We are recruiting a Head of Farming Operations with solid grapes and citrus experience. This role carries responsibility for steering the fruit production strategy across our local farming operations, ensuring that fruit is produced, sourced and delivered in line with commercial demand, quality expectations and regulatory frameworks.

Minimum Requirements:

1. Bachelor’s degree in Agriculture / Business / Management (postgraduate qualification advantageous)
2. 10–15 years’ experience in citrus and/or table grape industries, covering both operational production and quality requirements
3. Extensive experience in grower relations and stakeholder engagement
4. Strong background in production forecasting and volume planning
5. Proven experience in leading teams, managing operations and driving financial performance
6. Proficient in relevant systems and tools

 Core competencies

• Strategic planning and commercial thinking
• Data-driven decision making
• Excellent interpersonal, communication and stakeholder management capability
• Resilience, sound judgement and ability to operate under pressure
• Ability to represent and build the brand credibly
• Excellent command of English

 
Duties and Responsibilities:

• Lead and set the strategic direction for production, and ensure the function supports commercial objectives (including budgeting, forecasting and marketing needs)
• Oversee fruit production performance and drive continuous improvement against local and export market quality standards
• Plan new plantings, replanting and orchard/vine development together with farm/area managers
• Optimise farming workflows, efficiency and production outcomes, and integrate innovation where relevant
• Develop and implement pest and disease control measures in line with legislative and regulatory requirements
• Maintain strong relationships with executives, production personnel, external growers, suppliers and other strategic stakeholders
• Build talent capacity and capability across all production teams
• Provide technical guidance on cultivar development and farm strategy
• Manage production budgets, analyse performance and utilise benchmarking tools to track outcomes
• Identify and evaluate new farm acquisition opportunities to support volume growth (including IRR and payback assessments)
• Maintain and update the 5-year production, replanting and pack-out plan (minimum twice annually)
• Prepare Capex business cases for farm projects such as netting and new developments

 
 
PLEASE NOTE:  Thank you for your interest in this position, we will review and be in touch if you are suitable.
 
Due to the amount of applications we receive for each position, we are unable to respond to each one individually. Please accept your application as unsuccessful if you had no feedback within 7 days of applying. Your CV will remain on our database and we will be in touch for other suitable positions.
 
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When applying, ensure your CV is in WORD or PDF format, and not scanned. Scanned CV’s will not be considered.  If you are unable to apply through the link we have provided, please upload your CV to our website http://www.istaffrecruitment.co.za/jobs.
 
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