Head of Agriculture Africa

SUMMARY:
Well established multinational fruit grower and processor has a vacancy for the abovementioned who has a BSc Agric who will ensure that all production related activities are undertaken within accepted norms and procedures in order to ensure long-term sustainability of the business, this would include fruit farming, water and other infrastructure, harvesting and fruit packaging. Should you have any queries, please call Antoinette or Kaylin on 0861 FENRIS (336747).

POSITION INFO:

Responsibilities:
Production and Growth Strategy Development - Fruit Production, Fruit Packing/Harvesting, development and implementation of Five (5) year growth and expansion strategy/plan.
Technical Evaluation of all orchards, soils and tree health – use of AGES and Aerobotics.
Financial & Business Management - Collaborate and participate in setting-up budgets, monitor, allocate resources, review and making mid-year adjustment.
Managing people and resource to establish and accomplish business objective.
Instil discipline within the management and labour force.
Setting performance agreements, management subordinate, coach, and mentor the team.
Developing successors for critical positions.
Create a healthy labour relations environment through continuous employee engagement.
Health & Safety -Accept and execute 16(2) and GMR2(1) role and responsibilities - Management and implementation of HSMS, Drive Hazard identification and development of risk assessments of all operations.
Support and Achieve and maintenance ISO45001 Accreditation in South African Production Units.
Capital Projects - Conduct and compile feasibility studies for new project and/or development.
Technical Review and Approval of capital projects (Capex Requests).
Setup Budget, Capex request and execute project timeously and within budget.
Continuous Improvement - Constant performance evaluation of farming practices/activities, this includes, profit, resource entitlement and usage, process flows for all activities and improvement of yields in conjunction with CI dept.
Corporate Governance, Risk and Compliance - Ensure that statutory obligations under the auspices of Farming and trees/fruit production management are prepared and maintained, including infrastructure.
Enforce ethical business practices, and exercise oversight to ensure compliance to corporate governance, ethical and responsible behaviour as per the policies.
Operational Activities - picking and pruning management, Pest and Disease monitoring and control as well as Warehouse management and stock control.
Ensure compliance for all relevant accreditations, including legal aspects regarding water rights and Health and Safety regulations.
Audits - GlobalGAP and others.
Managing the audit process, from booking and audit related activities.


Requirements:
Degree in the Agricultural sciences or other relevant fields
Post graduate qualification will be advantageous
At least 10-15 yrs exp in packhouse operational environment, preferably agriculture
At least 5 yrs exp in 16.(2) role or similar roles on Health and Safety
Technically competent to manage an export subtropical fruit business.
Good people management skills across all levels of the business.
Detailed knowledge of external accreditation requirements for local and export markets.
Financial planning and control.
Knowledge of the legal framework for farming operations across Africa.
High level of computer literacy


Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.