Lead Engineer

Westfalia Fruit; Tzaneen; On-site; ZAR 600,000 - 900,000; Full time

Job summary

Westfalia Fruit, a leading supplier of fresh produce, seeks a Lead Engineer to oversee agricultural projects in Tzaneen. The role includes managing project timelines, budgets, personnel, and ensuring compliance with health and safety standards. Ideal candidates will have significant experience in project management within the agricultural sector and be strong team players adept at analytical problem-solving.

Benefits

Total Guaranteed Remuneration Package

Provident fund

Insured benefits

Structured annual bonus

Qualifications

• BSc-Eng/B-Eng in Engineering required.
• 4-5 years Project Management experience essential.
• Experience as GMR2.1 or 16.2 Health and Safety appointee.

Responsibilities

• Manage technical aspects of agricultural projects from start to finish.
• Develop project objectives, specifications, and plans.
• Financial management and reporting on project status.

Skills

Integrity

Analytical problem-solving

Communication

Project Management

Computer literacy

Business acumen

Education

BSc-Eng/B-Eng Agricultural/Civil or Mechanical Engineering

Professional Engineering

Post Graduate project management

Tools

ERP System

MS Office (Excel/PowerPoint)

Job description

Westfalia Fruit, a leading multinational supplier of fresh fruit and related value-added products to global 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 the leading #avoexperts 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 a vacancy for a suitably qualified and experienced: Lead Engineer

Requirements

Purpose of the role:

Manage all technical aspects of agricultural projects from initiation through to completion. This includes the management of personnel, systems, timelines, and budgets to ensure projects are delivered on schedule, within financial constraints, and to the required quality standards. The role also encompasses leadership and supervision of subordinate engineers involved in design and project execution within the agricultural sector.

Key Responsibilities:

• Develop project objectives, specifications, timelines and plans
• Oversee the design and development of the project
• Financial Management
• Report on project status, including progress updates, risk assessments, and financial tracking
• Prepare and deliver regular updates on project performance, highlighting key risks, financials, and milestones
• Ensure the Health and Safety of our colleagues and Contractors.
• Identify and manage risks associated with the project
• Manage and give input to subordinate engineers as well as external contractors and engineers
• Ensure compliance to all legal requirements.
  
  
  

Education:

• BSc-Eng/B-Eng Agricultural/Civil or Mechanical Engineer
• Professional Engineering will be an added advantage
• Post Graduate project management will be an added advantage
  
  
  

Experience:

• Minimum of 4-5 years' experience in Project Management
• 5 and more years in a similar environment
• Minimum of 5 years' experience as a GMR2.1 or 16.2. Health and Safety appointee.
• 3-5 years' experience as Resident Engineer is essential.
• Strong computer literacy - ERP System, MS Office (Excel/PowerPoint)
  
  
  

Behavioural Competencies:

• Integrity, passion for work, excellence and success
• Excellent communicator with attention to detail
• Business acumen with analytical problem-solving ability
• Results driven team player
• Ability to work under pressure
• Self-starter and with the ability to work independently and as part of a team
• Possess versatility and adaptability necessary to flourish in a fast-paced multi-national
  
  
  

Benefits

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 02 June 2025

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