RESPONSIBILITIES
Seed Store & Planning Coordination
- Collect seed from the seed store and arrange as indicated on the planting lists as prepared by Production/Breeders.
- Ensure correct numbering of seed as indicated on the planting lists.
- Applies to all production, breeding and screening programmes, including grow-out evaluations, disease screening trials, and trials at different locations.
Operations (Tray Preparation & Germination)
- Ensure correct filling of trays with the required growing medium.
- Supervise proper labelling of trays.
- Supervise correct sowing of seeds.
- Ensure optimal germination conditions.
- Responsible for watering and feeding of seedlings.
- Receiving new bee hives.
- Data capture on Excel and Phenotop (simple input systems, the pages/processes has already been developed and they only need to add data to the system).
Seedling Health & Monitoring
- Responsible for scouting and reporting insect infestations and disease symptoms on seedlings.
- Report issues promptly to the Breeder.
Field Preparation & Establishment
- Measure land space and prepare land/beds with irrigation.
- Oversee building of tunnels and onion cages.
- Plant and record specific seed or seedlings at the correct time in rows specified by the Farm Manager/Breeder.
- Assist with planting to ensure accuracy and proper documentation.
Crop Maintenance & Field Management
- Monitor and control weeds during the plant growth cycle.
- Assist with fertilisation and irrigation.
- Supervise trellising and maintenance of plants.
- Scout for insect infestations during the growth cycle.
- Monitor and report plant health to the Farm Manager.
Plant Selection & Quality Control
- Perform de-rouging of off-type plants across all segments.
Pollination & Breeding Support
- Execute hand pollinations accurately, recognising their critical importance in the breeding programme.
- Ensure all pollinations are properly executed.
- Coordinate resources effectively for successful pollination.
- Responsible for all selfings and assist with hybridisation between lines.
Harvesting & Seed Processing
- Conduct fermenting, washing, drying and chemical treatment of seed.
- Sort and compile lists of all harvested seed.
- Arrange seed in an organised and hygienic manner in the seed store.
Research & Disease Screening
- Maintain pure virus cultures used for resistance screening.
- Prevent contamination or loss of cultures.
- Prepare inoculum and conduct inoculation processes.
- Report on issues in the field (diseases etc).
Staff Management
- Supervise the field staff (but also able {physically} to assist if needed).
- Use their drivers license to assist with seedling transport (George to Oudtshoorn, Radical seedlings to the Kouebokkeveld).
- Use their drivers license to assist with transport on the Oudtshoorn station (my field are not close to each other, we do not have our own storage facilities {few and far between} – for bulb harvest, seed harvest, bulb transport, umbel transport, fiels irrigation prep etc}.)
REQUIREMENTS
Qualification:
- Grade 12 National Senior Certificate (essential)
- Tertiary Qualification (preferential)
- Driver License Code 8
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RESPONSIBILITIES:
Facility Maintenance & Hygiene
- General hygiene, appearance and tidiness around all tunnel structures including roads, lawn and fences.
Monitor, maintain and service:
- Greenhouse structures
- Pump room and fertigation systems
- Wet walls
- Fresh water supply
- Spraying equipment
- Heating equipment (Boiler)
- Weather station (with long term record keeping)
Climate Control Management
Program/adjust seasonal/daily settings influencing climate control with regards to:
- Day length
- Cooling
- Heating
- Ventilation
- Radiation
Breeding & Production Support
- Working closely with breeders to determine ideal growing conditions with regards to breeding requirements (manipulating plants for optimum pollination and seed production) and screening conditions (representative of commercial practices).
Plant Health Monitoring & Management
Monitor general plant appearance throughout the day with regard to the below. Apply corrective measures on a continuous basis:
- Wilting/heat stress
- Nutritional abnormalities
- Chemical burn
- Physiological abnormalities
- Physical damage
Fertigation & Nutritional Management
- Programming of fertigation system according to fertilizer recommendation based on commercial practices.
- Consulting with fertilizer/nutrition expert on a monthly basis to prevent and eliminate potential problems before they arise.
- Monitoring of EC, pH and run-off figures on a daily basis with appropriate record keeping and reporting.
- Be confident in changing fertigation programmes after consultation with breeder and fertilizer expert.
- Identify and solve nutritional deficiencies/toxicities.
- Recommendation regarding adjustment in growing medium composition.
- Taking of leaf samples and interpret analysis in collaboration with nutritional expert and adjust fertigation programme accordingly.
Pest & Disease Control
- Sanitise and disinfect facility on a daily/seasonal basis.
- Ensure availability and correct application of sanitiser, gloves, boots & coats to prevent spreading of disease.
- Scouting for pest and disease on a daily basis.
- Recommendation of spraying programmes after consultation with internal and external experts.
- Monitoring efficiency of spray recommendations resulting in the necessary adjustments.
Staff Supervision & Health & Safety
Hiring and management of staff/labour with regard to:
- Assigning work schedules
- Spraying responsibilities
- Pump room and fertigation activities
- General greenhouse activities
- Health and safety protocols with special reference to hazardous chemicals
- Training of staff with regards to the above.
Requirements
REQUIREMENTS:
Qualification:
- Tertiary qualification in Horticulture (essential) (knowledge in agronomy and pathology will be an advantage)
Experience:
- Minimum 3–5 years’ experience in tunnel or protected environment crop production
- Minimum 2–3 years’ experience managing tunnel operations, including planting schedules, crop cycles, and harvest planning
- Demonstrated experience managing teams of 5–20+ staff, including scheduling, supervision, and basic labour relations
- Proven experience in tunnel or protected environment crop production
- Experience managing full tunnel operations, including planting schedules, crop cycles, and harvest planning
- Experience supervising and managing a production team, including workforce scheduling, performance management, and basic labour relations
- Hands-on experience with irrigation systems, fertigation programmes, and climate control equipment within a tunnel environment
- Experience implementing pest and disease management programmes in a protected growing environment
- Experience maintaining accurate production records, including yields, input usage, crop performance, and forward planning schedules
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RESPONSIBILITIES:
Technical support to dealers
- Provide timely and accurate technical assistance to dealers, including troubleshooting product issues, diagnosing faults, and guiding repairs.
- Act as the first point of contact for escalated technical queries to ensure minimal downtime for customers.
- Support warranty claims by verifying product concerns and ensuring compliance with company policies.
- Maintain strong relationships with dealers through regular follow-ups and proactive support.
Spare parts marketing
- Promote genuine Jupidex spare parts through targeted awareness campaigns and dealer marketing support.
- Engage farmer study groups and host customer clinics to reinforce correct product use, maintenance, and safety.
- Guide dealers on inventory planning to ensure fast-moving and critical parts are always available.
- Collaborate with the sales team to align parts promotions with overall product sales objectives.
Training to Dealer and Jupidex personnel
- Design and deliver structured training programs on product knowledge, technical servicing, and best operating practices.
- Facilitate both theoretical and practical sessions to strengthen skills, confidence, and competence.
- Measure training effectiveness through assessments, feedback, and follow-up support.
- Continuously update training content to reflect the latest technical developments and product innovations.
Product demonstrations and farmers days
- Represent Jupidex at farmer days, product demonstrations, and industry events.
- Prepare machines and materials to effectively showcase product features and benefits.
- Engage directly with farmers to address technical questions, gather feedback, and strengthen relationships.
- Collaborate with the sales and marketing teams to maximize exposure and lead generation from events.
Commissioning new machines.
- Support dealers during commissioning to build their capacity & strengthen customer confidence.
- Address customer concerns promptly and complete accurate handover documentation.
- Oversee installation, setup, and testing to ensure machines perform optimally before handover.
- Provide training to dealers and customers on correct operation, maintenance and safety.
REQUIREMENTS:
Qualification:
- Min: Post-Matric Certificate/Diploma.
- Ideal: Degree in agriculture/business/marketing or a related field.
Experience:
- High level of product application knowledge: 3-5 years’ experience.
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