FARM MANAGER – MIXED FARMING

SUMMARY:
Prieska Area, Northern Cape Province – South Africa: This mixed farming operation is looking for a dynamic farm manager to join the team.

POSITION INFO:
MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS
 

• Agricultural Diploma or equivalent advantageous.
• Min of 7 years relevant farming/farm management experience.
• Previous experience with wheat, maize & lucerne.
• Pecan nut/orchard experience would be advantageous.
• Proven experience working with large combine harvesters and planting equipment essential.
• Experience scheduling and managing irrigation.
• Maintenance orientated. (A proactive, self-reliant approach to troubleshooting and fixing mechanical, structural, and operational issues on farm first before resorting to outside third-party contractors.)
• Strong leadership skills.
• Proven ability to work independently.
• Computer literate.
• Valid driver’s license.
• Basic practical knowledge of rural electrical systems for minor troubleshooting.
• Reasonable technical aptitude to use smartphones and agricultural apps, digital.
• Task lists, and record-keeping tools.
• Must be systematic and organized—capable of maintaining structured records and logs digitally or in writing.
• Comfortable living in a rural farming community and engaging respectfully with local association structures.

• Coordinate routine tasks across the farm.
• Ensure work is completed correctly, safely and on time.
• Manage the full production cycle for maize, wheat, onions and lucerne —from soil management and soil preparation, planting, watering, fertilizer programs and pest/disease control programs up to harvesting.
• Irrigation scheduling, chemical/fertilizer application, and crop monitoring to harvesting and post-harvest storage—for maize, wheat, lucerne, onions, pecan nuts.
• Manage the end-to-end ordering process for any farming requirements including maintenance and crop inputs (seed, fertilizers, chemicals, etc.). Source quotes, coordinate with agricultural suppliers, manage delivery schedules. Owner will have oversight on key suppliers and programs e.g. seed/fertilizer and chemicals.
• Oversee water distribution, irrigation scheduling, pump checks, and routine upkeep of water delivery systems across the 520+ hectare irrigation footprint.
• Manage and develop pecan nut orchards, including maintenance, inputs, irrigation, harvesting and contractor coordination.
• Manage livestock operations, including grazing, breeding, animal health, handling, records and sales.

• Oversee input stock control in alignment with the crop programs.
• Implement practical operational systems, daily checklists, and safety protocols.
• Maintain disciplined control over purchasing, fuel, feed, chemicals, labour, contractors, machinery and other farm costs.
• Maintain appropriate animal welfare, health and safety, environmental and regulatory standards.

• Handle preventative maintenance and basic repairs.
• Direct the maintenance, servicing, and operation of all farm vehicles, tractors, trailers, and implements.
• Manage the farm workshop, ensuring all small tools, equipment, and general infrastructure are maintained, organized, and in safe working order.
• Handle basic on-farm electrical troubleshooting and minor electrical repairs.
• Maintain farm infrastructure including roads, fencing, water systems, buildings.

• Provide clear direction to staff.
• Supervise, schedule, and delegate tasks to the farm employees.
• Building a strong team and drive and promote positive team culture.
• Must be neat and diligent.
• Manage, lead and develop farm staff and contractors, with clear accountability for work standards and productivity.
• Support training and safe work practices.
• Maintain strong communication across the operation.

• Identify issues early and implement clear communication to the owner.
• Adapt to changing conditions (weather, workload, etc.).