Executive Head: Agricultural Management Services x1
Job Details
- Position: Executive Head: Agricultural Management Services
- Company: VKB Corporate Services (VKB Group)
- Job Type: Permanent
- Department: Corporate Services
- Location: Bloemfontein, Reitz, or Kimberley, South Africa
- Posting Date: 29 June 2026
- Closing Date: 19 July 2026
Job Description
The Executive Head: Agricultural Management Services is a senior executive leadership role responsible for driving the strategic direction of VKB’s agricultural management services. The successful candidate will lead multidisciplinary teams that provide integrated agricultural solutions, combining agronomy, soil science, agricultural economics, financial insights, data intelligence, and innovation to improve producer profitability and strengthen agricultural value chains.
This role serves as the strategic link between agricultural producers and the broader VKB business by developing value-added services, leveraging research and technology, supporting business growth, and ensuring sustainable agricultural practices. The Executive Head will also foster collaboration across business units, build strong relationships with producers, and position VKB as a trusted strategic partner in the agricultural sector.
Key Responsibilities
Strategic Leadership
- Develop and implement strategic plans for Agricultural Management Services.
- Drive sustainable profitability for producers and the business.
- Execute agricultural strategies that align with VKB’s overall business objectives.
- Promote continuous improvement and innovation throughout the division.
Agricultural Management
- Develop integrated agricultural service offerings that include:
- Agronomy
- Soil science
- Water management
- Agricultural economics
- Support producers through value-added agricultural services.
- Improve farming performance through research-based recommendations.
Research and Innovation
- Lead agricultural research projects and field trials.
- Benchmark industry best practices.
- Promote innovation and adoption of new agricultural technologies.
- Bridge the gap between research and practical farming applications.
Data Management and Business Intelligence
- Develop and manage an agricultural information hub.
- Analyse agricultural data to support decision-making.
- Oversee:
- Geographic Information Systems (GIS)
- Yield forecasting
- Agricultural trend analysis
- Performance benchmarking
- Provide independent, data-driven insights for financial and risk management.
Client Relationship Management
- Build and maintain long-term relationships with agricultural producers.
- Position VKB as a trusted agricultural advisor.
- Support related business divisions including:
- Agricultural financing
- Agricultural inputs
- Commodity trading
- Processing operations
Leadership and Team Management
- Lead and develop multidisciplinary agricultural teams.
- Mentor and coach managers and technical specialists.
- Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, and high performance.
- Ensure effective communication across regional operations.
Business Development
- Develop value-added agricultural products and services.
- Support new business opportunities within agricultural value chains.
- Strengthen collaboration between business units.
- Promote sustainable agricultural development.
Governance and Compliance
- Support ethical agricultural practices.
- Ensure professional standards are maintained.
- Build networks with industry experts and professional organisations.
Minimum Requirements
Applicants must possess:
Qualifications
- Relevant Bachelor’s degree (e.g. BSc in Soil Science or related agricultural field).
Experience
- Minimum of 6 years’ experience in a senior agricultural leadership position.
- Proven experience in multidisciplinary agricultural environments.
- Demonstrated success in strategic planning and business growth.
Additional Requirements
- Willingness to relocate to:
- Bloemfontein
- Reitz
- Kimberley
Professional Registration (Advantageous)
Registration with one or more of the following:
- SACNASP
- BASOS
- AVCASA
Postgraduate Qualification
- A postgraduate qualification in a relevant field will be advantageous.
Required Skills and Competencies
Leadership Skills
- Executive leadership
- Team management
- Coaching and mentoring
- Performance management
- Strategic decision-making
Technical Skills
- Agricultural management
- Agronomy
- Soil science
- Agricultural economics
- Water management
- Data analytics
- GIS and agricultural information systems
- Research and development
- Value chain management
Business Skills
- Commercial awareness
- Financial management
- Business growth strategies
- Risk management
- Strategic planning
- Data-driven decision-making
Interpersonal Skills
- Stakeholder engagement
- Relationship building
- Communication skills
- Negotiation skills
- Collaboration
- Client relationship management
Personal Attributes
- Strategic thinker
- Analytical
- Innovative
- Results-oriented
- Strong problem-solving ability
- High level of integrity
- Commitment to continuous improvement