Position Type: Regular - Full-Time
Position Location: Rosebank
Requisition ID: 34276
At McCain Foods, our customer-obsessed culture is not just a principle; its the heartbeat of our organization. We define our customers as our partners, and we strive to exceed their expectations through exceptional service and trusted collaboration.
We think big and plan ahead and are committed to reshaping the frozen potato & Veg Industry, evolving beyond a fry company. Our focus on innovation, sustainability, and consumer relevance drives us to explore new possibilities and challenge the status quo.
And to win, we bring out the best in our people, empowering every team member to play a vital role in delivering outstanding value. By inviting diverse perspectives and encouraging open dialogue, we create a safe space where every voice matters. Our leaders support and develop talent, recognizing that the journey is as important as the destination. When our people thrive, so does our company.
Join us in our journey to become the undisputed leader in frozen potatoes & veg. Together, lets redefine the future of food, one delicious, planet-friendly bite at a time.
Purpose Of The Role
The Head of Agricultural Function will provide strategic leadership to ensure McCain Foods consistently secures the right volumes of raw materials for our processing plants. The role is responsible for delivering raw materials at the right time, place, cost, and quality in alignment with the Integrated Business Plan (IBP).
Key Responsibilities
- Strategy Development & Execution:
- Lead the development and execution of short-, medium-, and long-term agricultural strategies to optimize raw material supply to the processing plants.
- Translate strategies into measurable outcomes that ensure timely, cost-effective, and high-quality supply of raw materials.
- Sustainable Cost Advantage (SCA):
- Drive strategies to reduce overhead costs without compromising function effectiveness.
- Implement initiatives to introduce new, high-yielding, and cost-effective potato, potato seed, and vegetable crop varieties.
- Advise and assist growers (both independent and McCain-owned) in adopting improved farming practices to boost yields and lower costs.
- Ensure third-party financing models are adhered to, securing grower support in line with agreed terms.
- Assured Supply:
- Oversee the supply of raw materials to the processing plants, meeting quality, cost, and timing requirements.
- Strengthen relationships with Independent Growers to position McCain Foods as the preferred partner.
- Guide McCain Agricultural Managers in negotiations to secure optimal contracts with growers.
- Ensure McCain-owned farms and mechanized planting/harvesting functions operate at peak efficiency.
- Optimize sourcing to mitigate risks from weather or disease, ensuring reliable, quality raw material supply.
- Compliance & Transformation:
- Develop and implement strategies to ensure full compliance with regulatory, quality assurance, and labor legislation (HACCP, ISO, and customer-specific audits).
- Promote McCain Foods alignment with transformation targets and BBBEE codes.
- Commercial & Financial Management:
- Ensure the Agricultural Function meets financial goals and operates within budget.
- Lead transparent reporting, including PowerBI-based commercial and financial performance metrics.
- Provide insights and business cases to support key decisions, optimizing the agricultural value chain.
- Leadership & Talent Development:
- Lead, develop, and inspire teams to achieve business objectives, fostering a culture of continuous improvement.
- Ensure transformation targets are met and maintain a strong leadership pipeline.
- External Stakeholder Engagement:
- Build and maintain relationships with key external organizations, including government bodies, plant health services, and logistics providers.
- Qualifications:
- Bachelors Degree in Agricultural Sciences, Economics, Commerce, or a related field.
- A Postgraduate qualification in Agriculture or Commerce is advantageous.
- Experience:
- A minimum of 10 years experience in the agricultural commercial sector, with at least 3-5 years in raw material procurement, supply, or logistics at a senior level.
- Experience in commercial farming or processing of agricultural products is essential.
- Technical Competencies:
- Strong commercial acumen with excellent negotiation skills.
- Proficiency in PowerBI or other reporting tools is a plus.
- Behavioral Competencies:
- Resilient and solution-oriented in challenging situations.
- Strong organizational, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
- Excellent leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills.
Join a global leader in food production and help shape the future of agriculture. If you're passionate about sustainability and supply chain optimization, we want to hear from you!
McCain Foods is an equal opportunity employer. We see value in ensuring we have a diverse, antiracist, inclusive, merit-based, and equitable workplace. As a global family-owned company we are proud to reflect the diverse communities around the world in which we live and work. We recognize that diversity drives our creativity, resilience, and success and makes our business stronger.
McCain is an accessible employer. If you require an accommodation throughout the recruitment process (including alternate formats of materials or accessible meeting rooms), please let us know and we will work with you to meet your needs.
Your privacy is important to us. By submitting personal data or information to us, you agree this will be handled in accordance with the Global Privacy Policy
Job Family: Agriculture
Division: South Africa
Department: Agriculture
Location(s): ZA - South Africa : Gauteng : Johannesburg
Company: McCain Foods (S Africa)
