Production Officer - Seed Processing, Reitz

Production Officer: Seed Processing Plant (Reitz)

Introduction to the VKB Group

The VKB Group is an agricultural company providing support to farmers and producing straight-from-the-farm foods for consumers. Apart from its 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 core, continuously growing and evolving throughout the years. Starting with providing everything needed on the farm to produce food, we now operate across the entire food supply chain, including processing, logistics, storage, handling and national and international market channels.

This "house of brands", established with the support of our farmer shareholders, forms the foundation for building the agribusiness of the future.

More About VKB Grain Services: Seed Processing Plant

The VKB Seed Processing Plant in Reitz plays a critical role in delivering high-quality, certified seed to producers across South Africa. Our operation combines technical expertise, quality assurance, production planning, and customer service to ensure that every bag of seed meets the highest industry standards.

Working closely with seed producers, farmers, regulatory bodies, and internal stakeholders, the Seed Processing Plant forms an essential link in the agricultural value chain by ensuring that quality seed products reach the market efficiently, compliantly, and on time.

Why This Role Matters

The Production Officer is responsible for coordinating and controlling seed production activities from planning through to processing, certification, packaging, inventory management, and customer delivery.

This role is ideal for an agricultural professional who is passionate about seed production, plant operations, quality assurance, and working closely with producers. Your contribution will directly impact agricultural productivity by ensuring that certified seed products meet customer expectations, SANSOR requirements, and international quality standards.

Why Join VKB?

At VKB, you become part of an organisation that is deeply rooted in agriculture and committed to developing both people and communities.

We offer:

• The opportunity to contribute to South African agriculture and food security.
• Exposure to a highly specialised seed production environment.
• Continuous learning and professional growth opportunities.
• A culture driven by humility, innovation, teamwork, accountability, and excellence.
• The opportunity to build lasting relationships with producers, customers, and industry stakeholders.
• Meaningful work in the heart of the Free State agricultural region.

What Success Looks Like

The successful candidate will:

• Ensure seed processing activities are completed according to approved production plans and schedules.
• Maintain compliance with SANSOR, ISTA, and VKB quality standards.
• Deliver accurate inventory control and product traceability.
• Build trusted relationships with seed producers and customers.
• Achieve production targets while maintaining exceptional product quality.
• Ensure operational efficiency, cost control, and effective workforce management.
• Develop and support employees through coaching, training, and leadership.
• Maintain a safe, compliant, and organised processing environment.

Who Are We Looking For? (Ideal Candidate Profile)

We are looking for a technically strong agricultural professional who combines operational excellence with strong interpersonal and leadership capabilities.

The ideal candidate:

• Has a passion for seed production and quality assurance.
• Enjoys working in a fast-paced production environment.
• Understands agricultural production systems and seed certification processes.
• Can effectively engage with farmers, producers, and customers.
• Is highly organised and detail oriented.
• Takes ownership of outcomes and drives continuous improvement.
• Leads by example and develops others.
• Is comfortable balancing technical, administrative, and commercial responsibilities.

Minimum Requirements

Qualifications

• Diploma or Degree in Plant Production, Agronomy, Botany, Agriculture, or a related field.
• Registered Field Inspector with SANSOR – or willing to obtain certification.
• Certified SANSOR Sampler – or willing to obtain certification.
• Qualified Seed Analyst and Grain Grader will be advantageous
• Valid driver's licence.
• Fumigation

Essential Experience

• 3 to 5 years' experience within a seed production, seed processing, or seed certification environment.
• Practical knowledge of seed processing, packaging, handling, storage, certification, and production processes.
• Experience working with SANSOR systems and regulatory requirements.
• Experience in inventory management and production planning.
• Exposure to customer engagement, sales, or agricultural marketing environments.
• Experience supervising or leading operational teams within an agricultural processing environment.
• Advanced Microsoft Excel proficiency.

Competencies

• Planning and organising
• Problem-solving and analytical thinking
• Leadership and people management
• Attention to detail
• Decision-making
• Accountability and ownership
• Customer focus
• Relationship building
• Quality orientation
• Adaptability and resilience
• Continuous improvement mindset
• Effective communication

Skills Required

• Seed certification and quality assurance knowledge
• Production planning and scheduling
• Inventory and stock control
• Data analysis and reporting
• Advanced Microsoft Excel
• SANSOR system proficiency
• Knowledge of seed conditioner and seed sieves
• Agricultural product knowledge
• Negotiation and stakeholder engagement
• Verbal and written communication skills
• Fluent Afrikaans and English communication skills
• Ability to interpret regulations and compliance requirements
• Coaching and mentoring ability

Key Responsibilities

• Coordinate production planning activities and monitor progress against approved schedules.
• Manage and control seed processing operations, including sieving, treatment, packaging, and storage.
• Ensure full compliance with VKB policies, SANSOR requirements, and ISTA regulations.
• Manage inventory, product traceability, and stock accuracy.
• Coordinate seed sampling, testing, grading, and certification activities.
• Liaise regularly with seed producers regarding production, deliveries, and quality requirements.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with customers and key stakeholders.
• Monitor fleet utilisation and report deviations in accordance with VKB Fleet Management policies.
• Manage overtime, workforce planning, and labour efficiency in line with company policies.
• Support HR-related activities within the plant environment.
• Ensure compliance with health, safety, risk, and operational standards.
• Analyse production data and prepare operational reports.
• Identify opportunities to improve production efficiency and product quality.
• Stay informed on industry developments, technologies, and best practices in seed processing.
• Train, mentor, and coach plant employees to support succession planning and capability development.
• Support sales and seed distribution activities when required.

Important Information for Applicants

VKB Group reserves the right to close or withdraw any vacancy at its discretion. All personal information submitted through the Career Portal will be used solely for recruitment purposes and, where applicable, for matters related to employment.

As an equal opportunity employer, VKB Group is committed to Employment Equity, transformation, and the inclusion of People with Disabilities. Our recruitment decisions are aligned with the VKB Group Employment Equity Plan and Transformation Strategy.

When applying, please ensure that:

• You use Google Chrome to access the Career Portal.
• You upload a clear and professional CV in PDF or Word format only.
• Your CV does not contain handwritten notes or markings.
• Supporting documents such as your ID, driver's licence, certificates, or other documentation are uploaded in the designated sections and not combined with your CV.
• Your profile photo meets the minimum size requirement of 300 x 300 pixels.

A Note on Honesty and Integrity

As part of the application process, you will be required to complete a screening questionnaire. We strongly encourage all candidates to answer every question honestly and accurately.

At VKB Group, our culture is rooted in the values of being Humble, Hungry, Smart, Bold, and Playing as One Team. We believe in building authentic relationships and making sound decisions based on trust and integrity. Misrepresenting qualifications, experience, competencies, criminal history, or any other information may result in your application being withdrawn or your employment being terminated should discrepancies be identified during verification processes.

We respect your time and ask that you respect ours by providing truthful information throughout the recruitment process. This helps ensure that we focus on candidates who are genuinely aligned with the requirements of the role and the values of our organisation.

VKB is hiring for this full-time position in Free State.

See all 44 jobs at VKB →

Full-time positions like this one are ideal for building real-world experience. Even if you don't meet every requirement, applying shows initiative — and many employers value attitude over experience for entry-level roles.

Browse all Manufacturing jobs across South Africa, or see more Manufacturing and other jobs in Free State.