Job Description

Farm Manager (Blueberries, Tomatoes & Honey)Location: Cato Ridge, KwaZulu-NatalStart Date: As soon as possible (Operational by July 2025)Salary: R 35 000 to R 50 000 cost to companyAbout the Role:Are you a strategic, hands-on agricultural expert with a passion for high-value horticulture? We are seeking a dynamic Farm Manager to lead operations at a cutting-edge 20-hectare farm located in the beautiful Cato Ridge, KwaZulu-Natal. This farm specializes in tunnel-grown blueberries, open-field tomatoes, and honey production, integrating modern farming practices for optimum yield and efficiency.This is a unique opportunity for an experienced manager to oversee all aspects of farm production, from crop management and packhouse operations to labor supervision and infrastructure maintenance. You will play a pivotal role in ensuring the farm's growth, sustainability, and profitability.Key Responsibilities:Crop Production Management: * Plan, manage, and optimize the blueberry tunnel systems, including pruning, pest control, fertigation, and harvesting schedules.

• Oversee the cultivation of open-field tomatoes, including managing rotations, input programs, and labor cycles.
• Ensure the optimal use of fertigation and irrigation systems to maximize crop health and yield.

Honey & Pollination:

• Manage the integration of beehives for pollination and honey production.
• Oversee honey harvesting, processing, and bottling while ensuring hygiene and compliance.
• Explore potential pollination services for neighboring farms.
• Packhouse & Post-Harvest Oversight:
• Supervise packhouse operations, ensuring seamless processes from receiving to dispatch, storage, and traceability.
• Ensure adherence to food safety, hygiene protocols, and compliance throughout the packing process.
• Manage value-added product lines like jams, juices, and sundried tomatoes.
• Infrastructure & Equipment:
• Coordinate maintenance of irrigation pumps, packhouse machinery, cold storage, and farm vehicles.
• Oversee the daily use of farm machinery, including tractors, electric carts, and tools.
• Water & Environmental Management:
• Operate within Water Use License conditions, managing water storage and irrigation systems efficiently.
• Monitor borehole use and irrigation scheduling across all crops to optimize water usage.

Labor Management: * Recruit, train, and supervise both permanent and seasonal farm workers.

• Manage labor cycles and ensure a safe, productive, and positive working environment.
• Record Keeping & Reporting:
• Keep detailed records on yield, input use, labor, and sales, ensuring accuracy and compliance.
• Collaborate with the farm owner on budget tracking and financial oversight (R10 million budget).

Qualifications & Experience: * Degree/Diploma in Agriculture, Horticulture, Agribusiness, or related fields.

• Minimum 10 years of farm management experience, ideally with high-value crops.
• Strong knowledge of tunnel farming, fertigation, irrigation systems, and cold chain logistics.
• Experience with value-added processing, honey production, and small-scale agri-processing is a plus.

If you Meet the above Requirements please send your CV to chantelle@proappoint.co.zaOnly shortlisted candidates that fit the above requirements will be contacted.

Pro Talent