Farm Manager at Helderberg Personnel

QUALIFICATION & EXPERIENCE:

• A relevant tertiary degree / diploma in agriculture and/or horticulture advantageous.
• 5 – 10 Years’ relevant farm production experience.

SKILLS & COMPETENCIES

• Horticultural practices and a technical understanding of fruit production functions.
• Strong computer literacy: MS Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint).
• Good agricultural practices and crop production.
• Good financial management.
• Basic human resources legislation, especially those relevant to everyday operations (e.g. Absenteeism, leave, health and safety, working hours).

Responsibilities:
Business management organisation, coordination and control:

• Contribute to the development of the farming strategic objectives.
• Translate these objectives into operational plans with specific targets.
• Monitor and control operational plans to ensure effective  implementation.
• Ensure long- and short-term operations objectives are formulated within the framework of the business strategy and objectives.
• Formulate a comprehensive resource plan.
• Control the acquisition, deployment and allocation of key resources in line with coordinated farming activities.
• Ensure efficient and effective planning of the deployment of people, materials, equipment and expertise.
• Ensure day-to-day farming activities are well coordinated and monitored to ensure operating best practices are adhered to.

Production Management:

• Effectively and efficiently manage the production of the farm as per plan and forecasts.
• Ensure the maintenance of the farm as per procedures.
• Ensure coordinated operational activities.

Quality Management:

• Ensure quality assurance 
• Prioritize activities that maximize the quality of the fruit

Project Management:

• Effectively Manage the planning, budget and execution of new plantings and infrastructure builds
• Ensure projects are delivered within budget and on time.
• Ensure projects meet all quality standards.
• Ensure projects are operationalised within agreed timelines once completed

Risk Management and Compliance:

• Ensure and monitor that risk mitigation measures are in place, adhered to, and monitored regularly.
• Ensure compliance with all company’s policies, procedures and practices in additions to third-party audits and legislation requirements, i.e., Global G.A.P. etc.
• Determine procedural changes for greater efficiency and accuracy

Administration and Finance (Suppliers and Service Providers):

• Consult with Technical department on horticultural best practices.
• Ensure alignment between external service providers and best practice information gathered from technical department.
• Monitor that suppliers and service providers deliver on quantity and quality expectations in line with resource plans

Administration and Finance (Budget Control):

• Draft the annual budget for the farming unit and present it timeously to key stakeholders.
• Monitor income and costs monthly with deviations analysed and forecasts updated.
• Report relevant budget information to the Board of Directors and Finance department when required.
• Monitor that all expenditures are in line with the budget and operational requirements as well as adhere to the Delegation of Authority.
• Operate within the approved budgets

Human Resources Management:

• Plan and roll out annual optimal and cost-effective resource plan.
• Ensure headcount related costs are in line with budget.
• Implement and take accountability for all HR policies, procedures and initiatives and ensure that control measures are in place to monitor progress.
• Identify relevant training needs.
• Motivate employees to create a culture of commitment.
• Promote the culture and values of the organisation through own actions and behaviour.
• Set performance standards in collaboration with employees and monitor performance.
• Ensure an adequate workforce for the efficient and effective operation of the farm.
• Monitor and enforce employee adherence to employer’s policies, legislation, procedures and practices

Asset Management:

• Purchase machinery, equipment, and supplies, such as tractors, seed, fertiliser and chemicals within budget and within guidelines provided.
• Effective operational management.

Systems Management:

• Ensure that systems are in place to ensure effective information gathering.
• Ensure that system and process control measures are in place and implemented to maintain data and information integrity.
• Ensure that relevant data requirements are available to implement operational plans.