Remote Sustainable Farming Operations Manager

Placements24; Pietermaritzburg; Hybrid; ZAR 900,000 - 1,500,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual bonus

Medical aid

Retirement fund

Professional development

Flexible hours

Fully remote

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Remote Sustainable Farming Operations Manager to oversee and optimize agricultural projects from a remote-first environment across South Africa.

You will lead a distributed team of farm supervisors and agronomists, drive efficiency, monitor KPIs, and implement sustainable practices while reporting to senior management.

This role demands deep knowledge of crop science, water stewardship, IPM, and a proactive approach to problem solving in a fully remote setting.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Agriculture, Agronomy, Environmental Science, or related field.
• Master's degree is a plus.
• 7+ years of progressive experience in agricultural operations management.
• Proven remote team leadership and strong communication skills.
• Proficiency in farm management software, data analysis tools, and remote sensing technologies.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement operational plans for sustainable agricultural projects.
• Oversee day-to-day farming activities with remote monitoring tools.
• Lead a distributed team of farm supervisors and agronomists.
• Monitor KPIs related to yield, water use, costs, and environmental impact.

Skills

Remote team leadership

Data analytics

Farm management software

Crop science knowledge

IPM knowledge

Budget management

Education

Bachelor's degree in Agriculture, Agronomy, Environmental Science, or related field

Master's degree

Tools

GIS software

Remote sensing tech

Data visualization tools

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a forward-thinking agricultural technology firm, is seeking an experienced and highly motivated Remote Sustainable Farming Operations Manager to join their dynamic team. This role is pivotal in overseeing and optimizing diverse farming operations across various regions, all managed from a remote-first environment. The ideal candidate will possess a deep understanding of modern agricultural practices, a passion for sustainability, and exceptional remote management capabilities. You will be instrumental in driving efficiency, improving crop yields, and ensuring the environmental stewardship of our agricultural projects, contributing significantly to the company's mission of innovative and responsible farming. This position offers the flexibility to work from anywhere within South Africa, fostering a work-life balance while maintaining peak operational performance.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and implement comprehensive operational plans for sustainable agricultural projects, ensuring alignment with company objectives and environmental regulations.
• Oversee day-to-day farming activities, including crop planning, planting, irrigation, pest management, and harvesting, utilizing remote monitoring tools and data analytics.
• Manage a distributed team of farm supervisors and agronomists, providing clear direction, performance feedback, and professional development opportunities.
• Monitor and analyze key performance indicators (KPIs) related to crop yield, resource utilization (water, fertilizer), operational costs, and environmental impact.
• Implement and enforce best practices in soil health management, biodiversity conservation, and waste reduction across all farming sites.
• Conduct regular remote site assessments and audits to ensure compliance with safety, quality, and sustainability standards.
• Collaborate with research and development teams to introduce and trial new sustainable farming techniques and technologies.
• Prepare detailed operational reports for senior management, highlighting achievements, challenges, and strategic recommendations.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Agriculture, Agronomy, Environmental Science, or a related field. A Master's degree is a plus.
• Minimum of 7 years of progressive experience in agricultural operations management, with a strong focus on sustainable practices.
• Proven experience in remote team leadership and management, with excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Proficiency in farm management software, data analysis tools, and remote sensing technologies.
• In-depth knowledge of crop science, soil management, integrated pest management (IPM), and water conservation techniques.
• Demonstrated ability to develop and execute strategic operational plans and manage budgets effectively.
• Strong understanding of South African agricultural landscape and regulatory environment.
• Excellent problem-solving abilities and a proactive approach to identifying and resolving operational issues.
• Must be comfortable and effective working in a fully remote setting.

Benefits

• substantial annual bonus based on performance
• comprehensive medical aid
• a generous retirement fund contribution
• opportunities for continuous professional development through online courses and workshops
• flexible working hours, encouraging autonomy and productivity
• fully remote nature of this role allows for unparalleled flexibility in managing your work and personal life
• committed to fostering a supportive and innovative remote work culture where your contributions are recognized and rewarded
• this is an exceptional opportunity to make a significant impact in the sustainable agriculture sector from anywhere in South Africa .