Senior Agronomist - Vineyard Management

Placements24; Cape Town; Hybrid; ZAR 900,000 - 1,200,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work model

Health insurance

Retirement benefits

Access to vineyard tech

Job summary

Placements24 in the Cape Town region seeks a Senior Agronomist to oversee viticulture operations across premier vineyards, managing soil, planting, irrigation, harvest, and grape quality for premium wine production.

Lead vineyard teams, implement IPM, collaborate with winemakers, and drive innovation and sustainability using precision agriculture and data-driven decisions.

Qualifications

• Degree in Agronomy, Horticulture, Plant Science, or related field.
• Minimum 7 years of experience in viticulture or high-value crop agronomy.
• In-depth knowledge of grapevine physiology, soil science, and pest/disease management.
• Experience with precision agriculture technologies and data-driven decision-making.
• Strong leadership, communication, and problem-solving skills.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement comprehensive vineyard management plans (irrigation, fertilization, canopy management).
• Conduct soil and tissue analyses to monitor crop health and nutrients.
• Oversee pest and disease control programs using IPM principles.
• Manage and mentor vineyard staff, ensuring safety and best practices.
• Collaborate with winemakers to meet varietal and stylistic grape quality requirements.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Problem-solving

Data-driven decisions

IPM principles

Education

Degree in Agronomy, Horticulture, or Plant Science

Tools

Precision agriculture technologies

Job description

About the Role

Our client is seeking an experienced Senior Agronomist to oversee viticulture operations for their premier vineyards located in the picturesque Cape Town region. You will be responsible for the entire lifecycle of grape cultivation, from soil management and planting to harvest, ensuring the highest quality grapes for premium wine production. This role requires a deep understanding of agricultural science, plant pathology, and pest management, combined with strong leadership skills to manage vineyard teams. You will play a critical role in driving innovation and sustainability within the winemaking industry, working in a dynamic environment that blends traditional expertise with modern agricultural techniques.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and implement comprehensive vineyard management plans, including irrigation, fertilization, and canopy management strategies.
• Conduct regular soil and plant tissue analysis to monitor crop health and nutrient status.
• Oversee pest and disease control programs, utilizing integrated pest management (IPM) principles.
• Manage and mentor vineyard staff, ensuring adherence to best practices and safety standards.
• Collaborate with winemakers to ensure grape quality meets specific varietal and stylistic requirements.

Requirements

Degree in Agronomy, Horticulture, Plant Science, or a related agricultural field. Minimum of 7 years of experience in viticulture or high-value crop agronomy. In-depth knowledge of grapevine physiology , soil science, and pest/disease management. Experience with precision agriculture technologies and data-driven decision-making. Strong leadership, communication, and problem-solving skills.

Benefits

• Competitive annual salary with performance-based incentives.
• Hybrid work model offering flexibility between field and office.
• Access to cutting-edge vineyard technology and research facilities.
• Comprehensive health insurance and retirement benefits.
• Opportunity to work with world-renowned grape varietals in a beautiful setting.