Agricultural Drone Operations Manager Precision Agriculture

Position:
Agricultural Drone Operations Manager

Company:
Syngenta South Africa

Location:

Port Elizabeth, South Africa

Experience:

5+ years in drone operations, precision agriculture, or related fields

Education:

Bachelor's degree in Agricultural Science, Engineering, or related discipline

Employment Type:

Full-time

Industry: Precision Agriculture

Department:
Operations

Salary: R600,000 – R900,000 per annum

Vacancies: 1

Syngenta South Africa is a global leader in agricultural innovation, dedicated to delivering sustainable solutions that increase crop productivity and protect the environment. With a strong presence across the country, Syngenta combines cutting‑edge research, advanced seed technologies, and integrated crop protection products to support South African farmers in achieving higher yields and better profitability. The company’s commitment to digital transformation has led to the adoption of precision agriculture tools, including satellite imaging, IoT sensors, and autonomous drones, positioning Syngenta at the forefront of modern farming practices.

As part of its growth strategy, Syngenta is expanding its drone‑based services to provide real‑time field analytics, targeted pesticide application, and crop health monitoring, creating new career opportunities for skilled professionals in South Africa Jobs.

The Agricultural Drone Operations Manager will lead the planning, execution, and optimization of drone‑based agricultural services for Syngenta’s client base in the Eastern Cape region. This role involves coordinating flight operations, managing data collection and analysis, and ensuring compliance with aviation regulations while delivering actionable insights to farmers. The successful candidate will work closely with agronomists, data scientists, and field technicians to integrate drone data into Syngenta’s precision agriculture platform, enhancing decision‑making and supporting sustainable farming practices.

For more information about Syngenta’s digital agriculture initiatives, visit our partner portal at

• Develop and implement drone flight plans for crop scouting, health assessment, and variable rate application across diverse farm sizes.
• Manage a team of licensed drone pilots, ensuring safety, regulatory compliance, and operational efficiency.
• Oversee data acquisition, processing, and integration with Syngenta’s agronomic models to generate precise field recommendations.
• Collaborate with agronomists to translate aerial insights into actionable agronomic advice for growers.
• Maintain and troubleshoot drone hardware, software, and sensor payloads, coordinating with vendors for upgrades and repairs.
• Monitor and report key performance indicators (KPIs) such as flight coverage, data accuracy, and client satisfaction.
• Lead client workshops and training sessions on interpreting drone‑derived analytics.
• Stay updated on emerging drone technologies, regulations, and best practices within the South African aviation landscape.

• Proven expertise in operating commercial UAVs equipped with multispectral, thermal, and RGB sensors.
• Strong understanding of precision agriculture concepts, crop physiology, and agronomic data interpretation.
• Excellent project management abilities with a track record of delivering complex field operations on schedule.
• Effective communication skills to convey technical information to non‑technical stakeholders.
• Analytical mindset with proficiency in GIS software (e.g., QGIS, ArcGIS) and data analytics platforms.
• Ability to lead, mentor, and develop a multidisciplinary team.
• Knowledge of South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA) drone regulations and permitting processes.

A Bachelor’s degree in Agricultural…