Blueberry Farm Manager | Large Scale Berry Operation
Kerry Kopp Recruitment Specialists · South Africa
Overview
A large scale blueberry farming operation is looking for an experienced Farm Manager to run the day to day operations. You will lead field teams, manage production planning, irrigation, crop protection and cost control while driving regenerative farming practices. This is a hands on role for someone with at least 5 years of berry production management experience who wants to make a real impact on a growing operation.
About the role
This is a senior management role on a large scale berry farm focused primarily on blueberry production. The operation values operational efficiency, continuous improvement and regenerative farming, and you will be at the centre of making that happen.
You will take full responsibility for the day to day management of the farming operation. That means planning and coordinating operations across the production cycle, overseeing irrigation, fertigation, crop protection and pruning, and working closely with external agronomy consultants. You will lead and organise field teams, manage machinery and infrastructure, control operational costs against budget, and ensure accurate recording of farm activities and key performance indicators. You will also lead regenerative practices such as compost production, compost tea and organic matter management, and make sure the farm stays compliant with quality, health and safety, and certification requirements.
Reporting regularly to management on performance, progress, risks and deviations from plan will be part of your routine, along with identifying operational issues and implementing corrective actions.
Requirements
- Degree in Agronomy, Agricultural Engineering or a related field
- Minimum 5 years of proven farm management experience in berry production
- Strong track record in managing field teams and agricultural operations
- Strong technical knowledge of irrigation, fertigation, crop protection and crop management
- Experience in regenerative agriculture, composting and organic matter management would be an advantage
- Strong planning, cost control, decision making and problem solving skills
- Hands on, autonomous and results driven
- Experience with farm management platforms
- Good written and spoken English
Responsibilities
- Plan, coordinate and deliver all farming operations throughout the production cycle
- Oversee irrigation, fertigation, crop protection, pruning and other crop management activities, working closely with external agronomy consultants
- Lead and organise field teams to ensure effective execution, productivity and accountability
- Manage machinery, infrastructure, consumables and other farm resources
- Manage operational costs against budget, identify deviations and control purchasing requirements
- Ensure accurate recording of farm activities and monitoring of key operational and production KPIs
- Lead regenerative farming practices, including compost production and application, compost tea and organic matter management
- Ensure compliance with quality, health and safety and certification requirements
- Identify operational issues and implement corrective actions
- Report regularly to management on performance, progress, risks and deviations from plan
Job details
- Organisation
- Kerry Kopp Recruitment Specialists
- Location
- South Africa
- Job type
- Full time
- Experience level
- Mid (5+ years)
- Education
- Bachelor
- Category
- Agriculture & Farming
- Application Method
- Apply manually
Success Guide
This is a great role if you have solid berry farming experience and want to step into a management position with real responsibility. When you apply, really highlight your hands on experience with blueberries or other berries, especially anything around irrigation and crop protection. The team is looking for someone who can lead people and control costs, so share examples of how you have managed a team and stayed on budget. If you have experience with regenerative farming or composting, definitely mention it, even if it is not your main strength. Since this is a management role, showing that you can plan ahead and solve problems will set you apart. Make sure your CV clearly states your degree and how many years you have worked in berry production. Good luck!
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