Pidelta: Forestry Farm Manager (Greytown) at Starke Ayres

The following position has become available at Pidelta, based in Greytown: Forestry Farm Manager.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Attention to detail:

• Infrastructure maintenance.
• Farm and Equipment appearance, tidiness and presentation, company image.
• Environmental awareness, invader species, protection of wildlife, soil erosion, safe and responsible handling of chemicals.
• Building professional networks and keeping abreast of developments in agricultural science.
• Ensuring compliance with government regulations and health and safety standards.
• Keeping an up-to-date knowledge of pests and diseases.

Accountability:

• Management of performance and wellbeing of staff.
• Protection and maintenance of company assets.
• Taking responsibility for outcomes as per the annual operation plan.
• Ensuring all staff adheres to health and safety regulations.
• Organising maintenance/repair of farm property, equipment, and machinery.

Communication:

• Clear and consistent communication with colleagues and staff.
• Clear and consistent communication with management.
• Clear and consistent communication with suppliers and customers.
• Broader community involvement.
• Displaying willingness and engaging positively in a team environment.

Optimizing inputs and outputs:

• Analysis of outputs and results.
• Measurement of outputs.
• Monitoring the outcomes and effectiveness of the deployed resources.
• Ensuring high quality of outputs.
• Timeliness, of various processes during the season.
• Careful management and control of input resources.
• Analysing existing operations, crops, staff, and financial documents and recommending improvements.
• Preparing plans and schedules for planting and harvesting and ensuring staff understands expectations.
• Ensuring seeds, fertilizers, pesticides, and other supplies are regularly restocked.
• Scheduling repairs, maintenance, and replacement of equipment and machinery.
• Making sure that work is done safely and in time to meet targets and orders.
• Responding to emergencies and solving problems effectively.

Financial awareness:

• Understanding the budget.
• Discipline to stick to the budget.
• Awareness of progress during the year.
• Budget management.
• Collaborating with senior staff to prepare budgets and financial reports.
• Ensuring that the farm is profitable and meets projected financial targets.
• Budgeting and maintaining accurate records.

Planning of Farming Operations:

• Accurate planning of schedules and harvesting to accommodate all facets of the business.
• Plan the process flow and troubleshoot challenges.
• Plan all farm operations and expansions as per seasonal requirements.
• Prepare and Manage budget for approval and then manage the budget.
• Implement solutions where problems occur.
• Ensure accurate record keeping for future reference.

Operational Task Execution:

• Supervise farm production tasks.
• Plan and implement planning to ensure tasks are completed on time and be of high Quality and within cost.
• Devise effective spray and nutrition programmes.
• Manage costs spent on task and operations.

Machinery and Equipment Maintenance:

• Inspect implements and equipment before they are used.
• Repair any damage or potential problems.
• Act in a preventative manner regarding implements and equipment.
• Ensure that implements and equipment are operated correctly and that no abuse accidents occur.

Labour Supervision (Fluent in isiZulu):

• Ensure that all statutory and legal requirements are adhered to.
• Allocate employees per task and requirements.
• Manage and supervise employees to ensure optimum productivity.
• Ensure quality of tasks executed.
• Implement basic disciplinary processes as and when required.
• Ensure that good relationships are developed and kept with both permanent and Fixed Term Workers.
• Adhere to all aspects of the OHS act and BCEA.

Develop & maintain Avocado orchard:

• Establish new orchards and maintain existing orchards.
• Stay up to date with industry developments in the Avocado space.
• Develop supply chain and offtakes for productions.

Requirements

REQUIREMENTS:

Education:

• Min: Matric and/ Diploma in Agriculture.
• Ideal: Bachelor’s Qualification in Agriculture/Forestry.

Legal Requirements:

• Min: Valid Driver’s License.

Experience:

• 5 Years Farm Manager experience.
• Forestry experience is a must.
• Basic Computer Skills.
• Fluent in isiZulu.