Job Openings at Farm Managers SA

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS5

• Minimum of 5-year farm foreman experience
• Overseeing daily farm operations, managing staff, livestock, and equipment.
• Ensuring smooth and efficient running of all daily operations and production activities.
• Managing livestock and ensuring their health and welfare.
• Overseeing equipment use, servicing, and repairs.
• Maintaining accurate record-keeping and inventory systems.
• Compiling and submitting daily reports to management.
• Enforcing safety and compliance protocols across all farm activities.
• Managing and optimizing crop production.
• Leading pest and disease prevention and treatment programs.
• Administering orchard spraying and fertilisation schedules.
• Supervising and training farm labourers to maximise productivity.
• Assisting the Farm Manager with financial management and improving budgets.
• Solving operational challenges, with a focus on innovative agricultural methods

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES INCLUDE BUT ARE NOT LIMITED

• Administrative duties like stock taking, checklists, logs, staff rosters etc.
• To use the orchard equipment safely and when authorised, according to all company and Health and Safety regulations, including but not limited to tractors, sprayers, irrigation, hydra-ladders, mowers, mulchers, chainsaws, pruning equipment, ladders and picking bags.
• To take responsibility for company equipment and ensure it is used responsibly, according to manufacturer’s specifications and that staff show due care for equipment to minimise wear and tear or damage.
• Ensure staff are being utilized effectively and efficiently and advise Management of any concerns or issues.
• To train and educate inexperienced staff in all aspects of orcharding and Health and Safety.
• Complete, check, enter and submit staff timesheets when applicable.
• Complete administrative, record keeping, and compliance tasks as required.
• Assist the Orchard Manager to ensure orchard operations work within budgets.
• Carry out minor maintenance of orcharding equipment when instructed. Repair maintain irrigation systems such as minor leaks or issues.
• Carry out efficiently and effectively orchard tasks such as spraying, pruning, tree development, thinning, harvesting and quality control.
• Undertake nursery work as directed.
• Carry out any other duties requested and allocated to you by your manager.
• Provide assistance as required within other departments of the business.
• Ensure all company Health and Safety policies and legislative regulations and protocols are carried out at all times.
• In the absence of the Production Manager, temporarily manage the day to day running of the orchards under the instructions from the Production Manager.
• Manage and assist with all other aspects of the farm and hospitality when required

go to method of application »

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

• Candidate must have a background in Agriculture with minimum of 5 to 10 years’ experience in similar role.
• Must have experience in Stone Fruit and or Nuts and Vegetable production.
• A huge passion for plants in general and an open-minded approach for permaculture farming and farming with nature.
• Supervise and manage a team, train and organize various tasks and project on the farm
• Operate tractor and tractor equipment especially spraying and other tractor attachments to prepare lands and roads.
• Computer literate like Microsoft Office and do administrative duties like stock take etc.
• Must have valid driver’s license and first aid, other accreditations would be beneficial.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES & DUTIES REQUIRED

• Experience in Orchard and vegetable production: Overseas health and wellbeing of all plants on the farm
• Monitor tree, plant and soil health and find solutions to improve and maximize harvests
• Monitor and coordinate efficient water management
• Manage pests, diseases and weeds eco friendly
• Manage harvest and plan future plantings
• Landscape and manage the farm to table guest accommodation production
• Research and development on all plant aspects and production of the farm
• Oversee the health & safety practices of the farm
• Identify key risk areas and implement processes and procedures to mitigate these risks
• Stock control and cost-effective management of plant production
• Provide daily updates to owners of daily happenings on the farm
• Plan and implement field preparation for various crops
• Any other ad hoc duties from that of a Production manager
• Administrative duties like stock taking, checklists, logs, staff rosters etc.

go to method of application »

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

• 3-5 years farming experience (knowledge of soil health, use & application of chemicals, irrigation systems, managing labour)
• Hands on, in the field, comfortable with farm working hours (loves being a farmer)
• Proficient in Zulu
• Mechanically orientated (i.e. may not necessarily do the mechanics himself but knows about servicing of tractors, fixing implements & equipment)
• Confident, intelligent with a competent EQ
• Resilient to challenges inherent in the farming industry and staff issues
• Computer literate (I realise this might be mutually exclusive to requirement 2 – but really the main requirement is someone  who agrees that record keeping is important)
• Decent track record in terms of employment history (i.e. time in past roles demonstrates commitment to the employer)

go to method of application »

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

• Agricultural Diploma / Degree
• Agricultural background experience advantageous
• Ability to work with data and capturing electronically skills
• Computer literate (Excel)
• Good work ethic
• Hardworking and reliable with a positive attitude
• Ability to speak Zulu
• Willingness to learn
• Valid driver’s license

go to method of application »

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

• Relevant qualification or proven experience in pack house management or fresh produce operations.
• Experience with GlobalG.A.P. systems, audits, and traceability (essential or highly advantageous).
• Tech-savvy with experience using online labour or farm management systems (Agrigistics experience highly advantageous).
• Strong understanding of food safety and hygiene standards.
• Proven leadership and staff management experience.
• Computer literacy and good administrative skills 

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES INCLUDE BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO

Pack House Operations Management

• Oversee daily pack house operations including receiving, grading, packing, storage, and dispatching fresh produce.
• Plan and manage packing schedules in line with harvest volumes and delivery requirements.
• Ensure efficient workflow, labour utilisation, and use of equipment.
• Monitor productivity and implement improvements where necessary.
• Ensure produce meets market and customer specifications.

 Quality Control, Food Safety & Traceability

• Implement and maintain quality control systems throughout the packing process.
• Ensure strict hygiene and sanitation standards are adhered to.
• Maintain full product traceability from field to dispatch.
• Capture and verify accurate labour and batch data as part of the traceability system.
• Manage non-conformances, corrective actions, and customer complaints.

 GlobalG.A.P. Implementation & Compliance

• Assist with the implementation, maintenance, and continuous improvement of GlobalG.A.P. systems and procedures.
• Ensure pack house compliance with GlobalG.A.P. standards, food safety, and audit requirements.
• Maintain accurate documentation and records required for certification.
• Conduct internal inspections and assist with internal and external audits.
• Address audit findings and corrective actions timeously.

Digital Systems

• Be technically competent and confident using digital systems.
• Use the farm’s online labour management system (Agrigistics) to record attendance, labour hours, work activities, and traceability-linked records.
• Ensure electronic records are accurate, complete, and audit-ready.
• Generate reports to support operational decision-making and compliance.

Staff Management & Training

• Supervise pack house supervisors, team leaders, and general staff.
• Manage staff attendance, discipline, and performance.
• Train staff on packing standards, hygiene, food safety, GlobalG.A.P., and system usage.
• Foster a positive, disciplined, and productive working environment.

Health & Safety

• Ensure compliance with Occupational Health & Safety regulations.
• Identify hazards and implement corrective actions.
• Ensure correct use of PPE and safe operation of machinery.
• Report and investigate incidents or near misses.

Stock, Equipment & Resource Management

• Manage packaging materials, consumables, and cleaning chemicals.
• Monitor stock levels and coordinate timely ordering.
• Ensure pack house equipment and facilities are maintained and clean.
• Report faults and coordinate repairs.

Administration & Reporting

• Maintain accurate production, quality, labour, and traceability records.
• Compile daily, weekly, and monthly reports.
• Communicate operational updates and challenges to management.
• Ensure all documentation is properly filed and stored according to GlobalG.A.P. requirements.