Remote Hydroponics Farm Manager

Placements24; Midrand; Hybrid; ZAR 600,000 - 720,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Company laptop

Mobile phone

Home office stipend

Performance bonuses

Professional development

Job summary

Placements24 is assisting a client—a pioneering urban agriculture startup—in recruiting a Remote Hydroponics Farm Manager to oversee CEA operations. This fully remote role requires overseeing hydroponic production from a distance, optimizing grow cycles, managing nutrients, and guiding on-site technicians across multiple locations near Midrand, Gauteng.

The ideal candidate has 5+ years in hydroponics/CEA, strong IPM and plant physiology knowledge, and proven remote leadership abilities.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Horticulture, Agronomy, Plant Science, or related field required.
• Master's degree preferred for advanced management responsibilities.
• Minimum 5 years' hands-on hydroponics or CEA experience.
• Proven remote operations and team management ability.

Responsibilities

• Remotely manage and optimize hydroponic growing systems for high‑value crops.
• Monitor environmental parameters using advanced control systems.
• Formulate and monitor nutrient solutions for optimal growth.
• Oversee pest and disease management with sustainable methods.
• Supervise on-site technicians with clear instructions and feedback.
• Enforce hygiene and sanitation protocols to prevent contamination.
• Analyze production data to identify trends and improve yields.
• Coordinate with logistics and sales for timely harvest and delivery.
• Stay updated on hydroponics, CEA, and vertical farming advances.

Skills

Remote management

Plant physiology

Nutrient management

IPM

Leadership

Education

Bachelor's degree in Horticulture/Agronomy/Plant Science or related field

Master's degree preferred

Tools

Environmental control systems

Sensors

Data logging software

Job description

About the Role

Our client, an innovative urban agriculture startup with a growing presence, is seeking a highly motivated and experienced Remote Hydroponics Farm Manager to oversee their controlled environment agriculture (CEA) operations. This is a fully remote position, offering flexibility while requiring a dedicated individual to manage all aspects of hydroponic farm production from a distance. You will be responsible for optimizing grow cycles, managing nutrient solutions, ensuring plant health, and supervising on-site technicians at various locations. The ideal candidate has a proven track record in hydroponics, a strong understanding of CEA technologies, and exceptional remote management capabilities, supporting our farms situated near Midrand, Gauteng.

Key Responsibilities

• Remotely manage and optimize hydroponic growing systems for various high-value crops.
• Monitor and control environmental parameters (temperature, humidity, CO2, light) using advanced control systems.
• Manage nutrient solution formulation, delivery, and monitoring to ensure optimal plant growth.
• Oversee pest and disease management using biological and sustainable methods within a CEA environment.
• Supervise, train, and guide on-site farm technicians, providing clear instructions and performance feedback.
• Implement and enforce strict hygiene and sanitation protocols to prevent contamination.
• Analyze production data to identify trends, troubleshoot issues, and improve yields and quality.
• Coordinate with logistics and sales teams to ensure timely harvesting and delivery of produce.
• Stay updated on the latest advancements in hydroponics, CEA, and vertical farming.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Horticulture, Agronomy, Plant Science, or a related field; Master's degree preferred.
• Minimum of 5 years of hands-on experience managing hydroponic or other CEA systems.
• Proven ability to manage operations and teams remotely, utilizing technology effectively.
• Strong knowledge of plant physiology, nutrient management, and IPM in controlled environments.
• Proficiency with environmental control systems, sensors, and data logging software.
• Excellent organizational, communication, and leadership skills.
• Ability to troubleshoot complex technical and biological issues in a CEA setting.
• Must be self-motivated, disciplined, and able to work autonomously from Midrand, Gauteng, or any suitable remote location.
• Familiarity with vertical farming and stacking technologies is a plus.

Benefits

• Competitive remote salary package.
• Performance-based bonuses tied to yield, quality, and efficiency improvements.
• Company-provided laptop, mobile phone, and potential home office stipend.
• Opportunities for professional growth and development in the rapidly expanding CEA sector.
• Contribution to a sustainable and innovative food production model.
• Flexible work arrangements inherent to a remote position.
• Access to leading-edge hydroponic technologies and research.