Business Lead - Agricultural Technology

Overview

Our client, in the Agri-tech space, is hiring for Business Lead - Agricultural Technology.

This vacancy is a hands-on, systems-driven leadership role focused on optimising operations, integrating technology, and progressively taking full business ownership. Succession pathway to MD.

• Ownership mindset
• Hands-on leadership
• Commercial + operational responsibility
• Comfortable in a small business environment
• Builder, not a corporate specialist
• Willing to be close to customers, systems and numbers
• Systems thinker & strong technical aptitude
• Growth mindset - severe appetite for learning and hunger to execute
• Passion for Farming community

A technically strong, structured thinker with deep problem-solving skills — responsible for owning and improving the operational and systems aspects of our client's Scale & Packhouse division.

This hands-on role combines process design, technical problem-solving, and operational excellence.

You'll work closely with the CEO, senior technician, and administrative team to ensure world-class service delivery, system optimisation, and continuous improvement across installations, calibrations, and customer interactions.

Stellenbosch

CEO

Monday - Friday; 08:00 - 17:00

Hybrid - 3 days office and 2 days remote

• Design, implement, and optimise operational processes for the Scale & Packhouse division
• Hands-on involvement in stock planning, calibration scheduling, and workflow management using data-driven systems
• Identify inefficiencies and opportunities for continuous improvement across installations, logistics, and after-sales
• Ensure operational standards meet "First-Time-Right" expectations
• Contribute to product/process design, prototyping, and improvement ideas.

• Provide solution-oriented support to customers and the team, ensuring systems operate optimally
• Conduct national (and occasional international) site visits to troubleshoot and guide system usage
• Translate complex system operations into clear guidance for customer teams.

• Conduct root-cause analysis to identify and resolve operational or technical issues methodically
• Apply structured, sequential thinking to break down problems and propose improvements
• Use data and systems (e.g., Airtable or similar) to track performance, identify risks, and make evidence-based decisions

• Oversee installations, calibrations, and support processes with "First Time Right" standards, minimising reworks or missed deadlines
• Plan and manage calibration schedules, job cards, and operational workflows to prevent delays or reworks
• Identify inefficiencies and improvement opportunities across installations, logistics, and after- sales
• Maintain and forecast for optimal stock levels to avoid critical out-of-stock events impacting delivery

• Work closely with the senior technician and admin/accounting assistant on travel, budgets, and invoicing
• Provide monthly performance updates to the CEO covering sales metrics, customer feedback, stock risks, and improvement actions

• Bachelor's degree in Agricultural Sciences, Operations Management, Industrial Engineering, Business Management, or Supply Chain Management
• Minimum 5 years' experience in operations, packhouse, or technical business management (experience in agri-tech or agriculture will be advantageous but not required)
• Experience in sales and customer relationship management
• Proven leadership and people management experience

• Excellent commercial and financial acumen (budgeting, forecasting, and cost management)
• Superb interpersonal and communication skills
• Operational planning and project management
• Analytical and tech-savvy with strong proficiency in relevant digital tools and reporting systems
• Process optimisation and continuous improvement focus
• Strong systems thinking
• Ability to integrate business, operational, and technical perspectives for effective decision-making

• Independent / Self-managed
• Proactive
• Strong problem-solving
• Strong decision-making
• Collaborative
• Prioritisation & time management
• Adaptability
• Continuous improvement mindset

An award-winning Agri Tech company that designs, builds, and supports smart hardware and software systems for the global fruit industry. Their mission is to make farming operations more efficient, data-driven, and sustainable through precision technology — from Smart-Scales and Packhouse Systems to Harvesting Scanners and Real-Time Traceability Platforms.

They are a small, high-performance team with a culture of humble excellence, autonomy, and results. Every member takes ownership of their work and contributes directly to the company's impact on farms and packhouses across South Africa, Egypt, Spain, and beyond.

For the successful candidate, this role offers a clear opportunity to grow within the company, expanding responsibilities across operations and commercial…