Senior Manager: Systems Engineering & Operations

M3 Human Capital Management (Pty) Ltd; Wes-Kaap; On-site; ZAR 800,000 - 1,200,000; Full time

Job summary

A prominent agricultural enterprise in South Africa is seeking a Senior Manager for Systems Engineering & Operations. This role involves working closely with management to enhance farm operations, optimize processes, and analyze ERP data. Candidates should have a Bachelor's degree in Industrial Engineering and at least 5 years of experience in a similar role, alongside strong analytical skills and experience with ERP systems and BI tools. The position offers autonomy and the opportunity to make a visible impact in agricultural operations.

Qualifications

• At least 5 years’ experience in a similar role within packaging or food manufacturing or agricultural environment.
• Experience with ERP system implementation.

Responsibilities

• Gather and document business needs; translate these into technical specifications.
• Measure efficiency and recommend data-driven improvement initiatives.
• Collaborate with farm management and ERP vendors to enhance system functionality.
• Extract and analyze data from the ERP system; develop management dashboards.
• Work with management and team leaders to provide actionable recommendations.

Skills

Strong analytical skills

Experience with MS Excel

Experience with SQL

Experience with Power BI or Tableau

Strong verbal and written communication skills

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Industrial Engineering

Tools

ERP systems (e.g., Sage X3, Syspro, SAP, Oracle)

Job description

Senior Manager: Systems Engineering & Operations

Laastedrif Agri (Pty) Ltd., an established commercial agricultural enterprise based in Ceres, specializes in the cultivation of fresh fruit and vegetables and serves local supermarkets as well as international markets. With a modern, technology‑driven farming and packhouse operation, Laastedrif is expanding its team and seeks a leader with strong analytical skills, continuous improvement mindset, and a passion for agriculture.

As Senior Manager, you will work closely with senior management to analyze farm operations, optimize processes, and transform ERP data into actionable insights that improve productivity, reduce waste, and support the mission of delivering exceptional quality.

Key Responsibilities

• Business analysis: Gather and clearly document business needs; translate business requirements into practical technical specifications; prioritize system improvement projects based on operational needs.
• Business process engineering: Define and document current processes; measure efficiency and recommend data‑driven improvement initiatives; provide insights for digitization and automation of processes.
• ERP system development: Collaborate with farm management and ERP vendors to improve system functionality and better meet farm needs; drive initiatives to improve ERP utilization and adoption.
• Data analysis: Extract, analyze, and interpret data from the ERP system; develop dashboards, weekly reports, and KPI trackers for management; present trends that support operational decision making.
• Cross‑functional collaboration: Work directly with management and team leaders; translate technical insights into clear, actionable recommendations; support operational teams with problem‑solving and project implementation.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Industrial Engineering or a related engineering discipline.
• At least 5 years’ experience in a similar role within a packaging or food manufacturing or agricultural environment.
• Strong analytical skills and experience with MS Excel, SQL, and business‑intelligence tools such as Power BI or Tableau.
• Experience with ERP system implementation (e.g., Sage X3, Syspro, SAP, Oracle).
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.

We’re looking for someone who

• Is inquisitive, proactive, and comfortable engaging with operations teams.
• Is a practical problem‑solver with strong attention to detail.
• Can convert complex data into simple, actionable insights.
• Has a strong sense of responsibility and takes ownership of outcomes.

Why join the Laastedrif team

This role offers autonomy and visible impact. You will work directly with a hands‑on management team, drive operational excellence, and influence real decisions in a production‑intensive environment. You’ll gain exposure to end‑to‑end agriculture operations in one of South Africa’s key farming regions.

EEO Statement

Applications will be considered in terms of the Employer’s Employment Policy and Employment Equity objectives.

How to apply

Please apply online at www.m3online.co.za before 09:00 on 19 January 2026.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. If you do not hear from us within two weeks of the closing date, please assume that your application was unsuccessful.

For general enquiries, contact our team at M3 Human Capital Management on 021 863 1444.