Experience

NWF Agriculture

• United Kingdom
• Farming
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Sales Specialist

  • May 2022 - Present



Farming and Engineering Services (FES) Group - Africa

• Malawi
• Farming
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Regional , Branch and Irrigation Manager

  • Jun 2019 - Nov 2021

  Managed and assumed responsibility for the overall running of organisational support for the central and northern Malawi regions, via a centralised office, overseeing parts warehouse, equipment workshop, service centre, contracts department, compliance, irrigation operations and administration. Hired, supervised, monitored, and motivated staff using one-to-ones and KPI management, leading by example, to ensure goal attainment. Responsible for purchasing and management of all physical and theoretical stock holdings. Designed and implemented the unit’s irrigations systems. Oversaw workshop, organising servicing of machinery, field repairs and dealt with warranty claims. Managed customer expectations, providing recommendations and solutions. Set up annual budgets, targets and profit forecasts reviewing regularly in line with changing economics. Oversight of corporate banking account, authorising payments via EFT (BACS) and cheques. Reported production on a daily, weekly, and monthly basis. Represented company at trade shows to enhance corporate reputation and increase orders. Built up and maintained pipeline of new customers, through relationship building and cold calling of new potential clients. Developed new and enhanced existing relationships with key account holders, including large corporations, private commercial farmers, and farmer co-operatives. Networked and built relationships with NGOs and non-profit organisations, submitting proposals to International Donor Fund Managers. Show less



The Umhlathuze Valley Sugar Company Ltd

• Empangeni, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

• Horticulturist Consultant - Macadamia Operations

  • Jan 2017 - May 2019

  Nursery - 4 hectares: Project managed the construction of a world class Macadamia Tree Nursery. Set and exceed projection targets, increasing capacity from 42,000 trees to 120,000 trees within a one-year period. Negotiated sales of excess trees to third parties. Build holding dam and pump house. Converted old cucumber greenhouse to shade cloth houses. Installed and oversaw irrigation system, developing fertigation and spraying programmes. Recruited and supervised staff to begin planting seeds and perform grafting. Managed overall daily running of nursery. Established budgets and forecasts for revenue generation. Procured all equipment and stock for nursery. Ensured nursery was registered with necessary accredited organisations including Seed Growers Association of South Africa (SGASA) and Macadamias South Africa (SAMAC). Farm - 1000 hectares: Managed the harvesting team of 200 field staff and 30 factory staff during both day and night shifts. Oversaw harvesting process from field to on-site factory. Managed process from development of farm to planting of saplings in new fields. Responsible for road and electric fence maintenance. Ensured on-site security and ensured external security company worked collaboratively, to ensure site safety. Computerised and digitised recording-keeping for harvesting team, including the introduction of electronic scales and square harvesting bags that resulted in increased production. Introduced incentive bonuses for staff, linked to production targets. Ensured harvested yield balanced to factory deliveries. Managed land preparation of new fields. Eradicated old sugar cane fields. Utilised land surveying equipment to survey and peg roads, waterways, and new blocks. Used earth moving equipment to establish roads. Worked with sub-contractors to establish micro dams, installing a 20km main water supply line. Planted new indigenous trees and grass in waterways. Managed interrow grass cutting programme. Show less



Green Africa Nursery

• Richards Bay, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

• Business Owner

  • Jul 1994 - Apr 2019

  Purchased and developed business from zero base, resulting in a 2.5 hectare fully functioning nursery within a 5-year period. Developed roads surrounding nursery, and installed water supply (borehole and dam) and electricity. Purchased all equipment to ensure efficient running of facility. Established indoor pot plant division, landscaping division and garden centre, eventually expanding to grow vegetable seedlings as a cash crop under polycarbonate tunnels and shade nets. Supervised over 130 employees, working collaboratively to motivate and upskill staff for development purposes. Nursery was registered with SANA (South African Association of Nurserymen) and won numerous of awards for excellence during a 20-year period. Negotiated and secured contracts and tenders for major clients, such as Bell Equipment, BHP Billiton, and Netcare Hospitals. Negotiated eventual sale of nursery as a successful and profitable concern, ensuring TUPE of all loyal existing staff to new owners. Show less



Airley Farms

• South Africa

• Student Horticulturist

  • Jan 1993 - Dec 1993

  Developed horticultural skills working in greenhouses, responsible for indoor plans for major South African supermarkets. Planned spraying programmes and monitored crop health. Assisted propagation staff. Worked collaboratively across all departments to build up and hone horticultural knowledge base. Developed horticultural skills working in greenhouses, responsible for indoor plans for major South African supermarkets. Planned spraying programmes and monitored crop health. Assisted propagation staff. Worked collaboratively across all departments to build up and hone horticultural knowledge base.