Job Title: Operations Manager - Banana Production

Reports to: General Manager - Farming Operations

Background & Job Purpose:

We are a leading producer and distributor of bananas and other fruit in Zimbabwe and South Africa and have exciting plans for the continued growth of our production and distribution platforms.

This position oversees the effective and first-class development of our banana expansion programs, and the continuous improvement and development of existing operations.

Major Functions /Accountabilities:

General operations management – drive quality KPI’s, unit volumes and costs,

Drive development of all supporting infrastructure (cableways, irrigation & fertigation, etc)

Drive ongoing continuous improvement focusing on detail around quality, volumes and yields,

Production planning

Fertilizing

Sucker management

Irrigation

Bunch care

Pest, weed and disease control

Harvesting operations

Recruiting, leading and developing a first-class operational team,

Attention to detailed operations systems and SOPs to drive productivity and quality and crop planning from field through to packhouse,

Drive adoption of global best practices and benchmarks with local innovation,

Budgets and forecasts, financial analysis and planning,

Plan and develop capacity depth and skills at all levels through operations,

Closely guard reputation and integrity of the business.

Skills and Competencies:

Banana technical expertise and high interest in driving technical progress,

Confident and open team player,

Strong leadership capacity with high impact and influence with the ability to develop and maintain a high potential team

Strong attention to detail,

Proactive and entrepreneurial bent with proven high agency,

Curious and demanding of new knowledge and its transfer,

Proven ability to build and mentor outstanding and growing individuals

Computer proficiencies:

Excellent computer skills, particularly Microsoft Excel, Word, and Power Point, QGIS, and any ag specific applications.

Experience:

Management level in high end banana production,

Demonstrated strategic, hands–on experience in transforming operations to world class standards.

Education:

A strong Agriculture or Horticulture degree from a reputable organization

A minimum of 5 years’ experience in a relevant context, including at management level

Location:

Burma Valley, Manicaland, Zimbabwe

How Performance is measured:

KPI & Measure

Field Operations

Bunch care, sleeving, propping, de-suckering, fertilizer management, weed control, irrigation, Pest and disease control

Quality

Proportion of Class 1 fruit,

Proportion of Large Fruit,

Waste ratios,

Realised Price Premiums.

Volume

Total production / ha yields,

Planning to Meet Market requirements,

Costs

Productivity metrics vs benchmarks,

Unit costs/kg

New Development

Execution to target quality standards and milestones

Effective Human Capital

Team development

Performance Management

Submission:

If this position is of interest to you and you believe you meet these requirements, please send us a 1-page cover letter and a 1-page CV clearly marked ‘OPERATIONS MANAGER - BANANA PRODUCTION’ no later than Thursday 17th June 2021.

The letter should explain why you feel you are an ideal candidate and future Matanuska leader.