Project Manager

Product/Project management
Stellenbosch – Western Cape

ENVIRONMENT:
A pioneering Agriculture Technology company with offices in Johannesburg and Stellenbosch, is seeking a skilled and passionate Project Manager.  You will be at the forefront of managing the local farm-to-market supply chain, ensuring that client needs are understood, projects are aligned with the company’s vision and mission, and that teams across the organisation collaborate effectively to deliver results. Your role will involve overseeing the complete project lifecycle, from requirements gathering through to implementation, while fostering strong relationships with key stakeholders.
 
DUTIES:
  • Farm-to-Market Relationship Management: Build and maintain strong relationships with local farmers and market players to ensure seamless project execution and supply chain management.
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  • Client Requirement Gathering: Engage with clients to understand their specific needs, challenges, and objectives. Translate these requirements into actionable plans and ensure alignment with business goals.
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  • Project Planning & Execution: Develop project scopes, goals, timelines, and deliverables. Monitor and drive project progress, adjusting plans as needed to meet changing needs.
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  • Vision & Mission Alignment: Ensure all projects reflect the broader goals and mission of the company, contributing to sustainable agricultural practices and market growth.
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  • Internal Communication: Act as the key point of contact between clients and internal teams (e.g., Product, Engineering, Operations). Ensure all stakeholders are informed and involved at the appropriate stages of the project lifecycle.
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  • Risk & Issue Management: Proactively identify risks and potential project challenges. Develop mitigation strategies and ensure timely resolution of issues to keep projects on track.
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  • Budget Management: Manage project budgets, ensuring that resources are allocated effectively and that projects are completed within financial constraints.
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  • Reporting & Documentation : Provide regular updates on project status, including progress reports, risk assessments, and post-implementation reviews.
 
 
REQUIREMENTS:
 Formal Qualifications
  • Bachelor’s degree in Agriculture, Project Management, Business, or a related field.
  • 3+ years of experience in project management, ideally within Agtech, supply chain management, or agriculture-related industries.
  • Strong understanding of the local agricultural market and supply chain processes.
  • Proven track record of successfully delivering complex projects on time and within budget.
  • Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.
  • Ability to work in a fast-paced, dynamic environment and adapt to changing priorities.
  • Proficiency in project management tools (e.g., Trello, Jira, MS Project).
 
Knowledge, Skills & Experience
Knowledge:
  • Agricultural Market Dynamics: Strong understanding of farm-to-market supply chains, including the nuances of local agricultural production, distribution, and market demands.
  • Agtech Solutions: Familiarity with agricultural technology (Agtech) trends, innovations, and their impact on farming practices, logistics, and market strategies.
  • Project Management Methodologies: In-depth knowledge of project management principles, including Agile, Scrum, and Waterfall methodologies, with the ability to select and apply the best practices to each project.
  • Risk Management: Knowledge of identifying and mitigating risks in complex projects, particularly in supply chain or agricultural environments.
  • Regulatory and Compliance Standards: Awareness of industry regulations, agricultural standards, and sustainability initiatives relevant to the local and regional agricultural markets.
Competencies:
  • Strategic Thinking: Ability to align projects with the organisation’s long-term vision and mission while addressing short-term goals.
  • Stakeholder Management: Competence in managing relationships with a wide variety of stakeholders, including farmers, market players, clients, and internal teams.
  • Leadership & Collaboration: Strong leadership skills to guide cross-functional teams, encourage collaboration, and drive project success. Capable of leading without formal authority.
  • Problem-Solving: Sharp analytical and decision-making abilities to resolve project-related challenges quickly and effectively.
  • Communication: Excellent verbal and written communication skills, capable of conveying technical and business concepts to different audiences, ensuring that all stakeholders are on the same page.
  • Adaptability: Ability to handle changing priorities, manage uncertainty, and pivot quickly when necessary.
  • Time Management: Excellent ability to prioritise tasks, manage multiple projects, and meet tight deadlines.
  • Budgeting & Financial Management: Proficiency in managing project budgets and resources efficiently to ensure cost-effective solutions.
Skills:
  • Project Management Tools: Proficient in using project management software such as MS Project, Jira, Trello, Asana, or similar tools.
  • Data-Driven Decision Making: Ability to analyse data, interpret project KPIs, and apply insights to improve project outcomes.
  • Negotiation & Conflict Resolution: Skilled at negotiating project scope, timelines, and resolving conflicts or issues that arise during project execution.
  • Technical Literacy: While not necessarily hands-on, an understanding of the technical aspects of Agtech solutions and their integration into agricultural practices.
  • Presentation & Reporting: Strong presentation skills to effectively communicate project progress, risks, and outcomes to senior management and clients.
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Job Related Experience:
  • Agriculture and Supply Chain Management: At least 3 years of experience in a role related to agriculture, supply chain, or Agtech, with a strong understanding of the local market.
  • Project Management: 3+ years of proven experience managing complex projects from conception through implementation, preferably in the agriculture or technology sectors.
  • Client Engagement: Demonstrated success in managing client relationships, gathering requirements, and translating them into actionable project plans.
  • Team Leadership: Experience leading and coordinating cross-functional teams in a matrix organisation to deliver successful project outcomes.
  • Change Management: Experience managing projects that involve organisational or process change, ensuring smooth transitions and buy-in from all stakeholders.
 
ATTRIBUTES:
  • Someone to enhance the positive company culture with a high emphasis on morals, values and diversity
  • Preferably someone with a passion for/experience in the agriculture and /or logistics & technology industries 
  • A go-getter that can grow with the company 

+ 27 (0) 21 741 0400