About the VKB Group:

The VKB Group is an agricultural company, providing support to farmers and producing straight-from-the farm-foods for consumers. Apart from the various consumer brands, the VKB Group is also represented by its regional brands: VKB, GWK and NTK. Our roots are firmly planted in agriculture with farming at our core, continuously growing and evolving throughout the years.

Starting with providing everything needed on the farm to produce food, we now also operate in all areas of the food supply chain: processing, logistics, and national and global market channels.

This “house of brands” we’ve established with the support of our farmer shareholders is the foundation for building the agribusiness of the future.

About Crown Bag

Crown Bag's factory in Harrismith in the Free State produces packaging material. The factory comprises of several potato bag lines (flat bags and gusset bags), an exclusive line for charcoal bags and a multi-purpose line for charcoal, food and flour bags.
The plant’s central location ensures accessibility to the main routes to all provinces in South Africa. This convenient connection between the respective provinces ensures the economical and efficient distribution of potato and charcoal bags to commercial farmers and other clients in South Africa, neighboring countries and Europe.

Since quality is a priority for Crown Bag, these bags are all manufactured to the highest specifications as required by the Department of Agriculture, Forests and Fisheries.

Crown Bag supplies products all over South Africa. The factory has the capacity to produce more than nine million bags per month. Clients can choose between unprinted bags and bags with their own branding, as well as other information that can be printed in up to six colours. External designers can help clients with this and hereby ensures that they get a custom-made quality product that adds further value for the consumer.

The scale benefits that result from the capacity of the factory, ensures cost-effective procurement of raw materials and not only ensures Crown Bag’s competitive position in the market but also adds to a decrease in input costs for producers.

About Harrismith

Harrismith is strategically located on one of South Africa’s busiest transport corridors, connecting Johannesburg and Durban. This makes it an ideal base for manufacturing and distribution. Beyond business, Harrismith offers a strong sense of community, a balanced lifestyle, and access to the natural beauty of the Eastern Free State—a place where both career and quality of life thrive.

The Opportunity

We are looking for a hands-on, commercially driven General Manager who will take full accountability for the performance, profitability, and strategic direction of the business, ensuring Crown Bag remains competitive, innovative, and aligned with VKB Group objectives.

You will operate at both strategic and operational level, driving results through people, systems, and strong market understanding.

Key Responsibilities

• Define and execute a clear growth and profitability strategy for Crown Bag
• Take full ownership of financial performance, including budgets, margins, and cost control
• Lead and optimise sales, production, and supply chain operations
• Build a high-performance team culture aligned to VKB values
• Strengthen and expand customer and supplier relationships
• Identify and implement efficiency improvements and innovation opportunities
• Ensure risk, compliance, and governance standards are consistently met, in collaboration with the Health and Safety team
• Provide clear, data-driven reporting and insights to senior leadership

Minimum Requirements

• A relevant tertiary qualification in Business, Engineering, Operations, Supply Chain, Finance, or a related field.
• Manufacturing and Packaging industry experience will be advantageous
  
• Proven track record in managing a profitable business or business unit
• Strong background in sales, operations, and stock management
• Experience leading teams and managing the full Human Capital function
• Advanced computer literacy (MS Office)
• Willing to travel nationally

What Sets You Apart

• You think like an owner, not an employee
• You are commercially sharp and understand margins, cost drivers, and growth levers
• You are decisive and action-oriented, with the ability to execute
• You build strong, trust-based relationships internally and externally
• You are comfortable operating in a dynamic, performance-driven environment

VKB Values – What we expect

You embody the VKB Group values:

• Humble – You lead with integrity, respect, and a willingness to learn
• Hungry – You are driven to achieve results and continuously improve
• Smart – You make sound decisions and understand people and business dynamics
• Bold – You take initiative, embrace challenges, and drive innovation
• Team Player – You collaborate, build strong relationships, and uplift those around you

Why Join the VKB Group?

This is an opportunity to lead a strategically important business within a growing agribusiness group. You’ll have the autonomy to make decisions, the backing of a strong organisation, and the ability to make a real commercial impact.

OTHER INFORMATION

The company can expire jobs at any time at their own discretion.

VKB Group and/or its subsidiary companies will use any personal data collected through the job opportunities section of this website for recruitment purposes only and, should your application be successful, for purposes connected with your employment.

VKB Group is an equal opportunity employer. VKB Group’s approved Employment Equity Plan and Targets will be considered as part of the recruitment process aligned to VKB Group’s Employment Equity & Transformation Strategy. VKB Group actively supports the recruitment of People with Disabilities.

Things to take note of when applying through our Career Portal.

Use Google Chrome when accessing the portal

Clear copy of your CV in either PDF or Word

The CV should not have handwriting on the document

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