Myco Production Team Leader - Somerset West at AECI Limited

Job Description    
Greenhouse Management: Management of integrated pest control in respect of insect, plant disease and weeds; nutrient stress and deficiency iro fertigation program; water stress in water program; arrange and manage all greenhouse repairs, drafting and management of cleaning and maintenance schedule; oversee use of drive motor and conveyor system in newly acquired tunnels ensuring correct and safe usage thereof, troubleshooting issues related to functioning of equipment and report any issues.
Liaison with Technical personnel iro forecasting production needs and attend monthly meetings with stakeholders to address production forecasting challenges and bottlenecks.

Oversee and participate in monthly stocktakes; interpret data to identify and implement appropriate improvements; explore innovative ways in which cultivation methods can be optimised; order consumables for the Greenhouses and manage Myco-production budget.

• Washing & Processing Plants: Management of production team, to ensure highly driven and motivated work ethic within team.Depending on daily demand process approximately 74-148 crates/day; draft and manage cleaning and maintenance schedules; arrange and manage repairs; oversee and participate in monthly stocktake of Myco powder and raw materials; assume responsibility for traceability system for all produced Myco powder and drive regular improvements ito recordkeeping, grading and sampling process.
• Liaise with QC Dept for quality control of graded Myco powder; issue Myco powder to Processing Dept to ensure traceability system is adhered to and regularly conduct trials to improve spore recovery during harvesting process.
• Administrative Functions: Maintain greenhouse records; develop and capture protocols and SOP’s for greenhouses, Wash & Processing plants; obtain sign off on all protocols and SOP’s; arrange weekly meetings with Technical Manager to discuss objectives and planning for the week and month; compile annual timeline plans for production of Mycorrhizae.
• Quality Control – Root Colonisation and Disease Clinic
• Driving: Collection of consumables, samples as well as delivery of samples; support other divisions with driving requests; utilise tractor and trailer to transport crates or waste product when needed.
• IT & ELECTRONIC BACK-UPS: Back up documents electronically and ensure hard drive is secured in the server room daily.
• Ad Hoc Tasks: On occasion perform ad hoc tasks as and when required which includes but is not limited to assist Myco Lab in maintaining Mycorrhizae mother cultures and new isolates; R&D Dept and Quality Control Dept in planting, execution, harvesting and processing of trials; feasibility studies and inputs on new projects and/or developments.

 
Qualifications & Experience    

• Minimum Grade 12 with tertiary qualification of a National Diploma Agriculture or B.Sc. Agric degree.
• A certificate or diploma in Management/Supervisory skills advantageous.
• Minimum of 5 years’ post qualification experience in the relevant field.
• Must possess previous management/supervisory experience of subordinates.
• Sound working knowledge of horticultural and agronomy principals.
• Knowledge of SHEQ Management Systems requirements advantageous.
• Proficiency in MS Office (Word/Excel/PowerPoint and Outlook).
• Possess knowledge of the Occupational Health and Safety Act.
• Must be in possession of a valid driver’s license, have own reliable transport and must be medically fit to drive.
• Must be available after hours to oversee contractors if needed.
• Must be available after hours during times of extreme weather to check on plants.
• Must be available during public holidays and during end of year closing period.