Executive: Farming Operations - Malelane at RCL Foods

Job Description    

• RCL Foods is currently seeking an Executive: Farming Operations to join our Sugar Business Unit. The role will be based in Malelane and report to the Director: Sustainable Cane Supply & Community Development.
• RCL Foods entrusts the Executive: Farming Operations to provide oversight over the RCL managed farming operations as well as provide agronomist and irrigation engineering support, through a team of specialists, ensuring best in class, safe farming practices and operations that deliver optimal sustainable yields while caring for the environment in a cost constrained environment.

Minimum Requirements    

• BSc or BTech in Crop Science or Agronomy or equivalent
• Advanced Management Qualification(s)
• Senior Certificate in Sugarcane Husbandry
• SASTA Membership
• Highly knowledgeable and experienced person with a minimum operational experience of 10 years or more on the following:
• Agronomy and soils health supported by necessary fertilizer practices
• Sugarcane husbandry, best farming practices / farming for the future
• Sustainable water and land use management
• Understanding of the sugar industry
• Commercial awareness of agronomic decisions  
• Project Management
• Cane Supply chain practices

To be considered for appointment, candidate must be a South African citizen and hold a valid driver’s license.

Duties & Responsibilities    

• Strategy: Develop and implement a strategy to optimize and sustain operational results of Cane JVs and RCL Farms.
• Business effectiveness: Drive operational efficiencies through best practice and continuous improvement. Maximize yields while controlling costs and safeguarding the environment and employees.
• Stakeholder relations: Establish and maintain good relations with internal and external stakeholders through meaningful engagement, good communication.
• Human resources: Employ, retain and develop a highly skilled team that will be able to deliver business strategy in Cane JVs and RCL Farms.
• Information: Analyse key information, develop, and maintain a production information system for timeous reporting to senior management, boards, and other stakeholders.
• Leadership: Provide an enabling environment for an inclusive and high-performance culture.
• Projects: Management of project teams, structures, and the required reporting.