**Shongweni Area - KwaZulu Natal**: Our client is looking for an Assistant Technical Manager to join the team.
**MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS**
- A degree or diploma in Agriculture
- Previous hands-on operations management work experience (preferably in a controlled environment production facility or with perishable products)
- Will be required to do weekend-duties duties as and when required
- Foundational knowledge of FSSC 22000 and or Global Gap
- Strong interpersonal and communication skills (fluency in English & another local language)
- General understanding of mechanics and maintenance
- Computer Literate: Microsoft packages including Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Syspro would be advantageous
- Must be a fast learner and numerically sound
- Excellent people and negotiation skills
- Experience working in a unionized environment
- Valid driver's license and own transport essential
**RESPONSIBILITIES**
- **Managing the growing process**:
- Ensuring that the scheduling of the farm is correct
- Ensuring that all operational inputs are managed correctly
- Planning the operations and manning levels accordingly
- Ensuring that the process methodology is adhered to
- Managing quality and yield
- Monitoring the entire production process from compost yard to harvesting
- Planning machinery routine maintenance schedule
- Completion of growing charts and conducting all required calibrations and checks in the growing rooms
- Updating all spreadsheets and necessary reports
- **Managing costs**:
- Ensuring that all raw materials are in line with budgets
- Ensuring that all chemicals are in line with budgets
- Ensuring that labour costs are in line with budget
- Ensuring that overtime is in line with budget
- Managing and controlling the requisition of temporary staff
- Managing the requisition of growing materials
- **Managing Human Resources**:
- Managing HR practices and ensuring compliance with company policies
- Ensuring that employees are trained and developed
- Managing the performance of employees
- **Managing Health and Safety, housekeeping & FSSC22000**:
- Attending the Health and Safety Meetings
- Ensuring that all internal FSSC22000 and Global Gap audits are prepared for timeously and successfully completed
- Ensuring that housekeeping in all areas is according to the required standards