Head of Processing Africa

Purpose of the role:

Ensure that all value-add facilities related activities are undertaken within the accepted norms and procedures in order to ensure long-term sustainability of the business.

Key Responsibilities:

Factories and Prepacking Facilities Growth Strategy Development:
• Factories and Prepacking facilities productivity improvement
• Establishment of central admin function for all Factories and Prepacking facilities.
• Development and implementation of Five (5) year growth and expansion strategy/plan.
• Technical Evaluation of all Factories & Prepacking facilities and implement same standards across.
• Collaborate with internal and external stakeholders to build company image and positive reputation.
• Conducting industry benchmarks on cost, technology, and people trends

Financial & Business Management:
• Collaborate and participate in setting-up budgets, monitor, allocate resources, review and making mid-year adjustment.
• Prepare monthly and/or project finance report for management to provide insight into the company.
• Contribute to the business profitability by managing people and resource to establish and accomplish business objective

People Management:
• Instil discipline within the management and labour force.
• Setting performance agreements, management subordinate, coach, and mentor the team.
• Developing successors for critical positions.
• Create a healthy labour relations environment through continuous employee engagement.

Health & Safety:
• Accept and execute 16(2) and GMR2(1) Role and Responsibilities
• Management and implementation of HSMS
• Drive Hazard identification and development Risk Assessments for all operations
• Support and Achieve and maintenance ISO45001 Accreditation in South African Production Units.

Capital Projects:
• Engagement with internal operations managers for requirement
• Technical Review and Approval of capital projects (Capex Requests)
• Setup Budget, Capex request and execute project timeously and within budget.
• Oversee manage the design process by both internal and external engineers.

Continuous Improvement
• Constant performance evaluation of packing practices/activities.
• Develop and implement process flows for all activities.
• Profit enhancement project – 2% gross profit improvement
• Measuring water usage and reporting for both management and compliance purposes.
• Secure at least two grower and increased volume by 5% year on year.
• Work with newly established Continuous Improvement Department.

Corporate Governance, Risk and Compliance:
• Ensure that statutory obligations under the auspices of Factories & Prepacking facilities management are prepared and maintained, including but not limited to, fire protection, building registration, EIA, wastewater, solid waste, transport, electricity supply and use etc.
• Enforce ethical business practices, and exercise oversight to ensure compliance to corporate governance, ethical and responsible behaviour as per the policies.
• Create an inclusive culture.
Operational Activities:
• Develop and implement data management system and reporting for all Factories & Prepacking facilities
• Develop and implement maintenance strategy and performance of all equipment.
• Standardise all Factories & Prepacking facilities across the continent.
• Warehouse management and stock control

Accreditation Management:
• Ensure compliance for all relevant accreditations, including legal aspects regarding fire, water and food safety, and Health & Safety regulations.
• Current audits include GlobalGAP, Nurtures (Tesco), Albert Heijn, Farming for the Future, Waitrose, SIZA, Fairtrade, Rainforest Alliance, SMETA, LEAF and other assessment audits.
• Managing the audit process, from booking audits to internal audits and overseeing the audit itself.
• Co-ordinating any audit related activities which may come up during the year.

Education:
• Degree in Engineering or Operations Management or other relevant fields
• Post graduate qualification will be advantageous
• Fruit processing and packing experience is desirable

Experience:
• At least 10-15-years’ experience in factories and prepacking facilities, preferably agriculture
• At least 5-years’ experience in 16.(2) role or similar roles on Health and Safety.

Knowledge & Skills:
• Technically competent to manage an export subtropical fruit business
• Good people management skills across all levels of the business
• Detailed knowledge of external accreditation requirements for local and export markets.
• Financial planning and control
• Knowledge of the legal framework for farming operations across Africa
• High levels of computer literacy

Behavioural Competencies:
• Integrity, passion for work, excellence and success
• Excellent communicator with attention to detail
• Business acumen with analytical problem-solving ability
• Results driven team player
• Ability to work under constant pressure
• Self-starter and ability to work independently and as part of a team