Jacques Fourie

1. Founding (See attached Avinier Profile)

• Founded the Company in 2015
• Pioneered blueberry farming as one of the few farmers in South Africa.
• Established the company complete as per governmental requirements.
• Drafting of Business Plans, Executive summaries and creating data rooms for investors.

2. Expansion

• Raised US12m through a Cayman Based Fund to expand farm from 75 000 trees to 275 000 trees.
• Negotiating, reviewing and finalization of all contractual documents incl shareholders agreements, loan documentation and guarantees.
• Establishment of an EXCON with Reserve Bank to enable Fructify to receive and repay foreign currency to/from funders.
• Registering of various local and international entities for purpose of expansion and product export.
• Obtained import and export licenses.
• Planning and Execution of Expansion project in time and on budget.
• Constructed and established export pack house, facilitating streamlined operations for product distribution.
• Exported fruit to more than 8 different companies and mayor supermarkets incl Woolworths, Sainsbury, Mark and Spencer, Tesco, Waitrose and many more.

3. Environmental, Social and Governance

• Oversee the creation and implementation of an ESG plan into company together with team.
• Tracked progress of critical tasks and implementation of environmental risk contorls. (Incl obtaining carbon points)
• Oversee the drafting and implementing of ESG procedures and policies.
• Achieved platinum status on SIZA and GG platforms and earned recognition as Woolworths farmer for the future.

4. Human Resources

• Managed and oversaw more than 200 employees during expansion, ensuring operational efficiency and workforce alignment.
• Oversee and managed more than 400 pickers annually during the peak of our harvest season.
• Implementation of Agrigistics Biometrix system together with HR Team.
• Overview, calculations and payment of monthly payroll incl overtime, leave, UIF, SDL, PAYE deductions.
• Oversee the implementation and running of Employee Contracts.
• Oversee and Approve Employment Equity Plans incl tracking of training targets that needed to be met.
• Drafted and implemented Social Impact Reports, incorporating recommendations to enhance employee well-being.
• Established an on-site clinic for employees from rural areas.
• Handling of employee disputes, concerns and disciplinaries incl CCMA and DOL proceedings.
• Oversee the submission of annual legislative documents incl Workmans Compensation, Employment Payroll Summaries and Employment Equity quaterly reports.

5. Procurement

• Oversee the implementation of Company procurement system incl reporting on cash flows.
• Oversee and Implement procurement software (Xero and Pastel).
• Allocation of expenditure on a monthly basis.
• Reporting to funds on a weekly basis regarding capex, opex and income status.

6. Quality Control

• Oversee and implemented various food safety quality systems including Global Gap, Field2Fork, Muddy Boots, Tesco Nuture and SIZA.
• Oversee, monitor, review and implementation of changes where required to daily data captured incl temperature, water usage, fertilizer usage, resource allocation, planned tasks and general works.

7. Financial

• Prepared monthly management reports to provide insights on operational performance.
• Annual Financial Reports
• Creating and Updating Cash Flows
• Managed invoicing processes to ensure timely billing and payment collection.
• Control of CFF Accounts (Foreign Exchange Accounts)
• Reporting back to stakeholders on Company financial position
• Repayment of Loans on time.
• Secured trade finance to enhance working capital.
• Oversee Financial Team

Director Duties

• Responsible for all Fiduciary Duties
• Responsible for all Statutory Duties -These include ensuring compliance with South African laws and company documents:

a. Ensure compliance with the Companies Act, tax laws, labour laws, environmental laws, etc.

b. Maintain proper financial records and ensure submission of annual returns to CIPC

c. Ensure the preparation and accuracy of annual financial statements

d. Keep accurate company records and minutes

e. Operate within the powers of the Memorandum of Incorporation

• Act responsible in times of Financial Distress
• Ensure Good Corporate Governance.
• Improved company performance by streamlining operational processes.
• Oversaw financial operations for fiscal control and profitability.
• Directed complex projects to successful completion.
• Identified market trends, leading to business expansion opportunities.
• Managed crisis situations with strategic planning.
• Facilitated training programmes to improve employee skills and capabilities.
• Secured new clients through targeted marketing campaigns.

Founded company from inception, outlining vision and mission.

• Founded the Company in 2007
• Build the Company from US0 to US15m per year company within 5 years.
• Registered the company, completed all statuary documentation and applied for vendors at all mayor mining entities.

2. Sales and Tenders

• Acquired new clients through targeted outreach and relationship building.
• Completed quotes and complex tenders.
• Sourced material pricing from various suppliers.
• Compiled presentations and completed bid clarification meetings.
• Negotiated and secured construction contracts, primarily FIDIC Yellow/Red and JBCC, enhancing project delivery capabilities.

3. Project Execution

• Obtained trade finance for projects based on project requirements.
• Arranged retention - and performance bonds through various underwriters as per project requirements.
• Drafted and Finalized Project plan complete with resource allocation prior to commencing project.
• Hired required personnel for specific construction project.
• Organized training, medicals, inductions and necessary safety requirements for teams to establish site.
• Set up of Site Office and Laydown areas.
• Obtained, reviewed, discussed and finalized site drawings with clients, engineers and designers.

4. Procurement

• Assisted in budget development with procurement department as per project requirements.
• Oversaw material procurement, ensured availability when needed.
• Managed materials procurement, resulting in efficient workflow.
• Controlled project costs by efficiently managing materials procurement process.
• Collaborated effectively with suppliers for seamless procurement process.
• Managed budget constraints whilst ensuring high quality costume procurement.
• Ensured proper delivery, laydown and storage of material on site to make material easily accessible to erection crews.
• Tracking of material cost with Procurement Department to ensure that project stays within budget and to ensure sufficient cash flow for future purchased.

5. Human Resources

• Managed over 250 employees per site while overseeing multiple simultaneous projects, peaking at over 400 employees on the books.
• Managed human resources efficiently to ensure round-the-clock availability of essential services at the station.
• Dealt with employee requests regarding human resources issues, resulting in increased job satisfaction.
• Prepared payroll tax documentation, liaising with accounting and human resources personnel to gather required data.
• Collaborated with human resources department for smooth onboarding of new hires from a health standpoint.
• Collaborated closely with human resources to manage staff recruitment and retention strategies effectively.
• Ensured legal compliance in all human resources processes and procedures.
• Liaised closely with Human Resources department, streamlined timekeeping procedures across the organisation.
• Developed robust systems for record-keeping which significantly reduced paperwork in Human Resources Department.

Oversaw financial operations across multiple projects.

• Completed various projects all around Africa incl South Africa, Namibia, Botswana, Zambia, Mozambique, Congo and Sierra-Leone.
• Dealt with currency exchanges, foreign exchange invoicing, withholding taxes and customs costs.
• Ensured that projects stayed on budget.
• Discussed, negotiated and implemented work change orders where necessary.
• Worked closely with Quantity Surveyors to raise monthly claims and invoice accordingly.
• Monthly management reports
• Annual Financial Statements
• Compiling and following cash flow sheets per project.
• Overseeing material- and personnel resources and costs to ensure profitability.
• Led team for successful fiscal year-end closing procedures.
• Streamlined financial processes through implementation of new software systems, resulting in improved reporting accuracy.
• Produced accurate and timely financial reports for informed decision making.
• Managed complex audits, resulting in improved transparency and accountability.
• Maintained KPI reporting tools for accurate, up-to-date financial data for decision-making.
• Reviewed bookkeeping and management accounts to achieve clear and correct reports.

7. Safety

• Implemented an OSHAS Safety system.
• Started a safety company (MSHEQ) to handle all the company safety requirements which we later sold.
• Conducted risk assessments, reducing potential hazards in the workplace with team.
• Enforced strict adherence to health and safety guidelines across all departments.
• Updated company-wide procedures with current industry-specific safety requirements.
• Established open channels of communication for employees' queries regarding safety concerns.
• Monitored employee performance for maximum adherence to safety procedures.
• Fostered a safe working environment by regularly reviewing operational practices.
• Supported cost and quantity estimations for improved work schedule planning.

Conducted site inspections to ensure compliance with quality standards.

• Reading of Drawings to ensure compliance with Engineering specifications.
• Site set out with Surveyor and obtaining approvals from client.
• Resource-, material-, moving equipment and tool allocation per team per working area.
• Organised regular meetings for clear communication of expectations and progress updates.
• Conducted regular inspections, ensuring adherence to quality standards.
• Scheduled daily tasks to streamline workflow.
• Promoted safe working practices, minimising risk of injuries on-site.
• Liaised regularly with clients to provide status updates and gather feedback.
• Met and exceeded budgetary goals, monitoring site to ensure adequate manpower and resources.
• Managed delivery and shipment of supplies required for projects.
• Supervised specialist sub-contractors by providing thorough induction and delegating tasks.
• Briefed teams on daily task requirements to meet project targets.

Executed marketing campaigns to attract new clients.

• Secured new clients through targeted marketing campaigns.
• Negotiated profitable contracts, increasing company revenue.
• Developed effective business strategies for sustained growth.
• Orchestrated large-scale events to enhance brand visibility.
• Maintained organisational compliance with applicable legislation and regulations.
• Put in place clear controls for financial administration and business management.