literate – Expert level (MS office)
• Valid driver’s license and own transport

Behavioural Competencies:

• 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
• Excellent communicator
• 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
• Analytical problem-solving ability
• Attention to detail

The Company offers a Total Guaranteed Remuneration Package which comprises provident fund, insured benefits, and an option to structure an annual bonus.

Closing date for applications will be 10 July 2025

NB: Should you not receive correspondence 15 August 2025, please regard your application as being unsuccessful.