Finance & Accounting Advisory Board Member

RedEmber Recruitment is seeking to hire the Head of Agriculture for our client based in Tzaneen.

Production and Growth Strategy Development:

1. Development and implementation of Five (5) year growth and expansion strategy / plan.
2. Technical Evaluation of all orchards soils and tree health use of AGES and Aerobotics.
3. Collaborate with internal and external stakeholders to build a positive company image.
4. Conducting industry benchmarks on cost technology and people trends.

Financial & Business Management:

1. Collaborate and participate in setting up budgets, monitoring, allocating resources, reviewing and making midyear adjustments.
2. Prepare monthly and/or project finance reports for management to provide insight into the company.
3. Contribute to the business profitability by managing people and resources to establish and accomplish business objectives.

People Management:

1. Instill discipline within the management and labor force.
2. Setting performance agreements, managing subordinates, coaching and mentoring the team.
3. Developing successors for critical positions.
4. Create a healthy labour relations environment through continuous employee engagement.

Health & Safety:

1. Accept and execute 16(2) and GMR2(1) Role and Responsibilities.
2. Management and implementation of HSMS.
3. Drive Hazard identification and development Risk Assessments for all operations.
4. Support and achieve maintenance ISO45001 Accreditation in South African Production Units.

Capital Projects:

1. Conduct and compile feasibility studies for new projects and/or development.
2. Engagement with internal operations managers for requirements.
3. Technical Review and Approval of capital projects (Capex Requests).
4. Setup Budget Capex request and execute project timeously and within budget.
5. Constant performance evaluation of farming practices/activities.
6. Develop and implement process flows for all activities.
7. Communicating water use entitlements to various operations managers.
8. Measuring water usage and reporting for both management and compliance purposes.
9. Improve yield by 5% in 2024 season.
10. Work with the newly established Continuous improvement department.

Corporate Governance Risk and Compliance:

1. Ensure that statutory obligations under the auspices of Farming and tree/fruit production management are prepared and maintained including but not limited to Dam safety, building registration, EIA, Water Rights, Roads transport, electricity supply and use etc.
2. Enforce ethical business practices and exercise oversight to ensure compliance with corporate governance ethical and responsible behavior as per the policies.
3. Create an inclusive culture.

Operational Activities:

1. Develop and implement a picking management system and reporting.
2. Develop and implement a pruning management system and reporting.
3. Pest and Disease monitoring and control.
4. Warehouse management and stock control.

Accreditation Management:

1. Ensure compliance for all relevant accreditations including legal aspects regarding water rights and Health and Safety regulations.
2. Current audits include GlobalGAP, Nurtures (Tesco), Albert Heijn, Farming for the Future, Waitrose, SIZA, Fairtrade and other assessment audits.
3. Managing the audit process from booking audits to internal audits and overseeing the audit itself.
4. Coordinating any audit related activities which may come up during the year.

Requirements

Education:

Degree in the Agricultural sciences or other relevant fields. Postgraduate qualification will be advantageous.

Experience:

At least 10-15 years experience in a packhouse operational environment preferably agriculture. At least 5 years experience in 16(2) role or similar roles on Health and Safety.

Knowledge & Skills:

1. Technically years to manage an export subtropical fruit business.
2. Good people management skills across all levels of the business.
3. Detailed knowledge of external accreditation requirements for local and export markets.
4. Financial planning and control.
5. Knowledge of the legal framework for farming operations across Africa.
6. High level of computer literacy.
7. Integrity, passion for work, excellence and success.
8. Excellent communicator with attention to detail.
9. Business acumen with analytical problem-solving ability.
10. Results-driven team player.
11. Ability to work under constant pressure.
12. Self-starter and ability to work independently and as part of a team.