A new position has become available for a junior Farm Manager in the Overberg area.  You will be responsible for overseeing the production and overall operations of a Kiwi farm.

Requirements:

• Proficient in English
• Diploma/Degree in Agriculture
• Background in fruit farming with a minimum of 4 years’ managing in production operations
• Experience supervising and training production teams
• Strong knowledge of fruit farming techniques, equipment, and regulations
• Ability to manage budgets and operations
• Skilled in Excel, Word, Power Point
• Knowledge of Irrigation Systems, Netafim Fertigation Programmes, Irrigator Control Systems
• Good understanding of required export quality standards
• Willing to work irregular and long hours unique to the Kiwi season
• General business acumen
• High capacity to represent the business / ability to multitask
• Experience with Phytclean records and Global Gap 
Responsibilities:
1. Develop and manage the production plan for the Kiwi farm
2. Irrigation: Scheduling and implementation of the irrigation according to the seasonal needs of the orchards. Probes and weather predictions form part of the scheduling model
3. Fertigation/Fertilizer Applications: The implementation of the fertilizer programme as required and prescribed. To observe and react to any visual deficiency symptoms shown by the trees
4. Labour: The management of the labour force in accordance with requirements by law as well as the prescribed standards of the company and for the health and safety of employees.  It would also mean identifying suitable seasonal/contract labour for picking, pruning and any other tasks that require their input
5. Pest Control: Implementation of the spray programme which will be prescribed after numerous and continuous group discussions pre and during the spray season
6. Management of the infrastructure, buildings, vehicles, machinery, implements and equipment on the entire estate
7. Supervise and train production staff (improve the skill set) in activities such as planting, fertilizing, pruning, spraying, harvesting and quality
8. Participation in regular meetings and technical discussions.
9. Ensure that all Kiwi production activities are carried out in accordance with safety and environmental regulations
10. Monitor and evaluate the performance of the production team and work closely with them to improve efficiency and productivity
11. Ensure accurate records are kept, including crop yields, labour costs and crop inventory, Phytclean records, Global Gap 
12. Develop and maintain relationships with suppliers, customers, and agricultural officials
13. Budget and cost controls.  Keep within the norms of the agreed upon budgets

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.
 
*** In the meantime, please download our EBOOK which will hopefully help you understand our process and how we work.
 
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.