Job Vacancies at McCain Foods

PURPOSE OF THE JOB:

As part of the Agricultural team, she or he is responsible for overseeing all Seed Farm operation.  In collaboration with the Farms Manager She/he is responsible to produce the certified quality potato seed at a competitive price the required volumes. This person must ensure that all farm management records are up to date and accurate and will be responsible for the training, recruitment and driving and maintain a safe working culture onsite.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Supervise all farming operations.
• Provide development and leadership support to direct reports in order to achieve departmental and employee objectives.
• Ensure farm activities and personnel comply with safety regulation.
• Ensure operational costs are kept within budget for monthly until financial year end.
• Drive Operations to ensure yield and quality specifications are met
• Ensure that all pesticide, fertilizer, rainfall, irrigation and diesel usage records are recorded and reported.
• Ensure that all other farm related records are recorded accordingly

go to method of application »

PURPOSE OF THE JOB:

The Technical Specialist will be responsible for enabling processes and drive efficiencies within our plants, Delmas and Springs, and will be instrumental in leading Lean Manufacturing, Cost Savings and Continuous Improvement initiatives while collaborating on capital projects and maintenance initiatives; requiring alignment to both Engineering/maintenance and Production teams. Additional support would include, but not limited to, Agriculture, Packaging and NPD.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Lead process optimization using statistical data. Including delivering design of experiments on the production line and the development of functional process control models.
• Investigate and implement new technologies for improved performance, quality and delivery.
• Lead the development and the achievement of the plant objectives across Safety Quality, Cost, Deliver, People and Environment (SQCDPE) operational framework.
• Leverage the McCain continuous improvement and Managing Daily Improvement (MDI) programs to instil lean manufacturing practices, tools and discipline to ensure plant competitiveness and sustainability.
• Collaborate with Agriculture on new cultivars and NPD on new products, specifically related to required technical knowledge/capability Leading and participating in audits for efficiency, safety, environmental, quality and food safety on a regular basis
• Engage with operators, Supervisors and Shift Managers on Line audits, equipment capability checks for optimized line performance and efficiency.
• Promote and support Best operating practices to align with global practices and procedures

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:

• Minimum is a Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering or related field
• At least 5 years relevant experience in a food production environment with experience in a similar role
• Proficient in the use of statistical methods, including Design of Experiments and Statistical Process Control
• Demonstrate the ability to work both independently and under immediate supervision, function effectively under time constraints and multi task based on the nature of the work.
• Have strong interpersonal and facilitation skills, along with excellent verbal and written English communication skills being essential.
• Technical and engineering aptitude

go to method of application »

PURPOSE OF THE JOB:

The Vegetable Procurement Manager is responsible for the planning and execution of vegetable production and procurement of raw material to provide the appropriate volumes of raw material to the processing plant, in accordance with the Integrated Business Plan (IBP), at the appropriate time, place, cost and quality.

KEY PERFORMANCE AREAS:

Implement and manage Vegetable Supply Strategy and plans to ensure assured supply to meet demand and production requirements.

• Implement and manage appropriate and effective short, medium and long term Vegetable Supply strategies to provide raw material at the appropriate time, quantity, cost and quality to the Processing

Grower / Farmer Management

• Implement a sustainable agriculture agenda, assessing on farm efficiency and cost of production, to drive and sustain continuous improvement
• Develop and grow farmer base and farmer relationships to ensure McCain Foods remains their preferred customer;
• Assist the McCain Extension officers with negotiation process with farmers;
• Ensure that Vegetable crops are planted and sourced in optimal areas (climate zones), at the volume (ton) rates the factory can process.
• Contract / source the required volumes and varieties of vegetables at the required price;
• Do buy-outs of additional raw vegetable as required.

Operational management of Extension officers and crop sampling staff

• The Extension Services Function is responsible for negotiating and contracting the required volume and quality of Raw Material to meet demand and production requirements
• Provide technical support to field officers and farmers.
• Manage / guide field sampling staff (pea TR machine operation, beans, sweetcorn, etc.).
• Manage / guide harvester field plans

Sustainable Cost Advantage (SCA) Develop and implement appropriate and effective SCA strategies and operational plans to:

• Support Improvement of crop yields and reduce costs of Growers, through advising on and implementing improved farming practices.
• Support Agronomy to provide New and Fit for Purpose vegetable varieties, resulting in increased yields and reduced costs;
• Reduce overhead costs without impairing the Function’s effectiveness
• Increase field yields through best farmer selection.

Compliance and Transformation

• Implementation and upkeep of McCain GAP (Good Agricultural Practice) Compliance with growers
• Ensure compliance to all regulatory requirements, relating to the contracting/procurement and production of raw material for the Processing Plant
• Ensure the appropriate Quality Assurance policies, procedures and systems are developed, implemented and adhered to by both Independent and own Growers (HACCP, ISO and Customer Specific audits, etc.).
• Promote and advance the compliance of McCain Foods to the appropriate Labour Legislation and BBBEE Codes

EDUCATIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Matric / Grade 12
• A Diploma/Degree in Agriculture (Crop Science)

EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS:

• Minimum 5 – 7 years proven agriculture procurement / extension service experience preferably in the vegetable industry.
• Minimum 2 years management experience in the agricultural procurement / production environment.
• Practical application of AVCASA, BASOS (FSSA) and irrigation scheduling
• Competent in Microsoft office, (Excel, Power Point & Word) and SAP
• Well experienced in price negotiations with growers

CERTIFICATES/LICENSES:

• Drivers’ license, AVCASA, BASOS (FSSA) , Irrigation Scheduling
• Valid Driver’s License

LEGAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Valid drivers’ license
• No criminal record

SKILLS & ABILITIES:

• Competent negotiator with excellent conflict handling – and networking skills
• Good understanding of vegetable crop production & costs as well as managing challenges with these crops
• Excellent communication skills
• Resilient person with an excellent ability to motivate self and the team under very difficult circumstances.
• Strong self-management and goal orientated person that can function well in a team.
• Participative leadership style with the ability to anticipate and drive change

go to method of application »

PURPOSE OF THE JOB:

As part of the Farm of the Future team, the Agronomy Assistant will be responsible for executing and marking all onsite farm trials.  He or She will collect data and samples, run trials and collect data on weather stations, irrigation, soil etc. providing agronomic support in all aspects of planning, execution and monitoring of the farm’s crops and record all data in databases.  The Agronomy Assistant will work closely with the Agronomist to make sure the crop is optimally managed and that the trials are smoothly implemented within the commercial farm operations.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Install on-farm trials
•  Collect on-farm data and samples
•  Record data in databases

REQUIREMENTS:

• Minimum is a Diploma/Degree in Agronomy/Crop Science/Plant Production
• Atleast 1-year experience  in a similar role.
• AVCASA training preferred
• Possession of a valid driver’s license and willing to travel extensively
• Knowledge and experience in executing on-farm trials
• Knowledge & experience in (irrigated) crop production. Potato growing experience preferred.
• Data collection, data processing
• Assist with on farm tasks as needed
• Computer literate (MS Office and statistical analysis software)
• Experience in operation irrigation systems preferred
• Farm Machinery Operation Skills preferred

go to method of application »

PURPOSE OF THE JOB:

As part of the Western Farms team, he or she is to make sure all field operations are executed safely and timeously. He/she is also responsible for leading a team of equipment operators and from time to time resolve equipment breakdowns as they happen. The incumbent is responsible for the deployment of On-farm Food and Sustainability program, do ‘Off-season’ maintenance and calibration in the workshop and record the input usage per field (fertilizer, pesticides, fuel etc…) in co-operation with the Farm Manager.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Supervise all farming operations.
• Drive On-Farm Food Safety & Sustainability programs
• Execute repair and maintenance on tractors and farm equipment including “Off Season” preventive maintenance
• Coordinate and enable H&S activities and ensure compliance by all personnel.

REQUIREMENTS:

• Minimum Grade 12 or equivalent
• Preference will be given to candidates with at least a in Agriculture
• At least 2 years farm supervision experience
• Valid Code EB Drivers license
• Suitable knowledge of crop production.
• Knowledge of GPS systems and electronic equipment controls
• Experience and skills in servicing, maintaining repairing and operating of farm machinery (specifically on auto- electrics and hydraulics).
• Candidate must be safety conscious and have good supervising skills and work well under pressure. .
• He or She must be able to execute jobs independent and have good communication skills
• Computer literate (MS Office)