Production Manager - Fertigation & Crop Protection

United Exports; Modimolle; On-site; ZAR 600,000 - 900,000; Full time

Job summary

Waterberg Berries is seeking an experienced Fertigation & Crop Protection Manager to lead our Production team on a farming operation in South Africa. The role focuses on planning and executing fertigation, irrigation, and crop protection programmes to maximise yield and fruit quality while ensuring regulatory and export compliance.

You will work with Production, Agronomy and Compliance teams to deliver best-practice nutrient management, pest and disease control, and accurate record keeping.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in horticulture or related field preferred.
• Minimum 3 years' experience in fertigation, irrigation and/or crop protection in a commercial farm.
• Experience with nutrient management and record keeping.
• Familiarity with IPM and regulatory/compliance standards.

Responsibilities

• Plan and implement fertigation programmes across the farm.
• Monitor irrigation scheduling and soil moisture to optimise water and nutrient delivery.
• Maintain accurate fertigation records, dosing schedules and mixing programmes.
• Conduct regular field inspections and adjust programmes as required.
• Oversee irrigation systems maintenance and operation.
• Develop and implement crop protection programmes including chemical/biological controls.
• Ensure compliance with export standards and MRL requirements.
• Maintain KPI, quality and compliance data and report to management.
• Lead and train fertigation, irrigation and crop protection teams.

Skills

Fertigation management

Irrigation management

Crop protection

IPM

GlobalG.A.P.

SIZA compliance

Record keeping

Data analysis

Team training

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Horticulture, Agronomy, Soil Science, or related agricultural field

Tools

Farm management systems

Microsoft Office

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

• 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.
  
• 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.
  

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.

Requirements

• Excellent planning and organisational skills.
• Attention to detail and commitment to accuracy.
• Strong communication skills (verbal and written) with ability to train others.
• Ability to work independently and within a cross-functional team.
• Proactive, solutions-driven mindset with focus on continuous improvement.
• Management of fertigation, irrigation and crop protection staff