Job Description

South African Canegrowers Association has a vacancy for a Commercial / Area Manager, based in Amatikulu, Uthungulu District Municipality in KwaZulu-Natal.

We are looking for a forward thinker, who is creative, energetic and who can describe themselves as very Tech savvy. Add to the list, business minded, with sound numerical acumen, eager to look for alternative solutions to problems and wants to get involved in building our growers business, then we are interested in hearing from you.

You must have an excellent rapport with people and must have experience in managing projects and contracts, from inception to completion, and some background in negotiations. It would also be advantageous if you have knowledge of and a passion and interest in agriculture - sugar/ trees. Sound financial and numerical skills and or economic skills are non-negotiables.

We are looking for candidates who have worked independent within established frameworks and who are self-driven. Candidates will need to be resilient, strong on teamworking, with a positive, can-do attitude, consistently demonstrating professionalism at all times and who are eager to help our Cane Growers build their business.

The position is based in Amatikulu, Uthungulu District Municipality in KwaZulu-Natal, and reports to the Grower Affairs Manager of SA Canegrowers.

The individual would need to reside in this area or within reasonable proximity.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• You will drive and contribute to the Areas' Growers strategic issues, including local grower council, mill group board, and other committees
• You will run with a range of matters and challenges experienced by growers from attending government workshops, to how to generate a larger income stream for our Grower's business's
• Provide input and assist grower leadership with pre and post preparation for strategic meetings
• Project manage a diverse range of projects all in line with the local area's strategic needs
• Provide industrial, economic, and institutional updates at local grower meetings
• Provide a service to individual growers which includes bank feasibility reports, budgets, compensation reports, crop valuations, contractor rates, lease agreements and rates
• Participate in municipal activities such as the integrated development plans for the municipality
• Oversee all development projects in the area such as Government or Company funded projects
• You will advise on viability of crop diversification and other farm/ business matters and link in closely with other commodity organisations to assist growers where possible
• Manage the Agriculture Business Advisor and other staff where necessary ensuring excellent administration, timely distribution of minutes, amongst others

Minimum Requirements

Education and Experience

• BCom or Business and Financial/Agricultural Economics Degree is essential
• A minimum of three to five years working in a competitive business focussed environment or business field

Knowledge and Skills

• Experience in the field of agriculture being sugar or tree farming would be beneficial
• Some experience in energy generation and energy solutions would be advantageous
• Must be self-driven, problem solver with ability to oversee various projects simultaneously
• Excellent interpersonal skills with an outgoing demeanour and an easy ability to establish new relationships and connections
• Ethically minded and values driven, service orientated, innovative, resilient person who works effectively in a team environment as well as working independently to set own direction
• A positive can-do attitude
• A valid driver's license
• Excellent numerical competence and skilled in Excel and Word and general technical competence

Salary:

• Market related.

The South African Cane Growers' Association is a registered non-profit company which protects the interests of its members by lobbying for an appropriate legislative environment, negotiating the best price, undertaking research and analysis, and providing growers with critical information empowering them to make sound decisions at farm, mill and industry level.

In terms of the Protection of Personal Information Act 4 of 2013 (POPIA), the applicant freely and voluntarily consents to SA Canegrowers collecting, processing, and storing his/ her personal and special personal information for the purposes of his/ her application for this position.

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