Technical Manager – Blueberries – Stellenbosch

Purpose of the role
My Client seeks a Technical Manager to drive blueberry fruit supply planning and fruit security (technical support) in South Africa, working within a team of technical advisors. This will include activities such as:

Pre-harvest visits to provide technical (agronomic and harvest) support to growers, generate estimates, and update estimates for supply planning in Zimbabwe and South Africa (Western Cape, Highveld and Lowveld areas).
Advise growers/ marketing in conjunction with the post-harvest team on the impact of climatic/ practices on fruit supply and quality.
Identify regional agronomic issues and improvement opportunities – propose these opportunities for commercial or academic research.
Act as the link between the company and the primary variety company in terms of plant census & new planting updates.
In collaboration with the variety development team, facilitate training of the company's Fruit Supply team and growers on new variety agronomics.
Prepare post-season review reports identifying improvement areas and lead post-season review sessions with growers.
Grower relationship management.
Drive the Fruit Supply Technical information and systems strategy.
Submit, track, and report on personal and team operational budgets.

Formal qualification

BSc Masters (Desirable)
BSc Horticulture/Agronomy/Viticulture/Soil Science

Job-related knowledge

Drivers of value in agriculture
Export fruit quality
Export fruit crop industry
Strong Agronomic and Horticultural background

Job-related skills

Driver's license
Computer literacy (MS Excel, Word & PowerPoint)
Critical thinking skills
Management skills
Creating strategies/ goals for teams considering company objectives
Mapping and implementing processes

Competencies

Integrity
Creativity
Logical and analytical
Interpersonal skills
Resilience
Planning and organising
Quality orientation
Energy and drive

Email CV in WORD format: ******
Please consider your application as unsuccessful if you have not been contacted within 2 weeks.
POPIA: By applying for the position, the applicant gives permission to the company to scrutinise and process personal information shared.
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