Senior Farm Business Manager

Placements24; Sandton; On-site; ZAR 1,400,000 - 2,400,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Executive salary

Company vehicle

Medical aid

Retirement fund

Career advancement

Job summary

Placements24 in Sandton seeks a Senior Farm Business Manager to oversee multiple farming units. You will lead financial planning, budgeting, and risk management while driving profitability and operational efficiency across the enterprise.

The role requires 8+ years in farm business management, strong leadership, and deep knowledge of South African agricultural markets. On-site position with opportunity for strategic influence and growth.

Qualifications

• MBA or Master’s degree in Business Administration, Agricultural Management, Finance or related field.
• Minimum of 8 years of progressive experience in farm business management, agricultural finance, or operations management.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute strategic business plans for multiple farm operations to ensure profitability and sustainability.
• Oversee the creation and management of annual budgets, financial forecasts, and performance reports.
• Manage financial resources, including cash flow, capital expenditure, and debt financing.
• Drive operational efficiencies and implement best practices across all farming units.
• Lead, mentor, and develop a team of farm managers and operational personnel.
• Monitor KPIs and implement strategies to achieve targets.
• Identify and assess new business opportunities, including market expansion and product diversification.
• Ensure compliance with all relevant legal, regulatory, and industry standards.
• Oversee risk management strategies, including crop insurance and market hedging.
• Foster a culture of continuous improvement, innovation, and accountability.

Skills

Leadership

Strategic thinking

Financial analysis

Communication

Interpersonal skills

Negotiation

Education

MBA or Master’s in Business Administration, Agricultural Management, Finance

Tools

Farm management software

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a large-scale agricultural enterprise with operations in the **Sandton** area, is looking for a highly experienced Senior Farm Business Manager to oversee and optimize the financial and operational performance of multiple farming units. This is a critical on-site role responsible for strategic planning, budgeting, financial management, resource allocation, and driving operational efficiencies across the business. You will lead a team of farm managers and operational staff, ensuring that all activities align with the company's strategic objectives and profitability goals. The ideal candidate will possess a strong blend of business acumen, financial expertise, and a solid understanding of modern agricultural practices. Your responsibilities will extend to performance monitoring, risk management, and identifying opportunities for growth and innovation. A proven track record in managing complex agricultural businesses and a deep understanding of the South African agricultural market are essential. You will report directly to senior executive leadership and play a pivotal role in the company's success.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and execute strategic business plans for multiple farm operations to ensure profitability and sustainability.
• Oversee the creation and management of annual budgets, financial forecasts, and performance reports.
• Manage financial resources, including cash flow, capital expenditure, and debt financing.
• Drive operational efficiencies and implement best practices across all farming units.
• Lead, mentor, and develop a team of farm managers and operational personnel.
• Monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) and implement strategies to achieve targets.
• Identify and assess new business opportunities, including market expansion and product diversification.
• Ensure compliance with all relevant legal, regulatory, and industry standards.
• Oversee risk management strategies, including crop insurance and market hedging.
• Foster a culture of continuous improvement, innovation, and accountability.

Requirements

• MBA or Master's degree in Business Administration, Agricultural Management, Finance, or a related field.
• Minimum of 8 years of progressive experience in farm business management, agricultural finance, or operations management within the agricultural sector.
• Demonstrated success in managing budgets, financial planning, and driving profitability for large-scale agricultural operations.
• Strong understanding of agricultural production systems, value chains, and market dynamics.
• Excellent leadership, strategic thinking, and decision-making skills.
• Proficiency in financial analysis tools and farm management software.
• Exceptional communication, negotiation, and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work effectively at a strategic level while understanding operational details.
• Knowledge of the South African agricultural industry is essential.
• Must possess a valid driver's license and be willing to travel to different farm locations.

Benefits

• Highly competitive executive salary and comprehensive bonus structure.
• Company vehicle and fuel allowance.
• Generous medical aid, retirement fund, and other executive benefits.
• Significant opportunities for career advancement and professional growth.
• Strategic influence over a major agricultural business.
• Dynamic and challenging work environment.