General Manager – Farming Operations

Reference: MLR 6616

Consultant: Michelle Le Roux

Description:

• General farm operations management – drive quality KPI’s, unit volumes and unit costs,
• Drive development of all supporting infrastructure (cableways, irrigation & fertigation, packhouses, electrical, housing, and other infrastructure)
• Drive ongoing continuous improvement, focusing on detail around quality, volumes, and yields: Production Planning, Nutrition, Orchard Management, Irrigation and water Management, Bunchcare, Pest/Weed/Disease Control, Harvesting Operations
• Recruiting, leading, planning and developing a first-class operational team at all levels throughout the operations,
• Attention to detailed operations systems and SOPs; – to drive productivity and quality; and crop planning from field through to packhouse and delivery to customers,
• Forecasting expected production levels for marketing & logistics planning,
• Drive adoption of global best practices and benchmarks with local innovation
• Implement Global GAP throughout all operations,
• Manage & ensure that all assets are accounted for, and are in good working condition,
• Plan all new development, determine ROI’s, implement on time and to pre-determined budgets.
• Manage financials against budgets and cashflow forecasts,
• Manage farming operations business accounts through monthly finance reporting and corresponding financial KPI’s,
• Plan & manage interaction with the procurement function to ensure quality, timely & adequate supplies, to support operations,
• Effective stakeholder management through team leadership & cohesiveness in all farm activities,
• Drive adoption and use of new and changing technologies throughout the operation,
• Work with sales & marketing teams to develop and build premium end market channels,
• Closely guard reputation and integrity of the business.

Qualifications:

• A strong university degree from a reputable organization, in a relevant subject.
• A minimum of 5 years’ experience in a relevant context, including at management level.
• Management level in high-end banana or other orchard or horticultural production,
• Demonstrated strategic, hands–on experience in transforming operations to world class standards.
• Excellent computer skills, particularly Microsoft Excel, Word, Power Point, QGIS, and any applications specific to agriculture.
• Confident and open team player,
• Strong leadership capacity, with high impact and influence with the ability to develop and maintain a high potential team,
• Strong attention to detail,
• High degree of accuracy,
• Proactive and entrepreneurial bent, with proven high agency and ability to make things happen,

How to Apply:

• Email your comprehensive CV to exceedhr@exceed.co.za.
• If you are already registered, please forward your CV and the relevant reference number to the consultant with whom you are currently registered to avoid duplicity on our system.
• We reserve the right to only conduct interviews with candidates of choice.
• Applicants who have not received feedback within 30 days from the closing date must please accept their application as unsuccessful.