Junior Production Manager

United Exports; Worcester; On-site; ZAR 250,000 - 400,000; Full time

Job summary

United Exports is seeking a Junior Production Manager to support farming operations focused on blueberry production. The role involves managing daily production tasks, overseeing staff, ensuring compliance with agricultural practices, and requires a background in agriculture or horticulture.

Qualifications

• 3 years similar experience in a commercial farm setting.
• Experience farming blueberries preferred.
• Knowledge of horticultural practices.

Responsibilities

• Assisting with Production Management and Team Supervision.
• Conducting crop inspections and implementing corrective actions.
• Monitoring irrigation and fertigation schedules.

Skills

Communication

Leadership

Analytical Skills

Problem-Solving

Organizational Skills

People Management

Education

Degree or Diploma in Agriculture or Horticulture

Certificates in Farming Activities (e.g. Irrigation)

Tools

MS Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint)

Job description

The Junior Production Manager at Hex Berries supports the Production Manager in executing day-to-day farming operations, ensuring efficient production, adherence to farming best practices, and achieving yield targets. This role involves coordinating farming activities, managing staff, monitoring crop health, and maintaining farm assets, while also developing leadership skills for future growth in farm management.

Key Performance Outputs

• Overall assistance with Production Management, Business Operational Planning, Team Supervision and Human Resource planning, Admin and Compliance Management
• Ensure daily and weekly production targets are met
• Conduct regular crop inspections and implement corrective actions
• Monitor irrigation and fertigation schedules for optimal plant growth
• Assist in implementing short and long term farm strategies
• Identify operational risks and assist in mitigation strategies
• Collaborate with the Production Manager on efficiency improvements
• Supervise and train team leaders and farm workers
• Enforce adherence to safety, labour regulations, and farm policies
• Support workforce planning and performance monitoring
• Ensure accurate record-keeping for production activities
• Assist in farm compliance audits and reporting
• Maintain quality assurance in line with company and industry standards
• Monitor farm equipment usage and assist with maintenance scheduling
• Ensure proper handling and care of farm tools and machinery

Requirements

Qualification / Experience

• Degree or Diploma in agriculture, horticulture, or related field preferred
• Certificates in all other farming activities, e.g. irrigation, scouting, plant production.
• 3 years similar experience, ideally within a commercial farm setting. Preference will be given to those with experience farming Blueberries.
• Experience in crop production activities, from land development to harvesting and farm maintenance.

Functional / Technical

• Technical understanding of fruit production functions
• Good agricultural practices and crop production.
• Basic financial management.
• Basic human resources legislation, especially those relevant to everyday operations (e.g. absen-teeism, leave, health and safety, working hours).
• Excellent communication skills; verbal and written.
• Excellent planning and organisational skills.
• Strong leadership skills.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Strong people-management skills, relationship building and interpersonal relations.
• Ability to work under pressure.
• Detail and results orientated.

Requirements

Experience farming blueberries preferred, Knowledge of horticultural practices and good agricultural practices, Strong understanding of crop production techniques, irrigation, pest and disease management Experience in fertilization, pruning, and harvesting operations Familiarity with farm compliance standards (e.g., Global G.A.P., SIZA) Basic financial acumen related to farm budgeting and cost management Computer literacy (MS Office : Excel, Word, PowerPoint)