General Manager Farming Operations at Best Search Recruitment

Job Description
The Position:

• The general manager of farming operations position will require a very strong candidate that has top level management experience in a farming company with at least 800 ha of seasonal cultivation.
• They will be highly driven and efficiency focused.
• The position will report to managing director and will be responsible for overseeing the ongoing development and cultivation of 1,600ha of land, with the expectation of mid-term cultivation levels of 1,000 ha of maize and soya per annum.
• The position will be responsible for full performance of the farm and will require a person highly skilled in the management of such cultivation scale, while also being practical.
• It is expected that the agriculture activities of the company will utilize the latest technologies for crop performance management, such as drones and imagery technology to monitor germination rates and on-going crop health, while also using such technology for monitoring land clearing performances etc.

Job Roles/Responsibilities

• Day to day management of farming operations including but are not limited to over 1,000ha of annual seasonal cultivation, bush clearing and general farm development
• Responsible for short, medium and long term business strategy development and implementation
• Responsible for full agricultural business management including forecast and budget development, planning and implementation
• Responsible for developing the necessary business organizational structure and implementing such to optimize efficiencies and productivity in all aspects of the business.
• Responsible for working with key input suppliers to conduct trials and research on seed varieties and techniques to improve and maximize yields and farm output.
• Manage all agricultural equipment through and with the maintenance department
• Project manage all capital projects relating to the development of the agricultural activities.
• Manage all bush clearing activities ensuring clearing cost and time targets are achieved.
• Manage all imagery and imaging technologies such as UAV’s/drones etc for monitoring farming activity efficiencies, crop performance and health and where necessary theft/security.
• Responsible for regular report to managing director.

Key Skills/Experience

• 8 years' experience in a similar role.
• Experience in seasonal farming activities in excess of 800ha essential.
• Very high level of computer literacy is essential.