Benjamin van Niekerk

• Evaluate business in agricultural production and export industry to initiate, establish and optimize business development strategies based on company targets, product specifications, market data, and budget factors.
• Meet with over 75 possible new clients to understand needs, develop proactive solutions and identify new opportunities.
• Execute marketing plans and establish sale objectives that achieve targets for increased revenue.
• Continually maintain and improve company's reputation and positive image in New Zealand, South Africa and Namibia.
• Develop and maintain high quality relationships with customers and partners in industry, including associations, governmental organizations, institutions, etc.
• Write and distribute local insights and news reports to contribute to company's market intelligence services.
• Assist with negotiations, sales closings and ensure that supplier agreements are executed.
• Collaborate with sales, delivery and service teams to manage seamless client experiences and achieve sales goals.
• Conduct market research to identify new opportunities and target markets.
• Do sight visits as part of supplier validation and quality control.

• Evaluated employee performance and conveyed constructive feedback to improve skills.
• Recruited, interviewed and hired employees and implemented mentoring program to promote positive feedback and engagement.
• Trained personnel in equipment maintenance and enforced participation in exercises focused on developing key skills.
• Developed detailed plans based on broad guidance and direction.
• Established performance goals for employees and provided feedback on methods for reaching those milestones.
• Improved staffing during busy periods by creating employee schedules and monitoring call-outs.
• Used industry expertise, customer service skills and analytical nature to resolve customer concerns and promote loyalty.
• Established team priorities, maintained schedules and monitored performance.
• Streamlined and monitored quality programs to alleviate overdue compliance activities.
• Cultivated positive rapport with fellow employees to boost company morale and promote employee retention.
• Successfully managed budgets and allocated resources to maximize productivity and profitability.
• Controlled resources and assets for department activities to comply with industry standards and government regulations.

• Developed sustainable and organic vegetable planting programs, crop rotation disciplines, new fruit orchards and healthy animal husbandry unit to optimize potential of this community-based lifestyle estate.
• Compiled and analyzed data to determine approaches to improve sales directly to end-use customers in form of box- and community support agricultural schemes and direct on-farm sales to public in form of farmers' markets.
• Built relationships with customers and community to establish long-term business growth.
• Maintained financial controls, planned farming operations and control expenses while identifying and pursuing opportunities to grow business operations and boost profits.
• Identified and pursued new business opportunities in form of Agri-tourism to generate new company revenue and improve bottom line profit.
• Increased profit margins by effectively controlling budget and overhead and optimizing product turns.
• Compiled product and customer data to generate informed profit projections.
• Taught organic farming production techniques to new and existing staff members to build expertise.
• Generated new business with marketing initiatives and strategic plans.
• Implemented systems and procedures to increase farm efficiency and productivity.

• Led team of 36 skilled and unskilled farm personnel in production of 250ha of brasicas.
• Enforced strong safety and environmental protections to support habitats while preventing harm to employees or consumers.
• Developed advanced understanding of farm operations, purchasing needs, and labor requirements.
• Planned schedule for crop rotation, plantings, and harvest.
• Analyzed soil to measure pH, minerals and organics to judge best fertilizer and amendments for maximum crop production.
• Used skills to grow new cauliflower and cabbage plants from seedlings.
• Performed repairs and preventive maintenance on equipment and property.
• Researched pests and diseases common to individual types of stock and developed mitigation plans.
• Managed operational records, administrative needs and marketing plans to promote business and strengthen revenue streams.
• Consulted with horticultural experts to assess operational strengths and weaknesses and plan enhancements to meet changing demands.
• Set up and managed plant irrigation systems to maintain optimal flows to different types of plants.
• Optimized growth and development at every stage and moved finished plants to sales displays for customer viewing.
• Hired, trained and supervised seasonal workers engaged in cultivation and harvest.
• Worked closely with employees to improve practices, techniques and safety choices, optimizing performance, and minimizing waste.
• Developed operational budget and monitored farm expenses to enforce and achieve budget adherence.
• Coordinated inventories of seeds, chemicals, plant nutrients and tools to achieve business targets.
• Budgeted equipment purchases and regular repairs.

• Managed all aspects of farming entity, including operational records, administrative, financial tasks and marketing plans to promote business and strengthen revenue streams in production of Organic Table Grapes, Vegetables and Citrus.
• Managing 3 farm managers and 150-member team of pack-house staff and orchard personal to successfully grow over 100ha of planted hectares.
• Placed supply orders, restocked supplies and merchandised products for purchase by customers globally, amongst others, UK, EU, USA and Canada.
• Coordinated inventories of seeds, chemicals, plant nutrients and tools to achieve business targets.
• Conducted soil testing to determine nutrient levels and soil composition.
• Maintained and repaired various farming equipment.
• Selected and purchased supplies and equipment such as seed, farm machinery, and livestock.
• Developed and implemented efficient irrigation systems to maximize production.
• Visited fields regularly to inspect and estimate maturity dates of crops and damage due to weather.

Short Course

Registered Securities Trader

Practical Student