South Africa: AVOCADO ORCHARD MANAGER posted by Farm Manager SA

• 2 years’ management experience in a horticultural field
• Educated to degree level in relevant field, with 1-2 years’ experience in similar role – BSc in Horticulture or a related field
• Attention to detail
• Client, quality and results oriented
• Computer literate
• Fluent in spoken and written English
• Outstanding organizational and time-management skills
• Ability to work independently with outstanding team spirit

 
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
 
Nursery Management

• Oversee and ensure general upkeep and maintenance of the nursery compound and infrastructure within.
• Ensure that the nursery, operations are provided with all the necessary equipment for their smooth and efficient operation.
• Oversee and coordinate land and medium preparation, potting, planting, and Scion grafting activities to ensure optimal output.
• Ensure management of seedling health in the nursery.
• Ensure that the quantity and quality of seedlings are produced to meet the requirements.
• Ensure that all plant husbandries including spray programs within the scope of the nursery are performed to the highest standard.
• Oversee and ensure management of inventories and logistics up to and including utilization, management, and maintenance of the orchard irrigation system.
• Source Avocado fruits from the market for planting seed for grafting.
• Responsible for sourcing of Avocado scions for grafting.
• Plan and forecast Avocado seedling grafting and delivery as per the seasonal demands.
• Maintain constant dialogue with the Clients concerned as to their seedling requirements.
• Coming up with innovative ideas, techniques, and methodologies to promote optimal quality output

People Management

• Ensure that all labour in the section is effective and efficient and that all staff achieves the recommended daily tasks.
• Maintain staff discipline and welfare in accordance with the company policy.
• Train staff in best practices for planting, grafting, crop maintenance and hygiene, pest and disease management and all other practices required from time to time.
• Manage and work within asset budget.
• Ensure safe working conditions

Audits/ standards

• Ensure the nursery operations adhere to customer standards (as per audit guidelines)
• Ensure the nursery operations adhere to Nema and agricultural standards (as per audit guidelines)
• Handle and address any deviation on standards (customer responses)

Record keeping

• Ensure that various team leaders, scouts and supervisors keep accurate records of all operations carried out in the section.
• Maintain Irrigation/Fertigation records, spray schedule and records of sowing, grafting and deliveries of seedlings.

 
 
ONLY short-listed candidates will be contacted