Our client, The South African Cane Growers' Association, a registered non-profit company which protects the interests of its members by lobbying for an appropriate legislative environment, negotiating the best price, undertaking research and analysis, and providing growers with critical information empowering them to make sound decisions at farm, mill and industry level is looking for a Commercial Manager who will be based in Amatikulu, Uthungulu District Municipality in the KwaZulu-Natal   

The successful candidate would need toreside in the area and will report to the Grower Affairs Manager of SA Canegrowers

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Drive and contribute to the Areas' Growers strategic issues, including local grower council, mill group board, and other committees
• Run with a range of matters and challenges experienced by growers.
• Work with Growers on how to generate a larger income stream for their business's, including involvement in business solutions and energy generation solutions
• Assessing Growers business challenges and look for alternative solutions to problems, with the aim of building the growers business
• Attend various government workshops involving pre and post pre work.
• Provide input and assist grower leadership with pre and post preparation for strategic meetings
• Project manage a diverse range of projects all in line with the local area's strategic needs
• Provide industrial, economic, and institutional updates at local grower meetings
• Provide a service to individual growers which include bank feasibility reports, compensation reports, crop valuations, contractor rates, lease agreements and rates
• Participate in municipal activities such as the integrated development plans for the municipality
• Oversee all development projects in the area such as Government or Company funded projects
• Advise on viability of crop diversification and other farm/ business matters and link in closely with other commodity organizations to assist growers where possible
• Manage the Agriculture Business Advisor and other staff where necessary ensuring excellent administration, timely distribution of minutes, amongst others

Minimum Requirements:

Education and Experience

• Preferably a BCom or Business and Financial/Agricultural Economics Degree
• A minimum of five years working in a competitive business focused environment or business field
• Experience in the field of agriculture being sugar or tree farming would be beneficial
• Some experience in energy generation and energy solutions would be advantageous
• Must be self-driven, problem solver with ability to oversee various projects simultaneously
• Excellent people skills and ability to set new relationships and connections
• Ethically minded and value driven, service orientated, innovative, resilient person who works effectively in a team environment as well as working independently to set own direction
• A valid driver's license
• Excellent numerical competence and skilled in Excel and Word

Knowledge and Skills

• Knowledge of and a passion and interest in agriculture - sugar/ trees advantageous
• Sound financial and numerical skills and or economic skills are non-negotiables
• Business minded with sound numerical acumen
• An enabler and facilitator  
• Currently in a competitive business environment, eager to look for alternative solutions to problems, wanting to get involved in building the growers business
• Excellent rapport with people and must have experience in managing projects and contracts, from inception to completion with a good background in negotiation

Salary:

• Remuneration is competitive and is on a cost to company basis

How you need to apply:

If you have the qualifications and meet the requirements, please forward a comprehensive CV including current remuneration details and expectations

In terms of the Protection of Personal Information Act 4 of 2013 ("POPIA"), the applicant freely and voluntarily consents to SA Canegrowers collecting, processing, and storing his/ her personal and special personal information for the purposes of his/ her application for this position.