FARMING SYSTEMS & INNOVATION MANAGER

SUMMARY:
Durban Area – KZN: The successful candidate will be reporting to the Group Estate Agriculture Head, the successful incumbent will be responsible for driving the agricultural modernisation agenda across the Group

POSITION INFO:

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

• Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent in Agriculture / Engineering / Innovation
• 10 years’ experience as a senior agriculturist with commercial, research and project management exposure
• Excellent leadership, management and influencing skills, with the proven ability to effectively engage, and positively influence a range of stakeholders to facilitate the adoption of a new technology
• Proven coaching and technology adoption experience
• Experience researching, piloting and introducing leading edge technologies into a commercial farming operation
• Proven experience in keeping up with emerging trends in agricultural innovation and adopting novel methodologies to ensure sustainable solutions
• Proven ability to work with different business divisions to bring about improvements in the sustainability and profitability of the wider business.
• Fully understands and can articulate the interconnected nature of a farming and agri-processing business and is able to balance short term objectives whilst managing the change process for longer term business goals to be achieved.
• Demonstrated ability in delivering results and meeting business expectations
• Extensive experience working in African Markets
• Self-driven, with the ability to work independently
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills (verbal and written)
• Professional, dedicated and a good team player
• Above average proficiency in MS office
• Willingness to travel into all areas of operations within, and outside, South Africa

Key performance areas, including but not limited to:

• Drives the farming systems thinking at all levels of the business; effectively communicating the interconnected nature of all aspects of sugarcane production including the impacts these may have on the production of sugar and downstream products
• Actively explores agricultural diversification opportunities where these complement and enhance the profitability and sustainability of the existing ISA farming and manufacturing business.
• Supports the development and implementation of the Agriculture Strategy, with respect to developing the innovation and technology pipeline to support the modernisation and optimisation of both Grower Agriculture and Estate Agriculture
• Sets and manages processes, policies and standards needed to progress valuable and cost-effective technological solutions; facilitates and encourages technology adoption
• Keeps abreast of market developments and innovation/technological trends in agriculture, and matches opportunities/solutions to fill capability gaps communicated by Centres of Excellence [CoEs]
• Closely interfaces with Agriculture Practices CoE to codify best practices into standardised work processes for in-Country adoption
• Engages with Group and Country stakeholders to assess relevance and feasibility of new technological/ innovation opportunities for the group
• Ensures all technological opportunities adhere to best practices, standards & policies, and comply with safety requirements, laws and regulations in market context
• Facilitates and promotes the sharing of such knowledge through the Community of Practice
• Develops implementation plans with Countries and mobilises to effectively and efficiently roll-out approved initiatives and monitor performance.

ONLY short-listed candidates will be contacted

Email your CV to roelien@------ or CLICK THIS LINK to apply https://www.placementpartner.co.za/wi/vacancy/?id=farm&VacRef=FM000897&preview=-----b-----ed75b2d4fc010 or upload your CV to this specific position via --------Please upload your CV here-------->

NB! This job is now closed. You can apply for other jobs by uploading your CV.