PRODUCTION / OPERATIONAL MANAGER – CITRUS

Farm Manager SA; South Africa; On-site; ZAR 720,000 - 1,100,000; Full time

Job summary

Farm Manager SA is seeking an experienced Citrus Production Manager to lead a large-scale estate in Southern Africa. You will champion long-term production strategy, drive expansion plans, and ensure export readiness.

You bring 10-15 years in citrus, senior leadership, and a data-driven mindset to optimize irrigation, harvests, and budgets while developing high-performing teams.

Qualifications

• Degree or diploma in Agriculture, Horticulture, Agronomy, or related discipline.
• 10-15 years in commercial citrus production, incl. 5-8 years in a senior production or operational leadership role.
• Proven track record managing large-scale citrus operations (500ha+) and leading multiple Production Managers.
• Deep expertise in irrigation, fertigation, crop forecasting, harvesting programmes, and export production systems.
• Experience within Southern Africa farming environments is advantageous.
• A confident, credible leader who develops high-performing teams.
• Strategic and operational in equal measure, with strong planning and organisational discipline.
• Calm, decisive, and accountable under the pressures of peak season.
• A clear communicator and reporter with a data-led, improvement-focused mindset.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute the long-term citrus production strategy.
• Lead varietal, rootstock, orchard replacement, and expansion planning.
• Align production plans with the company's growth and commercial objectives.
• Direct orchard production and overall yield performance across the estate.
• Oversee irrigation and fertigation strategy, scheduling, and efficiency.
• Lead crop protection and integrated pest management programmes.
• Manage labour, resources, and operational infrastructure.
• Ensure compliance with food-safety standards and full export readiness.
• Lead, develop, and hold accountable a team of Production Managers.
• Embed data-driven decision-making and a culture of continuous improvement.
• Propose and manage capex projects to elevate ROI.
• Prepare and manage production budgets.
• Drive monthly crop forecasting, harvest planning, and seasonal production execution.
• Control operational costs and identify cost-saving opportunities.

Skills

Leadership

Strategic planning

Data-driven decision making

Communication

People management

Education

Degree or diploma in Agriculture/Horticulture/Agronomy or related

Job description

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

• A degree or diploma in Agriculture, Horticulture, Agronomy, Citrus Production, Agricultural Management, or a related discipline


• Additional qualifications in citrus production, irrigation, food safety, or management are advantageous


• 10-15 years in commercial citrus production, including 5-8 years in a senior production or operational leadership role


• A proven track record managing large-scale citrus operations(500ha+) and leading multiple Production Managers


• Deep expertise in irrigation, fertigation, crop forecasting, harvesting programmes, and export production systems


• Experience within Southern Africa farming environments is advantageous


• A confident, credible leader who develops high-performing teams


• Strategic and operational in equal measure, with strong planning and organisational discipline


• Calm, decisive, and accountable under the pressures of peak season


• A clear communicator and reporter with a data-led, improvement-focused mindset

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES INCLUDE BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO

• Develop and execute the long-term citrus production strategy.


• Lead varietal, rootstock, orchard replacement, and expansion planning.


• Align production plans with the company's growth and commercial objectives.


• Direct orchard production and overall yield performance across the estate


• Oversee irrigation and fertigation strategy, scheduling, and efficiency


• Lead crop protection and integrated pest management programmes


• Manage labour, resources, and operational infrastructure


• Ensure compliance with food-safety standards and full export readiness


• Lead, develop, and hold accountable a team of Production Managers


• Embed data-driven decision-making and a culture of continuous improvement


• Propose and manage capex projects to elevate ROI


• Prepare and manage production budgets.


• Drive monthly crop forecasting, harvest planning, and seasonal production execution


• Control operational costs and identify cost-saving opportunities.