Senior Technical Manager: Fruit Supply

Berry World; Stellenbosch; On-site; ZAR 1,000,000 - 1,400,000; Full time

Job summary

BerryWorld South Africa is seeking a Senior Technical Manager: Fruit Supply to lead and develop the Fruit Supply function and support growth of a sustainable, high-quality soft fruit supply base. This role combines horticultural expertise with commercial insight and strong grower relationships.

You will steer strategies for varieties, crop performance, planning and production improvement, while working closely with Postharvest, Procurement, Sales, Finance and Variety Development to align supply

Qualifications

• Strong horticultural or agronomic background with commercial understanding.
• Experience advising growers and managing technical programs.
• Proven leadership of technical or grower-facing teams.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop the Fruit Supply team.
• Build strong, long-term relationships with growers.
• Drive Fruit Supply strategy, planting plans, forecasting and sustainable supply growth.
• Guide decisions on varieties, crop performance, regional suitability and production improvement.
• Provide senior technical support on complex grower and production matters.
• Use production, quality and commercial information to identify risks and opportunities.
• Work with Postharvest, Procurement, Sales, Finance and Variety Development to align supply with market needs.

Skills

Grower relationship management

Strategic thinking

Commercial acumen

Leadership

Stakeholder management

Education

Degree in Agriculture/Horticulture/Agronomy

Job description

Senior Technical Manager: Fruit Supply

BerryWorld South Africa is looking for an experienced, commercially minded and grower-focused Senior Technical Manager: Fruit Supply to lead and develop the Fruit Supply function and support the growth of a sustainable, high-quality soft fruit supply base.

This role suits an agricultural professional who combines strong horticultural or agronomic expertise with commercial understanding, strategic thinking, and excellent grower relationship skills.

Key responsibilities

• Lead and develop the Fruit Supply team.
• Build strong, long-term relationships with growers.
• Drive Fruit Supply strategy, planting plans, forecasting and sustainable supply growth.
• Guide decisions on varieties, crop performance, regional suitability and production improvement.
• Provide senior technical support on complex grower and production matters.
• Use production, quality and commercial information to identify risks and opportunities.
• Work closely with Postharvest, Procurement, Sales, Finance and Variety Development to align supply with business and market requirements.
  

What you will bring

• A relevant tertiary qualification in Agriculture, Horticulture, Agronomy, or a related field.
• 5–10 years’ experience in the South African fruit industry, ideally in soft fruit or berries.
• Proven experience providing technical advice to commercial growers.
• 3–5 years’ people leadership experience in a technical or grower-facing environment.
• Strong commercial awareness, analytical capability and stakeholder management skills.
• Valid driver’s licence and willingness to travel regularly.
  

Berry experience is advantageous, although strong candidates from the wider fruit industry are encouraged to apply.

If you are a technically credible agricultural leader who can operate confidently at both grower and senior management level, we would like to hear from you