Production Manager (Soft Fruit)

Our client, a leading soft-fruit farm and production, is looking for a Production Manager to join their company/farm based in Hermanus.

Location: Hermanus (Please note that accommodation is NOT provided for this position and nor will a housing benefit be provided)

Salary offered: Market related and negotiable (dependent on experience and suitability of the ideal candidate)

Your mandate: Deliver premium fruit quality and yield by setting the right growth strategy per crop, per field and executing it at top productivity.The opportunity

Own field establishment, crop husbandry, forecasting, harvest readiness, and post-harvest handover to the packhouse. This hands-on leadership role suits a proactive, data-driven manager who can plan ahead, mobilise teams, and hit targets in a fast-moving, labour-intensive environment.

Key responsibilitiesField Establishment

• Compile the strategic establishment plan aligned to the Season Production Plan.
• Specify and procure field, plant and material needs to agreed standards.
• Liaise with plant propagation providers to meet grower requirements and timelines.
• Plan, allocate and supervise labour to complete establishment tasks on time and within budget.

Crop Husbandry & Infrastructure

• Build budgets and implement the annual husbandry plan to meet strategic outcomes.
• Adjust husbandry strategy per crop/field based on plant growth and in-field performance.
• Plan and implement infrastructure adjustments to standards and procurement outcomes.
• Set labour outputs and monitor productivity and quality against the Husbandry Plan.

Forecasting & Estimations

• Update and communicate the seasonal profile based on crop performance.
• Provide short-term (weekly/fortnightly) production estimates timeously for operational planning.

Harvest Management

• Produce a rolling 6-week headcount plan and the annual harvest budget.
• Ensure picking to customer quality specifications to minimise field waste and optimise returns.

Logistics & Support Functions

• Lead the logistics supervisor across: staff transport (bus), sanitation, recycling, cold-store logistics, purchasing/CODs, and stock management for all husbandry and harvest needs.
• Coordinate smooth field-to-packhouse flow and on-time delivery to programmes.

Success looks like

• Field plans delivered on time, within budget, and to specification.
• Accurate, timely forecasts with clear weekly/fortnightly updates.
• High-quality fruit harvested to customer specs with minimal field waste.
• A motivated, well-trained workforce and reliable logistics support.

Requirements

What you’ll bring (non-negotiable)

• Tertiary qualification: Agricultural/Horticultural management diploma or degree.
• 3–5 years’ soft-fruit growing/production experience (ideal for a young, energetic leader ready to step up).
• Strong literacy, numeracy, and computer skills with excellent report-writing ability.
• Valid driver’s licence and own transport.
• Excellent communication skills and proven team leadership capability.
• Comfortable working to tight targets and deadlines, including overtime/weekends when required.