Farming Field Manager - Lichtenburg at COFCO International

Minimum qualifications and experience

• Ideal candidate should have a minimum tertiary qualification, BSC Agriculture or BComm Agricultural Economics degree, and/or demonstrated work experience of minimum 5 years in managing farms and practical knowledge of farm row crops.

Job Description Summary: 

• Plan, execute, manage and report on designated COFCO South Africa Farming units.

Planning:

• Construct crop production plans for maize, soybeans, sunflower, wheat and cotton for designated COFCO farming units in conjunction with the COFCO Operations Manager and COFCO Contractors.
• The production plan includes making chemical- and fertilizer recommendations in conjunction with respective chemical representatives and agronomists.
• Building a set budget for each unit covering all necessary scenarios within an achievable cost range with the COFCO Operations Manager.
• Evaluate different input prices and farming practice to determine the most efficient production plan.

Execution:

• Execute the production plans within the set budget together with COFCO Operations Manager and Farming Contractors.
• Oversee that land preparations are done accurately and on time.
• Ensure timely planting and application of inputs within correct procedure and circumstances as set out in the production plan with Farming Contractors and COFCO Operations Manager.
• Ensure timely and accurate delivery of inputs and contracting services rendered.
• Ensure accurate delivery of harvested crops into designated silos and/or coordinating on-farm loading of harvested crops to end-point destinations.

Managing:

• Coordinate Farming Contractors by assisting with their day to day crop production activities and decision making.
• Continuously visiting designated farming units to follow up and help solve challenges, problems and monitor general progress. 
• On-farm stock management with safe stock storage, regular stock taking and implementation of inputs.

Reporting:

• Frequent updating and reporting on crop progress as well as projecting production outcomes based on agronomical characteristics and facts for designated COFCO South Africa Farming units.
• Reporting on factors that influence the crops during the season and potential damage and/or solutions to it.
• Reporting on the planned budget and any factors that may influence it toward potential over or under spending for each designated farming unit.
• On-farm as well as COFCO storage facility stock quantities.
• Report daily rainfall from farms.
• Complete, report and update crop estimates pre-harvest.
• Report deliveries into designated delivery points of harvested crops and reconcile with reports from Support from Stellenbosch.

Core Competencies

• Customer focus: Strong external/internal customer orientation.
• Communication: Listens well and shares ideas and solutions.
• Teamwork: Seeks involvement and input from other people.
• Initiative: Proactive, drives processes and tasks to achieve results.
• Innovation: Comes up with resourceful ideas and solutions.
• Ownership & Accountability: Takes ownership of own decisions and actions – successes and mistakes.
• Management: Gives timely, constructive and specific feedback.
• Detail orientation: Organized, methodical, good attention to detail.

Desirable skills

• ERP systems experience.

General

• Operational in Northwest – Lichtenburg area
• Reports to Senior Farming Field Manager.
• Salary is market related basic salary with Travel and Car Allowance, Provident fund and Medical aid benefits.
• Must have reliable vehicle, preferably utility (4x4 / bakkie).
• Expenses for relocation will be covered as required.