General Manager – Farming

Job description

Job Description:

Job title: General Manager – Farming

Reporting to: Managing Director and Shareholders

General Manager to oversee the day-to-day operations of the farm that will lead to achieving better yields, profitability, and sustainable agricultural practices. The General Manager will play a crucial role in ensuring the efficiency, productivity, and sustainability of the farm operations and will oversee and manage all aspects of the farm including but not limited to, Blueberry and Flower production, staff supervision, financial management, and strategic planning.

Core Responsibilities

• Operations Oversight: Manage crop cultivation, irrigation schedules, harvesting, and labour requirements. Ensure effective coordination and communication between departments, identifying gaps between departments and implementing solutions to rectify these gaps. Ensure effective control measures for operations, stock and Human resources are in place and managed day-to-day
• Financial Management: Develop annual budgets, control input costs, and monitor financial records. Oversee the controls and management of the company finances. Oversee the companies accounts (these will be done by an external party, but you will be required to ensure this is carried out properly). Oversee the implementation of the budget and cashflow which includes timely reporting on the company’s performance.
• Staff Leadership: Hire, train, and supervise permanent and seasonal farm workers, assigning daily duties and evaluating performance.

• Asset Maintenance: Ensure proper upkeep, repair, and servicing of farm machinery, vehicles, and irrigation infrastructure.
• Sales and Supply Chain: Oversee local marketing, product distribution, and procurement of inputs. Maintaining relations with Export clients and Agents.
• Compliance & Safety: Enforce occupational health and safety rules and environmental/agricultural regulations. Oversee the Companies compliance with other external auditing bodies such as GLOBAL GAP and SMETA. Ensuring that Statutory requirements are met such as, PAYE, NAPSA and NHIMA.

This does not limit or define the entirety of the scope of work.

Farming Operations

The current operation is approximately

• 70% blueberries — core crop/business
• 30% flowers — provides additional cash flow

Experience within blueberries and/or export horticulture/flowers would therefore be highly advantageous.

Candidate Profile

The preference is for a commercially minded, hands-on agricultural GM with strong operational and financial capability.

Trust, integrity and communication are critical.

Academic or Trade qualifications

• Diploma or Degree in Agriculture, Horticulture, Agricultural Management, Agribusiness, Farm Management or a related agricultural discipline.
• Qualifications or training in Farm Business Management, Finance, Accounting or Bookkeeping will be an advantage.
• Additional technical qualifications in Irrigation, Agricultural Mechanisation, Crop Production or Agricultural Engineering will be advantageous.
• A valid driver’s licence is essential.
• Training or certification in GLOBALG.A.P., SMETA, Occupational Health & Safety, environmental compliance or other relevant agricultural standards would be advantageous.

Work Experience & Skills

• Minimum 8–10 years’ experience in commercial agriculture, with at least 3–5 years in a senior farm management, general management or operations management position.
• Proven experience managing commercial horticultural production, preferably blueberries, flowers, berries, fruit, vegetables or other high-value horticultural crops.
• Strong understanding of irrigation management, crop production, harvesting, post-harvest handling and labour planning.
• Demonstrated experience managing large agricultural workforces, including seasonal labour.
• Experience with budgets, cash-flow management, cost control, procurement and financial reporting.
• Experience dealing with export markets, agents, suppliers and customers would be advantageous.
• Practical understanding of GLOBALG.A.P., SMETA and agricultural compliance requirements.
• Strong knowledge of farm machinery, vehicles, irrigation infrastructure and preventative maintenance.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, with experience using Xero or another accounting/ERP system an advantage.
• Demonstrated ability to lead teams, resolve conflict, identify operational inefficiencies and implement practical solutions.