Crop Protection Manager - Veg at AAA Growers

Job objective

As the Crop Protection Manager, you will be responsible for the planning, execution, and oversight of all crop protection activities, ensuring optimal pest and disease control while upholding the highest standards of safety, sustainability, and operational efficiency.

Your tasks and responsibilities

• Plan weekly spray programs for all crops in consultation with the Farm manager.
• Maintain high standards of spraying by ensuring proper spray coverage, use of correct spray volumes and zero loss or spillage of chemicals.
• Ensure transportation and disposal of chemical products residuals within the farm are well handled.
• Develop and implement integrated pest management (IPM) strategies to protect various crops.
• Monitor crops for identification of major pest and disease challenges at the farm.
• Ensure the spray equipment is in a serviceable state at all times so that they are well maintained in order to have a smooth spray operation.
• Participate, coordinate and manage all activities that fall in the domain of the spray department.
• Prepare and submit monthly reports to the Farm Manager.
• Continuous supervision and training of the crop protection team for optimum results and safety of the spray team.
• Monitor, in collaboration with the greenhouse management team the spray areas in the greenhouses if infestation is controlled.
• Report without delay to the Farm manager when he/she encounters a problem in relation to spraying activities.
• Prepare annual chemical and PPE requirements of the department at the start of new budget year

Your profile

• Degree or Diploma in Agriculture, Crop Protection, Agronomy, or a related field.
• Over 5 years in a similar role within a commercial vegetable farming environment.
• Proven track record in crop protection or pest management within horticulture farms, preferably in Veg section.
• Self-motivated, strategic thinker with excellent crisis management skills and able to bring solutions to the table.
• Familiarity with pesticide regulations, safety protocols and environmental stewardship principles.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a dynamic and diverse agricultural environment.
• Strong administration, site management and people management skills with proven delivery on targets within a strict timeframe.
• Report writing skills.