Production Team Leader

Fall Creek is creating a world with better blueberries through its friendly, collaborative team spread across the globe. To help us accomplish this, we are seeking a qualified Production Team Leader. This position will be located in Paarl, South Africa.

POSITION SUMMARY:

To lead a small team assigned to a specific work area to ensure that required tasks are correctly executed.  The team leader is considered a key enabler within a department, and link between middle management and the core team within the nursery.

ORGANIZATIONAL FIT:

This position will primarily report to the propagation/production supervisor.  The immediate direct report may change or rotate depending on operational demands in the different departments.  The team leader’s work teams will consist of permanent and temporary personnel as well as collaborating with other department managers.

JOB SETTING:

Nursery, greenhouse, and/or field environment. May be exposed to weather, insects, bees, dust, pollen, soil/mud, fertilizers, soil additives, and agricultural chemicals.

May use shovel, sprinkler, forklift, leaf blower, lawn mower, shearing machine, spraying equipment, tractor, pots and other containers, carts, box cutter, scissors, pruners, spray bottle, saws, drills, ladders and miscellaneous hand and power tools.

Work hours may change, depending on seasonal requirements. Weekends, P/Holidays, evening, and intermittent work may be required.

May have access to restricted or locked areas.

PRODUCTION TEAM LEADER – SCOPE OF KEY PERFORMANCE AREAS

The team leader will oversee the team, coordinate tasks, identify issues, offer solutions, and execute reasonable actions after careful consideration and approval of supervisor.  This role will require the candidate to maintain excellent communication skills, team control, problem solving, employee motivation, encouragement, coaching, and monitoring all production activities within the nursery.

Some key performance areas and scope of responsibility will include direct support to the department supervisors within the respective area: (note this may rotate from time to time):

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: (Other duties may be assigned)

• Under direction , support and manage nursery operations , including but not limited to propagation, plant production , crop maintenance , planting and packing processes


• Monitors and organizes all the work of employees within assigned teams.


• Makes impartial decisions regarding scheduling work to employees and teams.


• Consistently applies work rules to all employees.


• Notifies management of problems or potential issues in a timely manner.


• Trains new employees on company processes, locations and work standards.


• Accurately reports and records work activity.


• Assists with time-motion studies as needed.


• Assists with organizing workflow and work efficiency.


• Assists with monitoring plant quality by watching for unusual plant appearance, plant diseases or signs of stress, pests, or other potential problems with the crop.  Notifies management of issues in a timely manner.


• Performs all work activities and promotes work crews to perform work in a safe and efficient manner.


• Brings potential hazards to the immediate attention of management or the safety committee.  Follows all pesticide signage.  Immediately reports accidents, injuries and near-misses to management.  Enforces the use of personal protective equipment (PPE) when completing tasks (ear plugs/muffs, gloves, boots, safety glasses, etc.).


• Follows the policies according to Fall Creek’s Employee Handbook.


• Makes sure equipment is in proper operating condition and immediately notifies the maintenance department if repairs are needed.


• Follow written directions, such as SAP job lists, etc.


• Assist employees in performing work by answering questions and demonstrating techniques.


• Trains employees on how to operate equipment and machinery in a safe manner.


• Monitors and shares supplies and resources (i.e., pallets, boxes, tape, gloves, fertilizer, etc.) and notifies managers of potential shortages in a timely manner.


• Assists with keeping work areas and the overall appearance of the nursery clean and organized.


• Ensures keys and lock codes are protected and used only for business purposes.


• Demonstrates a willingness to learn new tasks and take on individual responsibilities.


• Oversee all personnel – including labour contractors, fixed term contracts, temporary & permanent employees.


• Demonstrates respectful communication and interactions with colleagues, and subordinates, inter-departmental crew, other team leaders, and managers alike.


• Motivates employees to do their best work by being positive and offering encouragement.


• Encourages employees to contribute ideas and suggestions to improve the operation of the nursery.


• Attends and participates in weekly meetings.


• Assists with tracking attendance. Ensures break periods start and end on time.


• Assists with performance reviews as needed.

REQUIRED EDUCATION, KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND TRAINING:

• Good attendance and work performance at Fall Creek Nursery.


• Extensive knowledge of the company operation, processes, and standards.


• Commitment to safety and maintaining a positive work environment.


• Willingness to learn English.  Note: Once an employee is promoted to a team leader position, the employee must demonstrate continual improvement in their English language skills.  All team leaders must be able to communicate and understand English to maintain team leader status.


• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.


• Ability to multi-task and prioritize work.


• Ability to get along and work well with a diverse group of people.


• Knowledge and training in the equipment and machinery used.


• Assures the highest level of confidentiality on sensitive matters concerning the nursery.


• Proficiency in Excel, Microsoft Word and Outlook

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Minimum of grade 12.


• Horticultural / plant knowledge.


• National Diploma (Agri) or Relevant Qualification will be an advantage.


• Bilingual and language skills in both English and Afrikaans.


• Previous experience in an agricultural or nursery environment

Who is Fall Creek? – Please go check out our Website & You Tube Videos

We are a US-based company with a keen focus on blueberry genetics, plants, and grower support delivered to the world’s premier blueberry growers. From our humble beginnings in Lowell, Oregon more than 40 years ago, we now also have our own nurseries in Mexico, Peru, Spain, Netherlands, South Africa, and China. Additionally, we have built a dynamic team of global experts in various areas of expertise, including the finest breeders, researchers, propagators and nursery professionals, grower support technicians, sales and customer service experts and more. We’re a deeply planted link in a global chain, ready to serve our customers and our industry throughout North, Central, and South America, Greater Europe, and South Africa. Our mission is to serve the growers and to support the blueberry industry, helping to ensure growers maximize success through our delivery of the best genetics and plants, technical know-how and global market intelligence.

To fulfill our mission, we focus on cultivating exceptional plants, building strong relationships and providing responsive customer service. This is all part of how we’re helping to build A World with Better Blueberries™.  

We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company.
 

Fall Creek Farm & Nursery® offers a competitive salary and benefit package for this role. This position is office bound, but will require the candidate to be available to work in a nursery setting, and/or support the production team over weekends on a rotational basis.
 

We can’t wait to hear from you!
 

For consideration, please send the following related documents in support of your application for this role,

• Personal CV/ resume (including recent references)


• Copy of ID


• Copy of - Qualification & Education Records

** Incomplete applications will not be considered.

All Applications will close by 30 November 2026  and any applications received after this date will not be considered. 

Please check or arrange whether you have access to a desktop of electronic device that we would be able to hold a virtual meeting, as part of the interview process