Managing Director : Agriculture

Agritalent; Noord-Kaap; On-site; ZAR 1 200 000 - 1 800 000; Full time

Job summary

A leading agribusiness in South Africa is seeking a results-driven Managing Director to lead its pecan nut subsidiary. The ideal candidate will have over 10 years of senior leadership experience in agriculture or food production, with a strong background in operational efficiencies and financial management. Responsibilities include guiding producer relationships, optimizing processes, and aligning the business with industry trends. This role offers significant opportunities for strategic impact and leadership development.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 10 years in a senior leadership role, preferably in the agricultural or food production sector.
• Proven track record of optimizing operational processes and leading high-performance teams.
• Strong understanding of international agricultural and forex markets and hedging mechanisms.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the primary contact for producers, providing guidance on exchange rate hedging.
• Monitor and optimize all revenues, margins, and costs against approved budgets.
• Oversee internal processes and ensure optimal functioning of all departments.
• Align staff with company goals and foster a high-performance work environment.
• Develop proactive actions to manage industry trends and market dynamics.

Skills

Strategic Vision

Operational Excellence

People Management

Market Knowledge

Education

Relevant tertiary qualification in Agriculture or Business Management

Job description

Introduction

An Agritalent client, a leading agribusiness, seeks a Managing Director for its nut subsidiary.The successful candidate shall be a a visionary, results-driven leader to take the helm of the pecan nut business.

The ideal candidate will possess a deep understanding of agricultural markets, operational efficiencies, financial management, and people management.

This individual will guide the company to greater heights by fostering strong producer relationships, optimizing processes, and aligning the business with future industry trends.

Duties & Responsibilities

Producer Relations and Financial Oversight Serve as the primary contact for producers, providing guidance on exchange rate hedging and administrative processes, communicate pricing policies and market trends to producers. Ensure annual financial goals, including budgets and market share targets (producers and consumers), are established and approved by the Board. Monitor and optimize all revenues, margins, and costs against approved budgets or projections, identifying areas requiring corrective action. Distinguish between factors within and outside the company's control, implementing corrective measures as needed.

Operational and Process Management Oversee and ensure optimal functioning of all internal processes and departments, including product processing, procurement, and marketing. Identify and address underperforming areas, optimizing processes for efficiency and quality. Ensure departmental collaboration to meet production and market demands.

Leadership and Team Development Develop an agile organizational structure and align staff with company goals and strategies. Foster a positive, collaborative, and high-performance work environment.

Strategic Alignment Align the company with three- and five-year trends in the global pecan industry and market dynamics through scenario modelling. Develop and implement proactive actions to manage these scenarios and their expected outcomes effectively. Evaluate the company's capacity and geographic footprint relative to the industry and expected production growth to ensure optimal operations. Strengthen technological infrastructure and human resources to meet evolving market challenges. Build trust with stakeholders by increasing market share among producers and buyers annually, securing shareholder returns and confidence.

Desired Experience & Qualification

Education : Relevant tertiary qualification in Agriculture, Business Management, or a related field (postgraduate qualifications preferred).

Experience : Minimum of 10 years in a senior leadership role, preferably in the agricultural or food production sector. Proven track record of optimizing operational processes and leading high-performance teams.

Technical and soft skills : Strong understanding of international agricultural and forex markets and hedging mechanisms. Experience in process optimization and technological integration within a production environment. Exceptional leadership and interpersonal skills. Strong problem-solving abilities with a strategic mindset. Excellent communication skills to engage effectively with internal teams, producers, and stakeholders.

Skills and Attributes Strategic Vision : Ability to align the company with long-term industry trends and market opportunities. Operational Excellence : Expertise in driving efficiency and process improvements across departments. People Management : Proven capability to lead, inspire, and develop diverse teams. Market Knowledge : Deep understanding of the pecan nut industry and associated market dynamics.