Grabouw: Production Manager – Kiwi Fruit

About the Role

The Production Manager role at our client’s Kiwi farm in Grabouw, Western Cape, is a dynamic and challenging position that requires a strong leader to oversee the production and operations of the farm. The successful candidate will be responsible for providing leadership to the team and ensuring all goals are met in a timely and efficient manner.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and manage the production plan for the Kiwi farm.
• Scheduling and implementation of irrigation according to the seasonal needs of the orchards, incorporating probes and weather predictions.
• Implementation of the fertilizer programme as required and prescribed, observing and reacting to any visual deficiency symptoms shown by the trees.
• Management of the labour force in accordance with requirements by law and company standards, identifying suitable seasonal/contract labour for tasks such as picking, pruning, and harvesting.
• Implementation of the spray programme, prescribing it after group discussions pre and during the spray season.
• Supervise and train production staff to improve skill sets in activities like planting, fertilizing, pruning, spraying, and harvesting.
• Participate in regular meetings and technical discussions with the management team.
• Ensure all Kiwi production activities are carried out in accordance with safety and environmental regulations.
• Monitor and evaluate the performance of the production team, improving efficiency and productivity.
• Keep accurate records, including crop yields, labour costs, and crop inventory.
• Develop and maintain relationships with suppliers, customers, and agricultural officials.
• Manage budgets and cost controls, keeping within agreed-upon norms.

Requirements

• Proficient in a tertiary education (Bachelor’s degree in agriculture or Elsenburg Diploma in a related field) is required.
• Background in fruit farming with at least 4 years of experience managing production operations is necessary.
• Strong knowledge of fruit farming techniques, equipment, and regulations is essential.
• Ability to manage budgets and operations efficiently, as well as strong analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.

Qualifications

• A tertiary education (Bachelor’s degree in agriculture or Elsenburg Diploma in a related field) is preferred.

Salary & Benefits

• Competitive salary of -R40K CTC per month (depending on experience)
• Housing, profit sharing, and other benefits are offered.