SCOPE:

161 hectares under company ownership across three farms, plus grower network of approximately 10–15 external farmers supplying fruit to the company

JOB PURPOSE:

This is fundamentally a farming leadership role. The primary mandate is to lead the production of the company’s own citrus farming operations across 161 hectares in two South African regions, ensuring consistent yields, top-tier fruit quality, and full compliance with export market standards.

From that established farming credibility, the role extends into grower development: advising and supporting a network of external growers whose fruit is procured by the company. The logic of the role is that credibility earned as a farmer creates the trust that secures grower loyalty. This is not a fruit-buying role with agronomic knowledge attached — it is an agronomic leadership role from which strong grower relationships naturally follow.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

Farming Operations (Primary Focus)

  • Lead the day-to-day production of the company’s three company-owned farms: 41 ha in Piketberg (Western Cape) and 120 ha in Sundays River Valley (Eastern Cape) across two separate farms.
  • Set the annual production plan for each farm: crop cycles, irrigation, nutrition, pest and disease management, pruning and thinning schedules, and harvest timing.
  • Monitor crop development, quality parameters, and yields through the season; implement corrective actions where required.
  • Ensure all farming decisions are optimized against the requirements of the company’s  target export markets.
  • Maintain accurate production, cost, and farm management records across all three farms.

Team Leadership

  • Lead, develop, and hold accountable three Farm Managers (one per farm).
  • Set clear operational and quality targets for each Farm Manager and review performance regularly.
  • Build technical capability across the Farm Managers and general workers through coaching, in-field mentoring, and structured training.
  • Ensure safe, productive, and ethically compliant working environments across all farms.

Grower Development & Fruit Procurement

  • Build and maintain trusted advisory relationships with approximately 10–15 external growers whose fruit is procured by the company
  • Visit each grower on a scheduled cadence during the season to assess orchard condition, harvest readiness, and quality parameters.
  • Verify grower certifications (GlobalG.A.P., SIZA, and other required standards) are current and in good standing.
  • Monitor and review grower spray programs to ensure compliance with the Maximum Residue Limits (MRLs) of all target export markets.
  • Provide technical guidance to growers on crop protection, harvest timing, and orchard management practices.
  • Advise growers on harvest decisions — which fruit should be picked and packed, which sorted, and which left in the field — based on quality standards and market requirements.
  • Communicate market and program requirements clearly to growers so their fruit meets the company’s commercial commitments.

Compliance & Standards

  • Ensure full compliance across all company farming operations and grower supply with food safety, quality assurance, MRL, environmental, and health & safety standards.
  • Coordinate audits and inspections; ensure corrective actions are implemented promptly and permanently.

Cross-functional Coordination

  • Coordinate closely with the Packing Manager to align harvest timing with packhouse schedules across all sites.
  • Supply timely and accurate information to the commercial team on quality, size distribution, and yield forecasts from both company farms and grower supply.
  • Work with Quality Assurance and Logistics teams to ensure integrated flow from field to customer.

KEY PERFORMANCE INDICATORS (KPIS)

  • Yield per hectare on company farms vs. regional benchmarks.
  • Fruit quality metrics: percentage of Class 1 export-quality fruit produced across company farms and grower supply.
  • MRL compliance rate across grower network (target: 100%).
  • On-time harvest execution against packing schedules.
  • Grower retention rate season-over-season.
  • New grower onboarding: number and volume of new supplier relationships secured.
  • Cost per hectare and cost per carton produced (company farms).

QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE

  • Bachelor’s degree or diploma in Agriculture, Horticulture, Agronomy, or a related discipline.
  • Minimum 3-5 years’ experience in commercial citrus (or comparable perennial fruit) farming, with at least 3 years in a leadership or management role over multiple farms or a large single operation.
  • Demonstrated track record managing farming operations across multiple sites, ideally in different regions.
  • Strong technical knowledge of citrus production, integrated pest management, MRL requirements, and export market quality standards.
  • Prior experience working with or advising external growers is an advantage.

SKILLS & COMPETENCIES

  • Deep, hands-on knowledge of citrus (or comparable perennial fruit) production.
  • Ability to earn credibility and trust with experienced growers through technical expertise and practical judgment.
  • Strong planning, organization, and decision-making skills under pressure.
  • Leadership and coaching skills to develop Farm Managers and their teams.
  • Excellent communication and relationship management skills.
  • Comfortable with regular travel between the Western Cape and Eastern Cape.
  • Analytical mindset with the ability to interpret production, quality, and financial data.
  • Proficiency in Microsoft Office and farm management systems.

Email CV in WORD format: cvs@agricruitment.co.za