Director of Operations

Company:

Our client is a leading agricultural enterprise with ambitious development plans in North Africa. They are now seeking to appoint an Arable Farming Director to lead the development and operational management of a large-scale arable farming complex in Algeria. This is a unique opportunity to play a pivotal leadership role in a landmark project designed to support one of the largest dairy farming operations in the region through the production of high-quality forage crops.

Opportunity:

This is a senior strategic and operational leadership role focused on the design, construction, and management of a large-scale arable farming complex. Reporting directly to the COO, the Arable Farming Director will lead the planning and execution of the farm's layout, irrigation systems, and cropping strategy, and will oversee all operational aspects, including harvesting, storage, seed selection, and crop nutrient management. The operation spans approximately 117,000 hectares and will supply 1.9 million tons of feed annually to support a high-production dairy herd. The successful candidate will be responsible for implementing world-class farming practices, ensuring biosecurity and sustainability, and building and leading a large multicultural workforce to deliver against ambitious production and quality targets.

Responsibilities

:

Strategic Planning and Design

• Lead the design and development of the arable farming complex in collaboration with consultants, engineers, agronomists, hydrogeologists, and other specialists to ensure optimal integration with dairy operations and processing facilities.
• Oversee construction to ensure timely, on-budget, and high-quality delivery.

Operational Leadership

• Develop and execute strategies for establishing and expanding the farm's production capabilities, including CAPEX and OPEX planning.
• Implement cropping plans and irrigation strategies to achieve high-yield, sustainable production of forage crops such as corn silage and alfalfa.
• Manage large-scale harvest and storage operations to maintain quality and reduce losses.
• Oversee seed selection and nutrient management programs to optimize soil health and productivity.
• Lead pest control programs and ensure biosecurity standards are maintained at the highest level.

Budgeting and Business Planning

• Develop and manage operating and capital budgets for the arable operation.
• Ensure production plans align with company strategy and financial targets, identifying opportunities for cost optimization.

Compliance, Quality, and HSE

• Ensure compliance with all relevant agricultural, environmental, and workplace regulations.
• Promote adherence to health, safety, and environmental standards, driving continuous improvement in operational performance.
• Oversee the development and implementation of quality assurance procedures and standards.

People and Stakeholder Management

• Recruit, train, and lead a large multicultural workforce (approximately 2,000 people).
• Foster a culture of accountability, quality, safety, and continuous improvement.
• Collaborate closely with dairy operations and other internal stakeholders to align arable output with feed requirements.

Candidate Requirements

:

• Bachelor's degree in Agriculture, Agronomy, or related field (Master's degree preferred).
• PMP or relevant Project Management certification.
• 10–15 years' experience in managing large-scale arable farming operations, including proven success at GM or Director level.
• Demonstrated expertise in large-scale pivot irrigation and data-driven decision-making.
• Strong knowledge of agricultural economics and crop production systems.
• Proven experience leading multicultural teams at scale.
• Fluent English required; French essential; Arabic an advantage.
• Strong financial acumen including budgeting and cost management.
• Deep understanding of global agricultural best practices, regulations, and sustainability principles.

Remuneration:

The overall package will be competitive and aligned with international market standards for senior farm management. It will balance the demands of managing a large-scale operation with the need for quality of life and family support. Specific details will be discussed with shortlisted candidates.If you are an experienced agricultural leader ready to take on one of North Africa's most ambitious dairy and arable projects, we encourage you to apply with your resume and a cover letter in Word outlining your qualifications and experience.