Programme Manager - Agroprocessing Upscaling Enterprise and Acceleration

Council for Scientific and Industrial Research; Pretoria; Hybrid; ZAR 800 000 - 1 200 000; Full time

Job summary

A leading research organization is seeking a Programme Manager for Agroprocessing Enterprise Upscaling and Acceleration based in Pretoria, Gauteng. The role involves managing multiple projects, stakeholder engagement, and ensuring financial sustainability. Ideal candidates will have an Honours degree and over ten years of program management experience in R&D environments. The position offers a flexible hybrid work arrangement, competitive remuneration, and opportunities for professional development.

Benefits

Flexible hybrid work arrangement

Learning and development opportunities

Competitive remuneration packages

Total guaranteed salary packages with benefits

Qualifications

• 10+ years of program management experience in a multi-disciplinary R&D environment.
• Certifications as a Project Management Professional is an added advantage.
• Knowledge of incremental, spiral, or evolutionary development approaches.

Responsibilities

• Manage a portfolio of projects in Agroprocessing Enterprise Upscaling.
• Lead program planning, scheduling, and monitor progress.
• Coordinate stakeholders and manage conflicting requirements.

Skills

Project management

Stakeholder management

Financial acumen

Analytical Skills

Interpersonal Skills

Risk management

Leadership

Education

Honours degree in Agriculture/Biology/Chemistry

Job description

Job Location and Application Deadline

Job Location: Pretoria, Gauteng, South Africa

Application Deadline: February 15, 2026

About the job

• The CSIR has a vacancy for a Programme Manager: Agroprocessing Enterprise Upscaling and Acceleration in the Advanced Agri and Food Cluster. The incumbent will be responsible for managing a portfolio of projects on Agroprocessing Enterprise Upscaling and Acceleration across the Agroprocessing Research Group within the Advanced Agri and Food Cluster. Coordinate operations of end-to-end cannabis research facility and the transition from research and innovation to market-ready products. This position is based in Pretoria. This position reports to the Research Group Leader.

Key responsibilities

Program Office Management

• To conceptualize, implement and operate infrastructure and systems for the management of program and related projects within the broad context of existing Advanced Agri and Food Cluster systems.

Program Management

• To lead and manage the definition of project phases (life-cycle phases and related systems).
• To lead and co-ordinate the preparation of proposals for multi-year, multi-disciplinary contract product and process development programs and projects.
• To ensure, in conjunction with the program/lead systems engineer, that the programs deliver what was contracted and individual funder objectives are met.
• Ensures that the program is given the appropriate priority and attention by all the impact areas, research groups and external teams participating.
• Lead program planning and scheduling, monitors progress and takes corrective action.

Stakeholder Management

• To leverage the multidisciplinary strength of CSIR and its partners for increased stakeholders/user impact and benefit.
• Support the marketing of the program to stakeholders and customers.
• Manage funders and other stakeholders in terms of contracts, deliverables, and non-tangible expectations.
• Coordinate conflicting requirements of stakeholders and various funding streams to deliver a capability over the short and medium term.
• Coordinate the funders to align technical activities, and milestones across the program so that the overall program makes sense.
• Manage relationships with stakeholder and funding groups with potentially conflicting requirements, objectives and expectations.

Securing Financial Sustainability through operational excellence

• Responsible for program budgets, schedule, and performance (technical performance accountability shared with the Research Group Leader).
• Support the development of funding streams for the Program that may be too large for the budgets of a single customer/stakeholder.

Qualifications, skills and experience

• An Honours degree in Agriculture/Biology/Chemistry/Applied Chemistry and related disciplines, with at least ten years¿ program management experience in a multi-disciplinary R&D environment, certifications as a Project Management Professional will be an added advantage.
• Strong project management, contract management and stakeholder management skills required.
• Proven leadership track record.
• Knowledge of Projects based on R&D approaches such as incremental, spiral, or evolutionary development.
• Risk management.
• Analytical Skills.
• Interpersonal Skills.
• Influencing and negotiating skills.
• Tenacious, energetic approach to matters.
• Learning and personal development orientation.
• Financial acumen
• All international qualifications require an evaluation report / certificate issued by the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA).

What¿s in it for you?

The CSIR offers:

• Flexible hybrid work arrangement;
• Learning and development opportunities.
• Competitive and market-related remuneration packages.
• Total guaranteed salary packages which encompass contributions to the pension fund, risk insurance and medical scheme.
• We openly acknowledge and reward our employees' contributions and accomplishments through our esteemed CSIR Excellence Awards.

Closing date: 22 January 2026