Horticultural Manager - Hydroponic & Aquaponic Systems

Placements24; Mossel Bay; In loco; ZAR 600.000 - 900.000; Tempo pieno

Vantaggi offerti da questo lavoro

Competitive salary and incentives

Health insurance and retirement fund

Paid annual leave and sick leave

Professional development in controlled

Access to advanced horticultural tech

Relocation assistance may be available

Employee discounts on fresh produce

Collaborative team environment

Advancement opportunities

Descrizione del lavoro

Placements24 in Mossel Bay, Western Cape, seeks a hands-on Horticultural Manager to lead our state-of-the-art facility, overseeing hydroponic and aquaponic operations, optimizing crop production and resource efficiency.

You will manage a team of growers, implement nutrient management, IPM, and environmental monitoring to ensure high-quality produce for local and regional markets in a fast-paced, on-site role.

Competenze

• Bachelor's degree in Horticulture or related field
• Minimum 5 years hands-on hydroponic/aquaponic experience
• Proven team leadership and delegation
• Strong knowledge of plant physiology & nutrient management
• Experience with environmental control systems and sensors
• Excellent problem-solving and data analysis skills
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills

Mansioni

• Oversee daily hydroponic and aquaponic operations
• Manage nutrient solutions, pH, and water quality
• Implement IPM strategies for soilless systems
• Supervise and train horticultural team
• Monitor environmental controls (temp, humidity, CO2, lighting)
• Develop crop production plans including seeding and harvesting
• Manage inventory of seeds, nutrients, media and supplies
• Ensure adherence to food safety standards and QC
• Troubleshoot plant health, system performance, or environmental control
• Contribute to R&D for new varieties and system improvements

Conoscenze

Team leadership

Hydroponics

Aquaponics

Nutrient management

Pest & disease control

Environmental monitoring

Data analysis

Problem solving

Formazione

Bachelor's degree in Horticulture or related field

Descrizione del lavoro

About the Role

Our client, a pioneer in advanced controlled environment agriculture, is seeking a skilled Horticultural Manager to lead operations at their state-of-the-art facility in Mossel Bay, Western Cape. This position requires extensive experience in managing hydroponic and aquaponic systems, with a focus on optimizing crop production, resource efficiency, and product quality. You will be responsible for overseeing all horticultural activities, managing a team of growers, and implementing best practices in nutrient management, pest and disease control, and environmental monitoring. The role is crucial for ensuring the consistent supply of high-quality produce to local and regional markets. You will be at the forefront of sustainable urban farming, contributing to innovative solutions for food production in a challenging environment. This is an on-site role demanding a hands-on approach and a deep understanding of soilless cultivation techniques.

Key Responsibilities

• Oversee the daily operations of hydroponic and aquaponic growing systems, ensuring optimal plant growth and yield.
• Manage nutrient solution composition, pH levels, and water quality monitoring.
• Implement integrated pest and disease management (IPM) strategies suitable for soilless culture.
• Supervise and train a team of horticultural technicians and growers.
• Monitor environmental controls, including temperature, humidity, CO2 levels, and lighting.
• Develop and implement crop production plans, including seeding, transplanting, and harvesting schedules.
• Manage inventory of seeds, nutrients, growing media, and other horticultural supplies.
• Ensure adherence to food safety standards and quality control protocols.
• Troubleshoot and resolve any issues related to plant health, system performance, or environmental control.
• Contribute to research and development efforts for new crop varieties and system improvements.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Horticulture, Agronomy, Plant Science, or a related field.
• Minimum of 5 years of hands‑on experience managing hydroponic and/or aquaponic systems.
• Proven ability to manage teams and delegate tasks effectively.
• Strong knowledge of plant physiology, nutrient management, and pest/disease control in soilless environments.
• Experience with environmental control systems and sensors.
• Excellent problem‑solving and analytical skills.
• Proficiency in record‑keeping and data analysis related to crop production.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work in a fast‑paced production environment.
• A passion for sustainable agriculture and innovative growing techniques.

Benefits

• Competitive salary and performance‑based incentives.
• Health insurance plan and retirement fund contributions.
• Paid annual leave and sick leave.
• Opportunities for professional development in controlled environment agriculture.
• Access to advanced horticultural technology and research.
• Work in a dynamic and growing industry contributing to sustainable food solutions.
• Relocation assistance may be available for qualified candidates.
• Employee discounts on fresh produce.
• A supportive and collaborative team environment.
• Potential for advancement to higher management roles.