Production Manager

Helderberg Personnel; Porterville; On-site; ZAR 300,000 - 500,000; Full time

Job summary

Helderberg Personnel is looking for a skilled Farm Production Manager in Porterville, South Africa. The candidate will manage the overall business strategy and operational activities of the farm, ensuring effective crop production and agricultural practices.

Key responsibilities include directing planting and harvesting operations, managing budgets, and ensuring compliance with industry regulations. The ideal candidate will possess a relevant degree and at least 5 years of farm production experience.

Qualifications

• Minimum 5 years’ relevant farm production experience.
• Experience in crop production activities from land development to harvesting.
• Familiarity with basic human resources legislation and safety.

Responsibilities

• Contribute to and implement overall business strategic planning.
• Direct and coordinate section worker activities like planting and harvesting.
• Monitor compliance with industry regulations and quality standards.

Skills

Horticultural Practices

Technical understanding of fruit production functions

Computer literacy: MS Office

Good agricultural practices and crop production

Basic financial management

Education

Relevant tertiary degree

Certificates in farming activities (e.g. irrigation)

Job description

Requirements

• A Relevant tertiary degree
• Certificates in all other farming activities, e.g., irrigation, scouting, plant production
• Minimum 5 years’ relevant farm production experience
• Crop production activities, from land development to harvesting and farm maintenance

Skills and Competencies Required

• Horticultural Practices
• Technical understanding of fruit production functions
• Computer literacy: MS Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint)
• Good agricultural practices and crop production
• Basic financial management
• Basic human resources legislation, especially those relevant to everyday operation (e.g. absenteeism, leave, health and safety, working hours)

Duties

Business management

• Contribute to and implement the overall business strategic planning; develop and set plans to operationalise the company overall business strategy
• Organise, plan and prioritise work by developing specific goals and objectives to be accomplished for each section
• Ensure the operational business risks in each section are identified early and mitigated

Production management

• Direct, coordinate and assist section worker activities, such as planting, fertigation, chemical application, harvesting and record keeping
• Implement operating methods and procedures according to standards
• Conduct soil/leaf analysis for fertigation and pest/disease management
• Inspect production areas to determine maturity dates, considering block targets as identified in the strategic plan.
• Ensure the maintenance of the production areas
• Coordinate growing activities with those of engineering, equipment maintenance, technical teams and other related departments

Administration and Finance

• Participate in the preparation and control of annual production budgets
• Schedule senior team leaders for daily activities
• Record information and keep records of all documents
• Monitor progress against budget and ensure any trends or variances are reported to the Estate Manager

Human Resources Management

• Assist newly employed employees with induction and integration into the team
• Monitor and enforce employee adherence to safety regulations, policies and procedures
• Ensure an adequate workforce for the efficient and effective operation of the farm
• Set performance standards in collaboration with employees and monitor performance
• Ensure employee development and capacity
• Direct, guide, coach, mentor and motivate employees. policies, legislation, procedures and practices

Asset management

• Communicate with the estate manager on required purchases for machinery, equipment and supplies
• Inspect equipment to ensure proper functioning
• Ensure routine maintenance and proper handling of equipment

Compliance

• Ensure compliance and adherence to the industry regulations, e.g., SIZA, Global G.A.P
• Ensure quality assurance as per the Quality Standards
• Ensure and enforce compliance to the company’s policies, procedures and practices