Senior Crops & Machinery Manager — Farm Ops Leader

Farm Manager SA; Cradock; On-site; ZAR 350,000 - 550,000; Full time

Job summary

Farm Manager SA in Cradock, Eastern Cape, seeks an experienced farm manager to oversee crop production, machinery and workshop operations on a 300+ hectare farm. You will coordinate planting, irrigation, inputs, maintenance and staff, with emphasis on safety and records.

Role demands hands-on tractor, combine, and repairs experience, plus electrical troubleshooting. South African driver’s license is required; living in a rural farming community is expected.

Qualifications

• Minimum 5 years of hands-on experience in commercial crop farming and machinery management.
• Practical farm workshop competence including welding (arc/gas/CO2) and safe use of power tools.
• Proactive, self-reliant troubleshooting to fix issues on farm before contracting work.
• Hands-on servicing of diesel engines, John Deere tractors, combines and implements.
• Basic knowledge of rural electrical systems for minor troubleshooting.
• Experience operating heavy machinery, driving combine harvesters and TLBs.
• Ability to use smartphones and agricultural apps with structured record-keeping.
• Growing up on a commercial farm is advantageous; comfortable in rural community.
• Valid South African driver's license.

Responsibilities

• Manage the full production cycle—from soil management, planting, irrigation scheduling to harvesting and post-harvest storage.
• Oversee end-to-end ordering for crop inputs; source quotes and coordinate with suppliers.
• Manage input stock control aligned with crop programs.
• Oversee pasture management and crop rotations with Livestock Manager.
• Direct maintenance, servicing, and operation of farm vehicles and implements; operate heavy machinery during harvest.
• Manage the farm workshop, tools, equipment, and infrastructure for safety and order.
• Oversee water distribution, pump checks, and routine upkeep of irrigation across 300+ hectares.
• Supervise ~6 permanent staff and manage temporary workers; implement daily checklists and safety protocols.
• Assist with input budgeting, financial planning, and operational cost control.
• Handle crop delivery logistics locally and coordinate with agricultural clients.

Skills

Crop farming

Machinery maintenance

Welding

Electrical troubleshooting

Record-keeping

Digital/app usage

Team supervision

Problem solving

South African driver's license

Tools

John Deere tractors

Combine harvesters

Farm workshop tools

Job description

Farm Manager SA in Cradock, Eastern Cape, seeks an experienced farm manager to oversee crop production, machinery and workshop operations on a 300+ hectare farm. You will coordinate planting, irrigation, inputs, maintenance and staff, with emphasis on safety and records.

Role demands hands-on tractor, combine, and repairs experience, plus electrical troubleshooting. South African driver’s license is required; living in a rural farming community is expected.