National organisation is seeking a Regional Manager for the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands in the agricultural sector.
The role involves advocacy, collaboration, providing guidance, promoting industry best practices, and fostering strong stakeholder relationships.
A key aspect of the role will be managing sponsorships, coordinating regional events, and providing support to national events and campaigns.
KEY RESONSIBILITIES Advocacy & Representation Stakeholder Representation: Represent producers' (farmers) interests in meetings with government agencies, industry bodies, regulatory authorities, and other key stakeholders.
Lobbying: Advocate for favourable policies, regulations, and support structures to benefit the sector regionally and nationally.
Farmer Advocacy: Serve as a voice for producers (farmers), addressing concerns and challenges to ensure their interests are represented effectively.
Producer Support Advisory Role: Provide strategic advice to producers on regulatory compliance, best practices, and industry standards.
Problem Resolution: Act as a mediator to resolve disputes involving producers and stakeholders such as processors, suppliers, or regulators.
On-the-Ground Assistance: Conduct regular farm visits to gain firsthand insight into producer (farmers) challenges and offer support as needed.
Communication & Engagement Member Communication: Keep producers (farmers) informed of relevant industry news, regulatory changes, and Organisation initiatives via newsletters, emails, and meetings.
Feedback Collection: Gather producer feedback to guide Organisation policy and strategic planning.
Networking: Foster collaboration among producers (farmers), creating a strong, engaged, and supportive regional community.
Event Coordination & Sponsorship Management Regional Meetings: Organise regional meetings, workshops, and forums for producers (farmers) to engage, share insights, and receive updates on key initiatives.
Training & Development: Coordinate educational programs and workshops on farming techniques, business management, and sustainability.
Industry Events: Represent the Organisation at regional and industry events, trade shows, and conferences.
Sponsorship Management: Identify and manage sponsorship opportunities to support events and initiatives, building partnerships that benefit the sector.
Social Media Management: Take ownership of managing the social media platform for the Organisation festival, ensuring engaging, informative, and timely content is shared to maximise event visibility and producer participation.
National Event Support: Collaborate with Organisations national team to plan and execute events and campaigns, providing regional input and logistical support.
Data Collection & Reporting Regional Insights: Collect and report data on production, challenges, and market trends within the region to inform Organisations strategic decisions.
Surveys & Feedback: Conduct surveys to assess the effectiveness of initiatives and understand producer needs.
Progress Reporting: Update senior management regularly on key regional issues, developments, and progress.
Collaboration Interdepartmental Coordination: Work closely with other departments (e.g., marketing, finance, and other regions) to ensure regional needs are integrated into broader strategies.
Partnership Development: Cultivate relationships with processors, suppliers, service providers, and financial institutions to enhance producer (farmer) support.
Crisis Management Emergency Support: Provide assistance during crises such as natural disasters, disease outbreaks, or economic downturns affecting producers.
Risk Mitigation: Assist in the develop strategies to mitigate risks related to market volatility, supply chain disruptions, and labour shortages.
Financial Assistance & Grants Grant Applications: Assist producers (farmers) in identifying and applying for grants, subsidies, and other forms of financial aid.
Business Resources: Help producers (farmers) access loans, insurance, and other essential financial tools to support their operations.
Promoting Sustainability Sustainability Practices: Encourage the adoption of environmentally friendly and sustainable dairy farming practices REQUIREMENTS Grade 12 A degree or diploma in agriculture, animal science, agricultural economics, or a related discipline (an added advantage) Previous experience in advocacy, dairy farming, or a role closely related to the agricultural sector.
Strong existing relationships with local farmers or key points of contact within the agricultural community in the region.
In the absence of the above requirements a strong background in sales and marketing will be considered.
Effective Communication and Leadership: Excellent communication, negotiation, and leadership abilities to engage with diverse stakeholders.
Event Coordination and Sponsorship