Overview

We are hiring!

Our client in Malawi is looking for an Estate Manager to join their team in the Agriculture Industry.

To apply or for more information, click the link below.

Key Responsibilities:

– Nursery management

Nursery guidelines and procedures should be followed and periodically reviewed including seedling germination, potting, grafting fertilization and ensuing spray programs are followed to produce well established seedlings comparable with those produced at commercial nurseries. Seedling production targets and goals as per the budget should be met to ensure overall company targets are met.

– In field orchard management

Ensuring that all operations are carried out efficiently and effectively and in accordance with the budgeted labour standards and targets carried out. All operations should sustainable approach that promote long term productivity. Field operations include but are not limited to;

  • Land Preparation
  • Planting
  • Tree training
  • Orchard establishment
  • Soil and leaf sampling
  • Chemical and Fertilization application
  • Pest scouting and threshold monitoring
  • Weed control
  • Harvesting
  • Mulching
  • Pruning
  • Water resource management and irrigation scheduling
  • Supply planting and replacement of irregular trees

– Harvesting and factory processing

  • Ensure that all macadamia in the field is collected and processed within normal industry standards of operation ensuring that the yield and quality is maximized aiming for a USKR of no more than 3%.
  • Management of the primary processing dehusking and drying facility ensuring that work is carried out efficiently to minimize of losses and maximize on production throughout the process.
  • Workshop and equipment maintenance
  • Ensuring that the company equipment is maintained in accordance with manufacturers guidelines and that preventative maintenance is carried out and that a record of all works carried out is maintained.

– Administration

Manage all relevant admin procedures as required and ensure that Farm Management adheres to the prescribed systems and procedures and ensure the following records are maintained by farm administration management and submitted at the prescribed times:

  • Fuel Bin Cards and usage summary
  • Stock usage and movements
  • Labour usage records
  • Operations monitor sheets
  • Petty cash records
  • Labour Float records
  • Employee/ General/ Seasonal/ Operation payroll and summaries
  • Delivery note and Goods Received Notes
  • Harvest & Yield records
  • Daily Scouting records
  • Pesticide and herbicide spray records
  • Fertilizer application schedules
  • Irrigation schedules and records
  • Incident logs
  • Equipment Maintenance logs

– Planning and budgeting

The preparation and contribution in yearly budgets and plans in accordance with company goals and targets. Budgets and plans are presented to the company directors and senior management for approval and should be followed. Programs should be monitored with variances or deviances approved by management together with financial impacts. The budgets and plans include:

  • Yearly financial budget
  • Foliar, granular and fertigation program
  • Irrigation schedules
  • Pesticide and fungicide spray program
  • Operations planning
  • Planting program
  • Nursery production program

– Human Resource Management

Directing and instruction off farm operations with estate managers for onward communication and management of general labour. Ensuring all work is carried out to the required standard and within the expected labour budget.

Contribution in recruitment of key positions within the company and ensuring staff are suitably trained for the tasks at hand. All HR matters should be reported to group management to allow disciplinary action to be taken if required.

– Regulatory

The estate manager is responsible to ensure the estate is prepared for necessary industry and internal audits and us compliant to environmental, health and safety regulations and policies.

– Other Duties and responsibilities

  • Sheep production and husbandry
  • Apiary management and Honey production
  • Forestry and wildlife management and conservation
  • Ensuring estate assets are controlled and security maintained to prevent losses.
  • General upkeep of estate roads and fencing
  • General upkeep of estate infrastructure

Education / Qualifications

  • Degree or Diploma in Agriculture or Farm Management
  • Minimum work experience of 5 years as a farm manager at a sizable and reputable farm.
  • Experience in growing Macadamia or other tree crops.
  • Strong organizational and administration skills
  • Target driven.
  • Ability to develop and work with spreadsheets and farm budgets
  • Basic knowledge of business management and accounting
  • Strong people management skills
  • Knowledge of farm equipment and the ability to manage a farm workshop.
  • Basic understanding and experience in managing farm building projects.
  • Knowledge of running advanced newly installed drip irrigation system.
  • Knowledge of appropriate fertilizer application methods including fertigation with drip irrigation.
  • A good understanding of soils
  • Focus on Tree nurseries and the production of healthy viable seedlings.

Other Interests that will be beneficial

  • Sheep husbandry.
  • Honey production.
  • Forestry and wildlife management and conservation.

Considerations

An intention to hold the post for 3 – 6 years.

Competitive remuneration based on candidate’s qualifications.