Ensure independent and accurate accounting and operational reporting to support our client’s farming operations. This is a very hands-on, high visibility role requiring intensive commitment.
Essential Criteria:
- Proficiency in English and Afrikaans
- Bachelor’s degree
- Exposure to the agriculture industry and farming background preferred
- Minimum of 3 to 5 years’ work experience
- Management experience required
- Experience in a similar role
Role & Responsibilities:
Approval & Management:
- Approve all invoices, PO’s, JNL’s, and SVA’s related to farming within 24 hours of receipt.
- Manage the Farming Admin team, including backup planning, cross-functional training, one-on-one meetings, and career development.
Financial Management:
- Calculate, report, and manage the Farming Business P&L.
- Ensure all harvested tonnages are accounted for in the T1 system.
- Perform transport reconciliations to identify discrepancies between harvested and delivered tonnages.
- Capture and allocate all correct “basis” costs (handling, silo diffs, transport, etc.) per farm, crop, and silo.
- Ensure manual calculations balance with T1 deliveries, MIS uploads, SAP GL & MBOR reports daily, MTD & YTD for volumes and GM per crop type.
- Review trade position accuracy and ensure reporting accuracy and completeness in BPC, MBOR, SS & WD4.
System Management:
- Manage SAP (ERP) system for the Farming Business, including uploading new farming locations and managing budgets at the WBS level.
- Create and manage new WBS’s.
- Assist with annual budgeting and forecasting processes, including OPEX/CAPEX budget compilation and presentation.
- Enter budget data into relevant BPC & SAP templates for upload and ensure forecasting accuracy.
- Compile and manage budget vs. actual reports.
Balance Sheet Management:
- Perform monthly BSI reconciliations.
- Manage the NESTA system for IFRS16 calculations.
- Manage the SHED inventory system, ensuring all inventory amounts are accurate and complete.
- Ensure the biological asset amount is complete and accurate.
Efficiency Gains:
- Improve procedures and data integrity.
- Automate processes and implement new technology such as Power BI.
Audit Assistance:
- Assist with annual internal and external audits.
- Handle all farming audit queries and liaise with auditors.
- Ensure no repeat audit findings (e.g., inventory count, IFRS16).
Operational Support:
- Prepare farmer reconciliations and profitability analysis.
- Coordinate between farming operational and accounting teams.
- Prepare operational reports to support the Farming Manager.
- Handle VAT: Diesel submission (monthly) and rebate journal.
- Perform any ad-hoc duties as required.
Other Responsibilities:
- Assist Farming Operations with the Farming “Schedule A”.
- Serve as the point of contact for any financial farming operation questions.
- Assist the Business Control Manager in training other team members.
Essential Skills:
- Excellent leadership skills
- Ability to work cross-functionally with senior management
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills
- Advanced computer literacy (MS Excel)
- Aptitude for continuous system enhancements and automation
- Numerical reasoning and problem-solving skills
- Ability to work under pressure while maintaining excellent attention to detail and a high degree of accuracy
Desirable Skills:
- Background in grain and agri industry and commodities trading
- Experience with SAP financial modules
- ERP experience
- Ability to work independently with minimal review required
- Planning, organizing, and excellent time management skills
- Critical thinker with emotional resilience to overcome obstacles
