Job Opportunities

We are looking for a person who is excited about making a difference to our growers' businesses and lives, who is energetic and resilient and brings to the role strong commercial management experience in agriculture. The Commercial Manager will work with sugarcane growers in the Felixton and Umfolozi areas.

Are you passionate about farming and making a real impact on growers' businesses and lives? We are looking for an energetic, resilient, and commercially savvy leader to join our team as Commercial Manager.

In this role, you will work closely with sugarcane growers in the Felixton and Umfolozi regions, building strong relationships and driving initiatives that create tangible value for their operations. Your proven experience in agricultural commercial management and your ability to connect effortlessly with people will be key to helping our growers thrive.

We are looking for someone who has experience in managing projects and contracts from inception to completion, brings a solid background in negotiation and excels as an enabler and facilitator, is independent, self-driven, resilient, and technologically savvy, and thrives in a collaborative team environment.

Ideally the incumbent has knowledge of the water regulatory environment and is aware of environmental issues surrounding these areas.

This position is based in Empangeni, KwaZulu-Natal, and requires the incumbent to reside in the surrounding area. The role serves both Felixton (your primary base) and Umfolozi, offering the opportunity to make a meaningful impact across two key sugarcane regions.

If you are ready to combine your expertise with purpose, and to be part of a team that truly makes a difference, we'd love to meet you.

The position is responsible for providing a service to two areas, Felixton where they will be based, and Umfolozi.

What you'll do as Commercial Manager:

• You will drive and contribute to the Felixton and Umfolozi Growers strategic issues, including water board activities, local grower council, mill group board, and the pest and disease committee
• Collaborate and liaise with the Felixton Cane Growers Association and the Umfolozi Cane Growers Association
• The position will assist both Felixton and Umfolozi grower led businesses
• Run with matters and challenges experienced by growers such as attending government workshops, irrigation quotas and billing challenges related to the needs of the local area, specifically water queries such as pricing and quality
• 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 areas' strategic needs
• Provide industrial, economic, and institutional updates at local grower meetings
• Provide a service to individual growers which includes bank feasibility reports, compensation reports, crop valuations, contractor rates, lease agreements and rates and many more diverse matters
• Participate in municipal activities such as the integrated development plans for the municipalities
• Oversee all development projects in the areas such as Government or Company funded projects
• Guide on viability of crop diversification and other farm/ business matters and link in closely with other commodity organisations to assist growers where possible
• Manage staff of the Felixton Office as well as both areas Agriculture Business Advisors, and any contract staff, ensuring excellent administration, support, and service
• Assist the Regional Manager with any ad hoc matters in the cane supply areas, e.g., environmental issues around the iSimangaliso Wetland

What you'll need:

• A minimum of a Bachelor of Science Agricultural Economics Degree, or a BCom or Business and Financial degree
• With a minimum of five to ten years working in a financial environment or business field
• Experience in the field of water regulations and agriculture would be beneficial
• Environmental management experience would be beneficial
• Self-driven, problem solver with ability to oversee various projects simultaneously
• Excellent people skills and ability to establish 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

Who We Are:

The South African Cane Growers' Association is 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. The position is based in Felixton, northern KwaZulu Natal, reporting to the Chairmen of both the Local Grower Councils, to the Grower Affairs Manager on Felixton matters and the Regional Manager Pongola and Umfolozi on matters pertaining to Umfolozi.

How to Apply:

If you meet the requirements, please e-mail your comprehensive CV including current remuneration details and expectations, as well as qualifications including matric certificate and academic record to:

https://careers.nticesearch.com/ntice/search/vacancy/all/1/6682992/commercial%20manager%20-%20felixton%20empangeni%20south%20africa.html

It is important that you indicate the position you are applying for in the subject heading of your email

Applications will be considered as soon as they are received, and interviews arranged for shortlisted candidates thereafter

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

Shortlisting will begin as soon as applications are received