Camping
Hendrik SMJ Marx
Farmer And Executive
Paarl
Summary
Dynamic HR Director with a proven track record at Century Electrical, enhancing employee performance through innovative training programs and strategic HR initiatives. Expert in budget management and labor management, successfully fostering a collaborative work environment while implementing sustainable practices that improved operational efficiency and employee satisfaction.
Knowledgeable farm owner with strong background in farm management and sustainable agriculture practices. Successfully implemented small crop rotation and soil conservation techniques to enhance productivity and land health. Demonstrated expertise in game stock care, greenhouse planting and farm equipment maintenance, ensuring optimal farm operations.
Decisive Farmer possessing in-depth knowledge of various farming procedures, horticultural techniques and farm finance management protocols. Results-oriented individual polished in maintaining farming supply inventory and supervising employees in completing daily operational tasks. Versatile and communicative collaborator offering 10 years of experience overseeing daily operations of 705-hectare farm. Expertise in controlling expenses within budget and operating and maintaining farm equipment.
Overview
31
31
years of professional experience
Work History
Farm Owner
Self-employed
08.2016 - 11.2024
- Oversaw farm maintenance ensuring all structures/equipment were kept in good working order to prevent downtime delays.
- Cultivated strong relationships with suppliers to ensure timely delivery of high-quality seeds, fertilizers, and other essential inputs at competitive prices.
- Expanded the farm's market presence through strategic partnerships with local food retailers like the Spar's and fresh food markets in Gauteng like RSA and Noordvaal.
- Conducted regular assessments of land quality through soil testing methods resulting in better-informed decisions about crop selection/planting schedules.
- Created a positive work culture that attracted and retained high-quality employees, resulting in low staff turnover rates.
- Increased crop yields by implementing sustainable farming practices and advanced irrigation systems.
- Recruited and trained staff, and supervised seasonal staff to ensure proper care of crops, livestock and tasks during peak periods.
- Enhanced livestock health and productivity with meticulous attention to nutrition, breeding, and disease prevention strategies.
- Managed accommodation with luxury tented camp, cottages and private campsite through private bookings, bookings.com, SA Venues, Lekkeslaap - including regular staff training.
- Collaborated with agricultural extension agents to stay current on industry best practices, regulatory changes, and emerging technologies.
- Managed farm operations for optimal efficiency, streamlining processes and reducing labor costs.
- Established a successful agritourism program to generate additional income and promote the farm's brand through booked game drives and experiencing farm activities.
- Developed comprehensive farm safety protocols to minimize accidents and maintain a safe working environment.
- Optimized resource usage by investing in energy-efficient equipment and water conservation measures.
- Maintained accurate financial records for budgeting purposes, enabling informed decision-making regarding operational investments.
- Visited fields, greenhouses and game camps regularly to inspect and estimate maturity dates of crops to harvest and game improvement. Visited regularly guests for maintained and improved service.
- Trained and supervised farmhands in proper use of farm equipment and safety protocols.
- Enforced proper storage of crops, fertilizers and materials used in agricultural production.
- Monitored livestock health and administered medication and vaccinations at established intervals.
- Developed and implemented efficient irrigation systems to maximize production.
- Maintained and repaired various farming equipment where I am capable.
- Utilized chemical and non-chemical methods to protect crops from weeds and pests. The citrus orchard was handled via organic methods, irrigation and fertilizing.
- Selected and purchased supplies and equipment such as seed, farm machinery, and livestock.
- Monitored weather conditions and adjusted irrigation and crop schedules accordingly.
- Researched pests and diseases common to individual types of stock and developed mitigation plans.
- Performed repairs and preventive maintenance on equipment and property.
- Fed and watered over 600 animals according to strict feeding schedules and dietary needs.
- Used skills to grow new plants from seeds, clippings, bulbs and clone-cubes.
- Maintained tidy, clean and well-organized greenhouse for optimal productivity and professionalism.
- Set up and managed plant irrigation systems to maintain optimal flows to different types of plants.
- Maintained ranch records and documentation.
- Budgeted equipment purchases and regular repairs.
- Maximized operational profits by closely inspecting crops, assessing quality, and identifying problems such as disease or insects.
- Enforced strong safety and environmental protections to support habitats while preventing harm to employees or consumers.
- Placed supply orders, restocked supplies and merchandised products for purchase by customers.
- Consulted with horticultural experts to assess operational strengths and weaknesses and plan enhancements to meet changing demands.
- Hired new ranch hands and livestock handlers seasonally.
- Know the standards, inspections and practices of Global Gap. We were in the process to apply it to supply In2Foods. I sold the farm.
HR Director
Century Electrical & Elegance Joint Venture
02.2000 - 08.2016
- Started as HR Manager and promoted to Director 2003.
- Introduced innovative training programs that enhanced skillset among staff members and improved overall performance levels within the organization.
- Collaborated with executive leadership team to develop long-term HR strategies aligned with business objectives.
- Assessing employees' performance for internal and external development and ratings.
- Directed benefits administration process, leading to increased employee understanding and utilization of available offerings.
- Strengthened employer brand through targeted recruitment through marketing aimed at attracting top-tier candidates.
- Managed employee relations issues with care and confidentiality, maintaining trust with staff members while resolving conflicts effectively.
- Established strong relationships with both employees and management teams, fostering a collaborative work environment.
- Spearheaded leadership development programs to support the growth and advancement of high-potential employees.
- Invested in development opportunities for the workforce team, fostering continuous learning and improvement.
- Implemented performance management systems that supported employee development and organizational success.
- Facilitated regular communication channels between management and employees to promote transparency and engagement.
- Oversaw talent acquisition efforts, ensuring alignment with company values and growth strategies.
- Evaluated compensation structures and policies, ensuring competitive positioning within the market and internal equity among staff members.
- Ensured legal compliance in all HR practices, mitigating potential risks related to employment law violations or disputes with the assistance of a contracted law firm.
- attended CCMA meetings and litigations when necessary.
- Supported organizational change initiatives by guiding employees through periods of transition, minimizing disruption to productivity.
- Directed hiring and onboarding programs for new employees.
- Educated employees on company policy and kept employee handbook current.
- Provided updates on HR policy changes to employees to satisfy compliance and state laws.
- Structured compensation and benefits according to market conditions and budget demands.
- Recommended appropriate resolutions to employee relations concerns and handled disciplinary issues and investigations of misconduct.
- Conducted investigations and assisted with handling employee complaints involving Affirmative Action and EEOC to promote equitable workplace.
- Enhanced team workflows and employee job satisfaction by coordinating communication between managers and employees.
- Worked with managers to achieve compliance with organizational policies, providing clarifying information and recommending necessary changes.
- Identified and implemented appropriate strategies to increase employee satisfaction and retention.
- Discovered and resolved complex employee issues that affected management and business decisions.
- Facilitated successful policy implementation and enforcement to maintain legal and operational compliance.
- Distributed employee engagement surveys to identify areas of improvement.
- Fostered positive work environment through comprehensive employee relations program.
- Collaborated with legal and compliance teams to review paperwork, obtain feedback, and procure available information for new training processes.
- Instructed senior leaders on appropriate employee corrective steps.
- Updated training processes by reviewing existing documentation, leveraging feedback from associates and working with legal and compliance teams.
- Devised hiring and recruitment policies for 116-employee company.
National Manager
Finance Mart
02.1998 - 01.2000
- Operated within budgetary constraints, participated in development of annual budget forecasts and reconciled operating budget.
- Provided analytical rationale to identify, develop and implement activities within allocated account base.
- Complied with policies and quality standards to maintain consistency in quality of services.
- Identified staff requirements for training purposes of consultants with managers and worked with human resource department to initiate recruitment and training processes.
- Collaborated with business managers in partner planning process to develop mutual performance objectives for companies and their employees, meeting financial targets and critical milestones.
- Managed, supported and grew business relationships with existing accounts and developed strategies to increase sales and revenue.
- Drove performance improvements across all departments by setting clear performance benchmarks tied to specific KPIs (Key Performance Indicators).
- Launched new product lines successfully by collaborating closely with cross-functional teams and external partners.
- Managed a team of 110+ employees, providing leadership and direction to achieve company goals.
- Directed the acquisition of new accounts while maintaining excellent client retention rates through exceptional service delivery.
- Implemented cost-saving measures, reducing overall expenses without compromising quality or performance.
- Championed best practices in project management, ensuring timely completion of projects within budget constraints.
- Streamlined operations for improved efficiency by conducting thorough process analysis and optimization.
- Spearheaded innovative initiatives that led to significant improvements in operational efficiency and productivity levels.
- Enhanced employee engagement through the implementation of targeted training programs tailored to individual needs.
- Collaborated closely with internal stakeholders to align sales targets with broader organizational objectives consistently.
- Developed strong relationships with key clients such as Alusaf and Samcor, resulting in increased customer satisfaction and repeat business.
- Increased national sales by developing and implementing effective marketing strategies.
- Trained and mentored junior staff members, fostering professional development and enhancing overall team performance.
- Provided strong leadership to enhance team productivity and morale.
- Held monthly meetings to create business plans and workshops to drive successful business.
- Boosted team member productivity by enhancing performance monitoring and instituting motivational approaches.
Small Business Co-Owner
M-Setek Cables
01.1994 - 12.1998
- Instrumentation and Fibre Optic cable suppliers to various industries.
- Agent for ATC (African Telecommunication Cables) in Brits.
- Underwent training in instrumentation cables and fibre optic cables.
- Source businesses in need of instrumentation cables.
- Expanded product offerings to meet customer demands while maintaining high quality products and standards.
- Enhanced business operations for greater efficiency through streamlining processes and implementing new sales methods.
- Developed marketing strategies to attract new clients and increase revenue. No social media was available then, only local advertising and a lot of phone calls (cold calls).
- Optimized store layout for efficient use of space while maintaining an inviting atmosphere that encouraged customer browsing and purchases.
- Managed day-to-day operations of the small business, overseeing personnel schedules and personally handling customer inquiries as needed.
- Increased brand visibility within the community by participating in local events and partnering with other businesses for collaborative promotions.
- Implemented inventory management system for better organization and tracking of products, reducing waste and increasing profitability.
- Developed succession planning strategies to ensure the continued success and growth of the small business, even in times of transition or unforeseen challenges.
- Managed financial aspects of the business, including budgeting, bookkeeping, and tax preparation.
- Collaborated with co-owner on critical decision-making regarding business growth opportunities and strategic partnerships.
- Established strong relationships with vendors to negotiate favorable pricing, ensuring cost-effective purchasing decisions.
- Consulted with customers to assess needs and propose optimal solutions for different applications.
- Interacted well with customers to build connections and nurture relationships.
- Managed purchasing, sales, marketing and customer account operations efficiently.
- Implemented business strategies, increasing revenue, and effectively targeting new markets.
- Negotiated price and service with manufacturers and customers to decrease expenses and increase profit.
- Identified and qualified customer needs and negotiated and closed profitable projects with high success rate.
- Tracked trends and suggested enhancements to both challenge and refine company's product offerings.
- Some of our client base were such as Genref, Alusaf, Katze Dam, Iscor, JC Groenewald, mines, etc.
Education
Management Development Diploma -
Damelin
Johannesburg, South Africa 04.2001 -
General Management Development Diploma -
Pretoria Technikon
04.2001 -
Skills
Food safety regulations
Crop management
Regenerative farming methods
Organic Farming
Water management
Labor management
Seed selection
Sustainable agriculture
Horticulture techniques
Fertilizer application
Irrigation systems
Composting techniques
Pest control
Greenhouse management
Farm diversification
Farm operations management
Harvesting
Irrigation techniques
Customer relations
Safety procedures
Budget management
Organizational management
Time management
Harvest planning
Interests
Professional Hunting
Mountain biking, golf, padel
I enjoy mountain biking very much.
I play golf occasionally when invited - 12.1 handicap index
I play padel when time is available and when we can play 4 people. I enjoy padel also
Timeline
Farm Owner
Self-employed
08.2016 - 11.2024
Management Development Diploma -
Damelin
04.2001 -
General Management Development Diploma -
Pretoria Technikon
04.2001 -
HR Director
Century Electrical & Elegance Joint Venture
02.2000 - 08.2016
National Manager
Finance Mart
02.1998 - 01.2000
Small Business Co-Owner
M-Setek Cables
01.1994 - 12.1998