Production Officer - Seed Processing, Reitz

VKB Agriculture; Reitz; Vor Ort; ZAR 320.000 - 460.000; Vollzeit

Zusammenfassung

VKB Group seeks a Production Officer for the Seed Processing Plant in Reitz to coordinate seed production from planning through processing, packaging and delivery. You will ensure quality, traceability and regulatory compliance while engaging with seed producers and customers.

Ideal candidates will have seed production experience, strong planning skills and lead by example to drive continuous improvement in a fast-paced agricultural processing environment.

Qualifikationen

• Diploma or degree in relevant agricultural field.
• Registered Field Inspector with SANSOR or willingness to obtain.
• Certified SANSOR Sampler or willingness to obtain certification.
• Seed Analyst/Grain Grader qualification advantageous.
• Valid driver’s license and fumigation knowledge.

Aufgaben

• Coordinate seed production planning and monitor against schedules.
• Manage seed processing, packaging, storage, and sieving operations.
• Ensure compliance with VKB policies, SANSOR and ISTA standards.
• Oversee inventory accuracy and product traceability.
• Coordinate sampling, testing, grading, and certification activities.
• Maintain supplier and customer relationships regarding production needs.
• Monitor fleet usage and labor efficiency per company policies.
• Train and coach plant employees; support succession planning.

Kenntnisse

Seed certification

Production planning

Inventory control

Data analysis

Advanced Excel

SANSOR system

Stakeholder engagement

Communication

Afrikaans fluency

English fluency

Coaching

Ausbildung

Diploma in Plant Production

Degree in Agriculture

SANSOR Inspector cert

SANSOR Sampler cert

Seed Analyst/Grain grader (adv.)

Valid driver’s license

Fumigation training

Tools

Seed conditioner knowledge

Seed sieves knowledge

ISTA/Regulatory familiarity

Jobbeschreibung

Production Officer: Seed Processing Plant (Reitz)

Introduction to the VKB Group

The VKB Group is an agricultural company providing support to farmers and producing straight-from-the-farm foods for consumers. Apart from its various consumer brands, the VKB Group is also represented by its regional brands: VKB, GWK and NTK.

Our roots are firmly planted in agriculture, with farming at our core, continuously growing and evolving throughout the years. Starting with providing everything needed on the farm to produce food, we now operate across the entire food supply chain, including processing, logistics, storage, handling and national and international market channels.

This "house of brands", established with the support of our farmer shareholders, forms the foundation for building the agribusiness of the future.

More About VKB Grain Services: Seed Processing Plant

The VKB Seed Processing Plant in Reitz plays a critical role in delivering high-quality, certified seed to producers across South Africa. Our operation combines technical expertise, quality assurance, production planning, and customer service to ensure that every bag of seed meets the highest industry standards.

Working closely with seed producers, farmers, regulatory bodies, and internal stakeholders, the Seed Processing Plant forms an essential link in the agricultural value chain by ensuring that quality seed products reach the market efficiently, compliantly, and on time.

Why This Role Matters

The Production Officer is responsible for coordinating and controlling seed production activities from planning through to processing, certification, packaging, inventory management, and customer delivery.

This role is ideal for an agricultural professional who is passionate about seed production, plant operations, quality assurance, and working closely with producers. Your contribution will directly impact agricultural productivity by ensuring that certified seed products meet customer expectations, SANSOR requirements, and international quality standards.

Why Join VKB?

At VKB, you become part of an organisation that is deeply rooted in agriculture and committed to developing both people and communities.

We offer:

• The opportunity to contribute to South African agriculture and food security.
• Exposure to a highly specialised seed production environment.
• Continuous learning and professional growth opportunities.
• A culture driven by humility, innovation, teamwork, accountability, and excellence.
• The opportunity to build lasting relationships with producers, customers, and industry stakeholders.
• Meaningful work in the heart of the Free State agricultural region.

What Success Looks Like

The successful candidate will:

• Ensure seed processing activities are completed according to approved production plans and schedules.
• Maintain compliance with SANSOR, ISTA, and VKB quality standards.
• Deliver accurate inventory control and product traceability.
• Build trusted relationships with seed producers and customers.
• Achieve production targets while maintaining exceptional product quality.
• Ensure operational efficiency, cost control, and effective workforce management.
• Develop and support employees through coaching, training, and leadership.
• Maintain a safe, compliant, and organised processing environment.

Who Are We Looking For? (Ideal Candidate Profile)

We are looking for a technically strong agricultural professional who combines operational excellence with strong interpersonal and leadership capabilities.

The ideal candidate:

• Has a passion for seed production and quality assurance.
• Enjoys working in a fast-paced production environment.
• Understands agricultural production systems and seed certification processes.
• Can effectively engage with farmers, producers, and customers.
• Is highly organised and detail oriented.
• Takes ownership of outcomes and drives continuous improvement.
• Leads by example and develops others.
• Is comfortable balancing technical, administrative, and commercial responsibilities.

Minimum Requirements

Qualifications

• Diploma or Degree in Plant Production, Agronomy, Botany, Agriculture, or a related field.
• Registered Field Inspector with SANSOR – or willing to obtain certification.
• Certified SANSOR Sampler – or willing to obtain certification.
• Qualified Seed Analyst and Grain Grader will be advantageous
• Valid driver's licence.
• Fumigation

Essential Experience

• 3 to 5 years' experience within a seed production, seed processing, or seed certification environment.
• Practical knowledge of seed processing, packaging, handling, storage, certification, and production processes.
• Experience working with SANSOR systems and regulatory requirements.
• Experience in inventory management and production planning.
• Exposure to customer engagement, sales, or agricultural marketing environments.
• Experience supervising or leading operational teams within an agricultural processing environment.
• Advanced Microsoft Excel proficiency.

Competencies

• Planning and organising
• Problem-solving and analytical thinking
• Leadership and people management
• Attention to detail
• Decision-making
• Accountability and ownership
• Customer focus
• Relationship building
• Quality orientation
• Adaptability and resilience
• Continuous improvement mindset
• Effective communication

Skills Required

• Seed certification and quality assurance knowledge
• Production planning and scheduling
• Inventory and stock control
• Data analysis and reporting
• Advanced Microsoft Excel
• SANSOR system proficiency
• Knowledge of seed conditioner and seed sieves
• Agricultural product knowledge
• Negotiation and stakeholder engagement
• Verbal and written communication skills
• Fluent Afrikaans and English communication skills
• Ability to interpret regulations and compliance requirements
• Coaching and mentoring ability

Key Responsibilities

• Coordinate production planning activities and monitor progress against approved schedules.
• Manage and control seed processing operations, including sieving, treatment, packaging, and storage.
• Ensure full compliance with VKB policies, SANSOR requirements, and ISTA regulations.
• Manage inventory, product traceability, and stock accuracy.
• Coordinate seed sampling, testing, grading, and certification activities.
• Liaise regularly with seed producers regarding production, deliveries, and quality requirements.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with customers and key stakeholders.
• Monitor fleet utilisation and report deviations in accordance with VKB Fleet Management policies.
• Manage overtime, workforce planning, and labour efficiency in line with company policies.
• Support HR-related activities within the plant environment.
• Ensure compliance with health, safety, risk, and operational standards.
• Analyse production data and prepare operational reports.
• Identify opportunities to improve production efficiency and product quality.
• Stay informed on industry developments, technologies, and best practices in seed processing.
• Train, mentor, and coach plant employees to support succession planning and capability development.
• Support sales and seed distribution activities when required.

VKB Group reserves the right to close or withdraw any vacancy at its discretion. All personal information submitted through the Career Portal will be used solely for recruitment purposes and, where applicable, for matters related to employment.

As an equal opportunity employer, VKB Group is committed to Employment Equity, transformation, and the inclusion of People with Disabilities. Our recruitment decisions are aligned with the VKB Group Employment Equity Plan and Transformation Strategy.

A Note on Honesty and Integrity

As part of the application process, you will be required to complete a screening questionnaire. We strongly encourage all candidates to answer every question honestly and accurately.

At VKB Group, our culture is rooted in the values of being Humble, Hungry, Smart, Bold, and Playing as One Team. We believe in building authentic relationships and making sound decisions based on trust and integrity. Misrepresenting qualifications, experience, competencies, criminal history, or any other information may result in your application being withdrawn or your employment being terminated should discrepancies be identified during verification processes.

We respect your time and ask that you respect ours by providing truthful information throughout the recruitment process. This helps ensure that we focus on candidates who are genuinely aligned with the requirements of the role and the values of our organisation.