A progressive small emerging farm is seeking to recruit a mature, dynamic, results-oriented, and hands-on Farm Manager to lead the operations and growth of an integrated farming enterprise. The successful candidate will be responsible for managing crop production (including maize, soybean, and other field crops), horticultural production, and a small beef cattle enterprise while driving productivity, profitability, and sustainable business growth.

Key Responsibilities

The successful candidate will be responsible for, but not limited to, the following:

• Provide overall leadership and day-to-day management of all farm operations.
• Develop and implement annual and seasonal production plans for crop, horticultural, and livestock enterprises.
• Plan, coordinate, and supervise land preparation, planting, crop husbandry, irrigation, harvesting, and post-harvest activities.
• Manage the horticultural enterprise to ensure continuous, year-round production and market supply.
• Oversee the beef cattle enterprise, including nutrition, breeding, health management, pasture management, manure management, growth performance, and record keeping.
• Supervise, train, motivate, and manage farm employees to achieve high performance and productivity.
• Ensure efficient utilisation, operation, and maintenance of tractors, farm machinery, implements, irrigation systems, and other farm assets.
• Prepare production budgets, monitor costs, and implement measures to improve operational efficiency.
• Maintain accurate farm records covering production, livestock performance, labour, machinery, inventories, and finances.
• Ensure compliance with health, safety, environmental, and biosecurity standards.
• Identify opportunities to improve productivity through innovation, mechanisation, and adoption of modern farming technologies.
• Work closely with management to develop strategies that ensure the farm becomes self-sustaining while delivering consistent year-on-year growth in profitability and return on investment (ROI).

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

Performance will be measured against, but not limited to, the following:

• Achievement of targeted crop yields and continuous improvement in productivity.
• Delivery of high-quality maize, soybean, horticultural, and other crop production.
• Consistent year-round horticultural production.
• Improved beef cattle health, reproduction, growth rates, and overall herd performance.
• Efficient utilisation and maintenance of labour, machinery, and farm resources.
• Effective cost management while improving operational efficiency.
• Accurate planning, budgeting, execution, and reporting of farm operations.
• Growth in farm profitability and positive year-on-year return on investment (ROI).
• Development of a financially self-sustaining farming business capable of generating sustainable cash flow and long-term value.

Qualifications and Experience

• Grade 12 School Certificate.
• The ideal candidate should possess a Diploma in General Agriculture or an equivalent qualification from a recognized institution.
• Minimum of five (5) years' hands-on experience managing farming enterprises involving crop production, horticulture, and livestock.
• Demonstrated practical experience in maize, soybean, horticultural crop production, and beef cattle management.
• Sound knowledge and hands-on experience in farm mechanisation, including the operation and maintenance of tractors, farm machinery, and agricultural implements.
• Practical knowledge of livestock nutrition, pasture management, manure management, and general animal husbandry.
• Strong planning, organisational, leadership, communication, and people management skills.
• Good financial, budgeting, and record-keeping skills.
• Mature, self-motivated, proactive, and able to work independently with minimum supervision.
• Must be willing and desirous to reside on the farm.
• Ability to drive a tractor and ride a motorcycle will be an added advantage.

What We Expect

The successful candidate will be expected to manage the farm as a business enterprise by continuously identifying opportunities to improve productivity, reduce costs, maximise profitability, and create sustainable value. The Farm Manager must demonstrate a strong sense of ownership and accountability, ensuring the small emerging farm becomes self-sustaining while consistently delivering year-on-year growth in productivity, profitability, and return on investment.

• Provide overall leadership and day-to-day management of all farm operations.
• Develop and implement annual and seasonal production plans for crop, horticultural, and livestock enterprises.
• Plan, coordinate, and supervise land preparation, planting, crop husbandry, irrigation, harvesting, and post-harvest activities.
• Manage the horticultural enterprise to ensure continuous, year-round production and market supply.
• Oversee the beef cattle enterprise, including nutrition, breeding, health management, pasture management, manure management, growth performance, and record keeping.
• Supervise, train, motivate, and manage farm employees to achieve high performance and productivity.
• Ensure efficient utilisation, operation, and maintenance of tractors, farm machinery, implements, irrigation systems, and other farm assets.
• Prepare production budgets, monitor costs, and implement measures to improve operational efficiency.
• Maintain accurate farm records covering production, livestock performance, labour, machinery, inventories, and finances.
• Ensure compliance with health, safety, environmental, and biosecurity standards.
• Identify opportunities to improve productivity through innovation, mechanisation, and adoption of modern farming technologies.
• Work closely with management to develop strategies that ensure the farm becomes self-sustaining while delivering consistent year-on-year growth in profitability and return on investment (ROI).

• Strong planning, organisational, leadership, communication, and people management skills.
• Good financial, budgeting, and record-keeping skills.
• Mature, self-motivated, proactive, and able to work independently with minimum supervision.

• Grade 12 School Certificate.
• Diploma in General Agriculture or an equivalent qualification from a recognized institution.
• Demonstrated practical experience in maize, soybean, horticultural crop production, and beef cattle management.
• Sound knowledge and hands-on experience in farm mechanisation, including the operation and maintenance of tractors, farm machinery, and agricultural implements.
• Practical knowledge of livestock nutrition, pasture management, manure management, and general animal husbandry.
• Must be willing and desirous to reside on the farm.
• Ability to drive a tractor and ride a motorcycle will be an added advantage.