Executive Head: Agricultural Management Services - VKB Corporate Services

Introduction to the VKB Group

The VKB Group is an integrated food and agricultural company with operations starting pre-farm and running all the way through the agri and food value chain up to direct transacting with the food consumer. We do this via an integrated value chain structure, which includes own retail facilities or brands available through formal and informal retail channels Apart from the various consumer brands, the VKB Group is also represented by its regional brands: VKB, GWK and NTK. Our roots are firmly planted in agriculture with farming at our corecustomer being the agri producer, but then using this core relationship to create value downstream in the value chain and ultimately offering the food consumer unique value through well positioned food brands.

This “house of brands” we’ve established with the support of our farmer shareholders is the foundation for building the agribusiness of the future.

Our purpose

Touch lives – for the better: We always aim to make a positive impact in people’s lives: our employees, producers, clients, communities and the larger industry. And, through collaboration with this group of people, we strive to make an even bigger and longer lasting impact in the lives of all South Africans.

Our legacy

For the Love of the Land: We do it all for our legacy and the love of nature, people, country, sustainability and progress.

More about the Role

Senior Leadership Opportunity | Driving Agricultural Innovation & Value Creation

Are you a visionary leader with a passion for agriculture, innovation, and sustainable growth? We are seeking an exceptional Executive Head - Agricultural Management Services based in either Reitz, Bloemfontein or Kimberley to lead a strategically critical division focused on enhancing producer profitability, unlocking value chains, and strengthening client partnerships.

About the Role

This role sits at the heart of the agricultural value chain, acting as the strategic link between producers and the broader business. You will lead an integrated agricultural services function that combines agronomy, data intelligence, financial insight, and innovation to deliver measurable value.

Purpose of the Role

• Drive sustainable profitability for both producers and the business
• Unlock and develop unique agricultural value chains
• Position the organisation as a trusted strategic partner to producers
• Leverage data, research, and benchmarking to guide decision-making

Requirements

• Relevant qualification (e.g. BSc in Soil Science or related field)
• Postgraduate qualification advantageous
• 6+ years’ experience in a senior agricultural leadership role
• Proven experience in multi-disciplinary agricultural environments
• Strong track record in strategy execution and business growth
• Open to relocate (Reitz, Bloemfontein or Kimberley)

Professional Registration (Advantageous)

• SACNASP | BASOS | AVCASA

Duties and Responsibilities

• Lead strategic planning and execution across agricultural services
• Develop a holistic service offering integrating agronomy, soil science, water management, and economics
• Drive innovation through research, trials, and best-practice benchmarking
• Build and manage a central agricultural data and insights capability (e.g. GIS, yield forecasts, trend analysis)
• Strengthen client relationships and drive long-term value creation
• Align and support related business units (financing, inputs, trading, processing)
• Provide independent, data-driven insights to support financial and risk decisions
• Lead, mentor, and develop high-performing, multidisciplinary teams

Leadership & Strategic Focus

• Create an environment where employees can perform with purpose, engagement, and alignment, ensuring integration across regions
• Establish effective communication channels to enable collaboration and clarity of expectations
• Foster a culture of ownership, accountability, and high performance
• Drive the effective execution of strategic objectives
• Grow a value-adding model for both internal stakeholders and external clients (producers)
• Build networks with industry experts to stimulate innovation and stay at the forefront of new technologies
• Bridge the gap between technology and practical application in the market
• Develop strong, value-driven client relationships
• Ensure the team is recognised for its independent, professional expertise

Strategic Impact Areas

• Establish an agricultural information hub to support data-driven decision-making
• Drive benchmarking initiatives across regions to improve farming practices and ROI
• Support development of value-added products and processing opportunities
• Enable integrated value chain collaboration across the business
• Contribute to ethical and transparent agricultural practices within the industry

Skills Required

• Strategic and analytical thinking
• Strong commercial and financial acumen
• Leadership, coaching & team development
• Data-driven decision-making
• Stakeholder engagement and relationship management
• Innovation and continuous improvement mindset

Why Join Us?

This is more than a leadership role — it’s an opportunity to:

• Shape the future of agricultural services at scale
• Build a data-driven, innovative agricultural ecosystem
• Influence producers, value chains, and business strategy
• Drive sustainable agriculture and long-term profitability

Other Information

• The company can expire jobs at any time at their own discretion.
• VKB Group and/or its subsidiary companies will use any personal data collected through the job opportunities section of this website for recruitment purposes only and, should your application be successful, for purposes connected with your employment.
• VKB Group is an equal opportunity employer. VKB Group’s approved Employment Equity Plan and Targets will be considered as part of the recruitment process aligned to VKB Group’s Employment Equity & Transformation Strategy. VKB Group actively supports the recruitment of People with Disabilities
• Things to take note of when applying through our Career Portal.
• Use Google Chrome when accessing the portal
• Clear copy of your CV in either PDF or Word
• The CV should not have handwriting on the document
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