Production Manager - Fertigation & Crop Protection

United Exports; Lephalale; On-site; ZAR 600,000 - 850,000; Full time

Job summary

Waterberg Berries is seeking an experienced Fertigation & Crop Protection Manager to lead fertigation, irrigation, and crop protection activities on the farm.

You will work with Production, Agronomy and Compliance teams to optimise nutrient delivery, manage water use and ensure export-standard crop protection practices.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in horticulture, agronomy, soil science or related field is preferred.
• Minimum of 3 years’ experience in fertigation, irrigation and/or crop protection in commercial agriculture.
• Knowledge of plant nutrition and fertigation systems.
• Experience with irrigation scheduling and soil-water dynamics.
• Familiarity with IPM practices and compliance standards.
• Proficiency with farm management systems and record-keeping.

Responsibilities

• Plan and implement fertigation and irrigation programmes across the farm.
• Monitor irrigation scheduling and soil moisture data to optimise water and nutrient delivery.
• Maintain accurate fertigation records, dosing schedules, and mixing programmes.
• Develop and execute crop protection programmes and monitor pests and diseases.
• Ensure compliance with spray programmes, MRLs and export standards.
• Lead training for operators and promote IPM and sustainable farming practices.

Skills

Fertigation expertise

Irrigation management

Plant nutrition

IPM (Integrated Pest Management)

Data analysis & reporting

Team leadership

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Horticulture or related field

Tools

Microsoft Office

Farm management software

Job description

Waterberg Berries is seeking an experienced and driven Fertigation & Crop Protection Manager to join our Production team. This is an exciting opportunity for an agricultural professional passionate about plant nutrition, irrigation management, crop protection, and sustainable farming practices. Reporting to the Farm General Manager, you will play a critical role in optimising crop performance, maximising fruit quality and yield, and ensuring compliance with industry-leading standards.

About the Role

The Fertigation & Crop Protection Manager is responsible for planning, implementing, and monitoring fertigation, irrigation, and crop protection programmes across the farm. Working closely with Production, Agronomy, and Compliance teams, you will ensure best-practice nutrient management, effective pest and disease control, accurate record keeping, and adherence to regulatory and export requirements.

Key Performance Outputs

Fertigation & Irrigation Management

• Plan and implement seasonal fertigation programmes.
• Monitor irrigation scheduling and soil moisture data to optimise water and nutrient delivery.
• Maintain accurate fertigation records, mixing programmes, and dosing schedules.
• Conduct regular field inspections and recommend programme adjustments where required.
• Oversee the effective functioning and maintenance of irrigation systems.

Crop Protection

• Develop and implement crop protection programmes, including chemical and biological control strategies.
• Monitor pest and disease pressure through scouting, trap monitoring, and field inspections.
• Ensure compliance with spray programmes, MRL requirements, and export standards.
• Maintain accurate records of all crop protection activities.
• Manage the safe storage, handling, and disposal of agrochemicals.

Compliance & Reporting

• Ensure compliance with GlobalG.A.P., SIZA, and other relevant industry standards.
• Support internal and external audits.
• Analyse water usage, nutrient applications, and pest and disease trends.
• Prepare and present regular reports and recommendations to management.
• Maintain relevant KPI, quality, and compliance data.

Team Leadership & Training

• Lead and develop fertigation, irrigation, and crop protection teams.
• Train operators and production staff on best practices and safe chemical handling.
• Promote Integrated Pest Management (IPM), sustainable agriculture, and precision farming techniques.
• Support the implementation of new technologies and continuous improvement initiatives.

Minimum Requirements

• Bachelor's Degree in Horticulture, Agronomy, Soil Science, or a related agricultural field (preferred).
• Minimum of 3 years' experience in fertigation, irrigation, and/or crop protection within a commercial agricultural environment.
• Plant nutrition and fertigation systems.
• Irrigation scheduling and soil-water dynamics.
• Pest and disease identification.
• Integrated Pest Management (IPM).
• Experience with GlobalG.A.P., SIZA, or similar compliance standards.
• Strong analytical, reporting, and record-keeping skills.
• Computer literacy, including Microsoft Office and farm management systems.

What We're Looking For

You are: Comfortable working independently and within a multidisciplinary team.A strong communicator who can effectively train and influence others.Passionate about sustainable farming and delivering high-quality production outcomes.