About the position
Westfalia Fruit Estate has an open role for a suitably qualified and experiencedFarming Operations Manager, based in Tzaneen.
Westfalia Fruit is a leading global supplier of fresh fruit and related value-added products to international markets. Through our vertically-integrated supply chain we grow, source, ripen, pack, process and market quality avocadoes & fresh produce - 365 days a year & across the globe.
With the largest avocado-growing footprint in the world, we are recognised as avocado experts and considered as the supplier of choice to both retail & wholesale customers whom we serve from sales offices in the UK, Europe, North America, Latin America & Southern Africa.
Purpose of the role:
We seek an experienced leader to execute the operational plan of the production units of Westfalia Fruit, through the effective utilization of all its natural, human and financial resources to maximize profits. The incumbent must demonstrate excellent leadership and management skills, financial management and human resources management skills. The incumbent shall have the ability to develop and implement plans aimed at ensuring sustainable and continuous yield, quality improvement and production cost management.
Key Accountabilities:
Operational Management
Short Term Plans
- Control cost and drive monthly KPI reporting on picking, pruning, fertilizer, irrigation, chemical application
- Orchard performance Evaluation -yield, quality, and production cost.
- Coach and mentor, the team
- Managing and reporting on the implementation of orchard improvement action trackers
Medium Term Plans
- Replant development need analysis.
- Water use and electricity use analysis
- Identifying and implementation of value adding initiatives
- Maintenance of current establishment
- Soil and tree health survey by AGES or Aerobotics
Other Operational Activities
- Develop and implement picking/pruning management system and reporting
- Pest and disease monitoring and control
- Warehouse management and stock control
- Fertiliser and chemical recommendation and application
- Irrigation recommendation and application
Health and Safety
- Accept and execute 8(2) Role and Responsibilities
- Management and implementation of HSMS
- Delivery on Group set objective and goals.
- Support and achieve and maintenance ISO45001 certification SA Production units
People Management
- Instil discipline within the management and labour force.
- Setting clear and detailed individual performance agreements, management subordinate, coach, and mentor the team.
- Responsibility for the application of legal and fair labour relation practices, to ensure a peaceful working environment.
- Developing successors for critical positions.
- Create a healthy labour relations environment through continuous employee engagement.
Financial and Business Management
- Collaborate and participate in setting-up budgets, monitor, allocate resources, review and making monthly estimates adjustments.
- Prepare monthly and/or project finance report for management to provide insight into the company.
- Contribute to the business profitability by managing people and resources, to establish and accomplish business unit objective set targets, in accordance with budget and industry norms.
Infrastructure Management and Compliance
Infrastructure
- Ensure that statutory obligations, including but not limited to, Dam safety, building registration, EIA, Water Rights, Roads, transport, electricity supply and use, etc.
- Manage the planning, design and implementation of all production related projects.
- Create an inclusive culture.
- D365 Use and Implementation
- Farm costing on block level
- Farming Solutions
- H&S System
Capital Projects
- Conduct and compile feasibility studies for new projects and/or developments.
- Engagement with internal managers for Capital requirements
- Technical Review of capital projects (Capex Requests)
- Setup Business cases, Capex requests and execute projects timeously and within budget.
Continuous Improvement
- Constant performance evaluation of farming practices/activities.
- Develop and implement process flows for all activities.
- Communicating water use entitlements to various farm managers.
- Work with newly established Continuous Improvement Department.
- Liaise with all institutions involved in our operation, to ensure that all available technology and resources are effectively integrated with production practices.
- Co-ordinate the practical implementation of promising research results and relevant literature into production practices.
- Identify areas of future research and motivate for their adoption into the research programs.
Minimum Requirements:
Education:
- Degree in Agricultural Science or similar
- Post graduate qualification will be advantageous
- Management and Leadership Development Programme is desirable
Experience:
- At least 5-10-years' experience in operational environment, preferably agriculture
- At least 5-years' experience in role or similar roles on Health and Safety.
- About 2-3-years' experience with an ERP system or similar
- Computer literate - Expert level (MS office)
- Valid driver's license and own transport
Behavioral Competencies:
- Ability to manage an export subtropical fruit business
- Good people management skills across all levels of the business
- Detailed knowledge of external accreditation requirements for export to the EU
- Financial planning and control
- Knowledge of the legal framework for farming operations in South Africa
- Person of integrity, passion for work, excellence and success
- Excellent communicator
- Good Business acumen
- Results driven team player
- Competent to assess situations and ability to make decisions
- Willingness to travel
- Ability to work under constant pressure
- Self-starter and ability to work independently and as part of a team
- Analytical problem-solving ability
- Attention to detail
Remuneration:
- The Company offers a Total Guaranteed Remuneration Package which comprises provident fund, insured benefits, and an option to structure an annual bonus.
Desired Skills:
- Farming
- Operations
- Manager
