Job Description

Citrus Production Manager - Eastern CapeAn international citrus company is seeking a Production Manager to oversee their Citrus Farming operations of around 1000ha in the Eastern Cape.Reporting to the Managing Director/CEO and forming part of the executive leadership team, the Production Manager will lead the farming operation and be responsible for producing good quality fruit by applying sustainable citrus farming standards and leveraging category wide best practices across all farms.Key Accountabilities and Responsibilities:This individual will be responsible for profitability, cost management, return on capital investments, crop management, people management and equipment management by successfully mastering all the actions below:Maximise return per hectare by increasing production of good quality fruit in a sustainable mannerCoordinate and prepare recommendations on capital investments prioritising return on investment and monitor performance of return on capitalManage process of new developments and replanting from planning to executionDevelop and maintain agronomic and technical programs and management strategies that provide the requirements to grow fruit and ensure maximum yields are achieved, without compromising optimum quality and sizeImplement process to ensure detail is provided to each farm regarding irrigation & drainage monitoring programs, spraying programs, fruit growth, quality assessment, crop estimation activities, harvest programs, canopy management, labour allocation, and maintenance programsDevelop and manage a plan for the harvest of fruit balancing market demands, resources, and fruit readinessWork hand in hand with commercial and packing to ensure that customer programs and requirements are metManage the preparation of budgets, harvest estimates and associated reporting in detail and apply updates and changes to forecasts on a regular basisReview and report weekly and monthly income and expenses, harvest volume and crop estimates and providing analysis on relevant deviationsPerform regular analysis of orchard performance and create detailed improvement plansCreate a cost-conscious environment and improve efficiencies through continuous improvement and innovationReview and approve purchases exceeding a certain valueEstablish relationships with third party growers and provide technical knowledge needed to ensure that they produce a crop that will deliver maximum yields that are at the standards required by customersSet leadership standards and conduct staff appraisals and performance managementIdentify training & development requirements for key positionsDevelop and initiate research and development projects and monitoring progress in conjunction with the Technical ManagerDevelop and direct corrective activities where required with the objective of ensuing all safety, sustainability and operating plan requirements can continue to be achievedEnsure all farms and contractors comply with HSE policies and procedures, including the maintenance for a safe and healthy workplace for the protection off all employeesEnsure that the maintenance programs for all facilities and equipment are in place and executed withing budget and required standardsOther duties as requiredKey Requirements:A relevant degree in agriculture with a minimum of 5 yearsxe2x80x99 experience at senior management level whilst leading a teamA minimum of 5 yearsxe2x80x99 citrus farming experienceResponsibility for at least 500 hectares of citrus (including all aspects of management xe2x80x93 people, capex, maintenance, quality, environmental, irrigation, fertilisers, chemicals, etc.)Must be excellent communicator and able to speak and write English and Afrikaans fluentlyComputer literate with sound skills in MS OfficeAbility to build and maintain relationships internal and external of the organizationBy Submitting your information and application you hereby confirm:That you have read and understood our Privacy Policy (www.hopcal.co.za).That you give us permission to retain your personal information in our database for future matching to employment opportunities.Should suitable opportunities arise we will contact you and request your consent to submit your CV to a specific client for a specific purpose.That the information you have provided to us is true, correct and up to date.Please ENSURE that your application includes the following:a comprehensive Curriculum Vitae, inclusive of contact and email informationa covering letter motivating the applicationan indication of current and expected remunerationavailabilitycontactable refereesIf you have not heard from us within 4 weeks of the closing date, please accept that your application was not successful. Only short-listed candidates will be contacted.

JTJ Group