Operations Manager

Our client, a company in the agricultural industry situated in Stellenbosch, is looking for an Operations Manager to join their team.

Our client is a global company with operations across 4 continents and specializes in soil fumigation for fruit-, vegetable- and berry farms, nurseries, golf courses, sports fields and more.

Role objective:

Expanding the business nationally through increasing the client base, delivering good quality work at an efficient pace, and keeping costs to a minimum. Ensure a motivational work culture is created for employees.

Key responsibilities:
Operational:

Draft and communicate operational plan and ensure it is executed accordingly by the teams.
Co-ordination of all operational activities and departments to ensure smooth running of the day-to-day activities.
Identify and implement process improvements / other improvements to increase efficiency and quality of work.

Technical:

Provide new and existing clients, as well as internal teams, with high quality agronomical support and recommendations in conjunction with the company’s products.
Understanding current and future needs of clients whilst being able to identify problems and provide agronomic and technical solutions to them.
Staying up to date with industry trends, legislation, and competitors.

Marketing:

Identify and peruse new clients.
Build relationships with current and potential clients.
Identify any other opportunity to market the company’s current services / products or new areas for the company to expand in.

Stock management:

Oversee monthly stock takes, analyse results, and always ensure sufficient stock levels.

Team management:

Draft and implement employee motivation plan and ad hoc initiatives.
Performance management of team according to performance management system.
Manage staff compliment and recruit new staff to ensure company is correctly resourced.
Draft staff schedules and allocate teams to clients.
Ensure effective team communication.
Ensure staff is well trained on technical skills, people matters and company policies.

Financial management:

Review financial statements and other financial data.
Prepare, control, and track operational budget.
Identify and implement cost saving initiatives to improve company profitability.
Record keeping of individual expenses according to company procedures.
Approve and allocate expenses to correct cost centers / costings.
Approving of quotes.

General:

Assist Managing Director with any other tasks.
Understand and adhere to the company’s operating procedure as well as Health and Safety procedures and ensure their team adheres to these.
Any other reasonable task required by company.
Key requirements:
Tertiary qualification related to Agricultural Science or Agronomy (advantageous).
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