Selebi-Phikwe area, Cenral District – Botswana: Reporting into executive leadership, the Operational Manager – Production will hold full strategic and operational accountability for all citrus production across the enterprise. This is a hands-on senior leadership role for a seasoned citrus professional who combines strong field presence with sharp commercial judgement, and who can unite people, systems, planning, and execution into a single, high-performing production operation.
MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS
- A degree or diploma in Agriculture, Horticulture, Agronomy, Citrus Production, Agricultural Management, or a related discipline.
- Additional qualifications in citrus production, irrigation, food safety, or management are advantageous.
- 10–15 years in commercial citrus production, including 5–8 years in a senior production or operational leadership role.
- A proven track record managing large-scale citrus operations(500ha+) and leading multiple Production Managers.
- Deep expertise in irrigation, fertigation, crop forecasting, harvesting programmes, and export production systems.
- Experience within Southern Africa farming environments is advantageous.
- A confident, credible leader who develops high-performing teams.
- Strategic and operational in equal measure, with strong planning and organisational discipline.
- Calm, decisive, and accountable under the pressures of peak season.
- A clear communicator and reporter with a data-led, improvement-focused mindset.
RESPONSIBILITIES INCLUDE BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO
- Develop and execute the long-term citrus production strategy.
- Lead varietal, rootstock, orchard replacement, and expansion planning.
- Align production plans with the company's growth and commercial objectives.
- Direct orchard production and overall yield performance across the estate.
- Oversee irrigation and fertigation strategy, scheduling, and efficiency.
- Lead crop protection and integrated pest management programmes.
- Manage labour, resources, and operational infrastructure.
- Ensure compliance with food-safety standards and full export readiness.
- Lead, develop, and hold accountable a team of Production Managers.
- Embed data-driven decision-making and a culture of continuous improvement.
- Propose and manage capex projects to elevate ROI.
- Prepare and manage production budgets.
- Drive monthly crop forecasting, harvest planning, and seasonal production execution.
- Control operational costs and identify cost-saving opportunities.
ONLY short-listed candidates will be contacted.
