Agri-Technical Manager

In brief

**Overview** This role is for an Agri-Technical Manager at Farm Managers SA. The position involves leading and developing a technical team, driving agronomic strategies for crop yield, quality, and loss management, and overseeing crop protection, nutrition, and irrigation strategies. It also includes leading agricultural research and trials, ensuring accurate data management and compliance, and building strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders. The role operates within a fast-paced agricultural environment, requiring a blend of technical expertise, leadership, and commercial understanding. **What you will do** * **Technical Leadership & Team Development**: Lead, develop, and motivate a high-performing technical team; set clear performance expectations and promote accountability; conduct regular one-on-one meetings and provide coaching, training, and technical support; develop strong 2IC capability; build effective working relationships between Technical, Production, HR, and Compliance. * **Crop Yield, Quality & Loss Management**: Set and manage annual crop yield, quality, and crop-loss targets aligned with customer and business requirements; drive agronomic strategies to maximise yield and quality while minimising crop losses; monitor crop performance and identify opportunities for improvement; lead root-cause analysis of recurring crop health and production issues and ensure corrective actions are implemented. * **Crop Protection, Nutrition & Irrigation**: Use scouting data, weather forecasts, seasonal knowledge, and product information to develop effective spray and nutrition programmes; ensure irrigation strategies support crop quality, yield, and loss targets; work closely with Production to identify and resolve irrigation, crop protection, and nutrition challenges; ensure chemical applications comply with safety requirements, pre-harvest intervals, MRL requirements, and applicable legislation. * **Research, Trials & Innovation**: Lead research and trials aimed at improving farming methods, yield, and crop quality; design and execute scientifically sound trials using appropriate controls, replication, and accurate data collection; manage multiple trials simultaneously and ensure results are analysed and reported accurately and timeously; conduct proactive research using industry experts, consultants, laboratories, technology, AI, conferences, and other relevant resources; convert research findings into practical recommendations and improvements for the business. * **Data, Reporting & Compliance**: Ensure spray, scouting, nutrition, and other technical data is accurate, complete, and submitted on time; maintain high standards of technical reporting and documentation; drive data-based decision-making and use technical information to identify trends and opportunities; work closely with the Compliance Manager to ensure audit, food safety, chemical safety, and legislative requirements are consistently met. * **Stakeholder Management**: Build and maintain strong professional relationships with customers, contractors, suppliers, and service providers; ensure excellent communication, timely responses, and delivery against agreed deadlines; represent the company professionally and build a reputation for technical excellence and reliable service; work collaboratively with Production, Compliance, and HR to resolve challenges and continuously improve business performance. **Requirements (from the original advert)** * Bachelor's degree or equivalent qualification in Agriculture, Agronomy, Horticulture, Crop Science, Plant Science, or a related agricultural discipline. * Minimum 5 years' experience in a management or senior leadership role within an agricultural, horticultural, farming, or related technical environment. * Strong practical experience in crop production, nutrition, irrigation, and agronomic management. * Proven experience in designing, managing, and evaluating agricultural research and trials. * Experience managing and developing technical or operational teams. * Strong understanding of chemical application, pre-harvest intervals, MRLs, food safety, and relevant agricultural compliance requirements. **Who should apply** The ideal candidate for this Agri-Technical Manager role is an experienced professional with a relevant agricultural Bachelor's degree and at least five years in a senior agricultural management or leadership position. They should possess strong practical expertise in crop production, nutrition, irrigation, and agronomic management, along with proven experience in designing and managing agricultural research and trials. This individual should be a strong team leader, analytical, data-driven, and passionate about continuous improvement. They must be adept at research, problem-solving, and root-cause analysis, capable of managing multiple projects simultaneously, and an excellent communicator who is quality, safety, and commercially conscious. The candidate should be comfortable making quick and effective decisions in a fast-paced agricultural setting. **Deadline** Not specified **Reference** Original posting: https://www.myjobmag.co.za/job/agri-technical-manager-farm-managers-sa Source: myjobmag

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At a glance

• At least 5 years of experience.

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