About the role

Job Description – Estate Manager (Plantations)

Job Title:

Estate Manager – Plantations

Function:

Plantation Operations

Location:

Estate / Plantation Site

Reporting To:

Regional Manager / General Manager – Plantations

Direct Reports:

Assistant Estate Managers, Field Officers, Supervisors, Block Heads

Role Purpose

The Estate Manager is responsible for end-to-end operational management of the assigned estate(s), ensuring safe, efficient, and cost-effective plantation operations. The role focuses on field execution from crop planning to harvesting, upkeep, evacuation, and compliance, while delivering productivity, BMP adherence, and sustainability outcomes in coordination with cross-functional teams.

Key Accountabilities

Plantation Operations & Crop Management
- Plan and execute annual and monthly plantation operations covering harvesting, pruning, upkeep, manuring, and replanting.
- Ensure harvest quality, cycle discipline, and yield optimization as per agronomy guidelines.
- Monitor block-wise performance and implement corrective actions.
- Ensure timely evacuation of crop from field to collection points or mills.
Harvesting & Field Productivity
- Own daily and weekly harvesting plans, manday deployment, and productivity tracking.
- Ensure harvesting standards, loose fruit recovery, and quality norms are met.
- Optimize labor utilization and reduce field losses.
- Coordinate with HR on manpower availability, attendance, and discipline.
Estate Upkeep & Infrastructure
- Ensure upkeep of roads, drains, terraces, bridges, and field infrastructure.
- Coordinate with Engineering or Workshop teams for machinery availability and maintenance.
- Monitor estate assets and enforce preventive maintenance routines.
Evacuation & Logistics Coordination
- Plan and manage crop evacuation schedules in coordination with transport and logistics teams.
- Minimize evacuation delays and losses.
- Coordinate with workshop and fleet teams to ensure vehicle availability and uptime.
BMP Ownership & Compliance
- Act as primary owner of Best Management Practices (BMP) for assigned estates.
- Ensure BMP implementation across harvesting, upkeep, safety, environment, and labor practices.
- Prepare estates for internal and external audits and close observations within agreed timelines.
Cross-Functional Coordination
- Work closely with Workshop or Engineering, Procurement, HR, and Sustainability or EHS teams.
- Ensure smooth execution of estate operations without disruption.
Cost, Controls & Reporting
- Monitor estate operating costs against budget.
- Identify cost-saving opportunities without compromising productivity or safety.
- Maintain accurate records and submit periodic operational reports.
People Management & Capability Development
- Lead, coach, and develop estate teams and supervisors.
- Build capability in harvesting, upkeep, and operational discipline.
- Enforce safety standards, discipline, and company values.

Key Performance Indicators

Yield and harvest recovery
Harvesting productivity
BMP compliance score
Evacuation efficiency
Cost versus budget
Safety and incident rates

Qualifications & Experience

Degree or Diploma in Agriculture, Plantation Management, or related field.
Hands-on experience in plantation operations (Palm or Rubber preferred).
Strong people and field leadership capability.
Knowledge of BMP and sustainability standards.

Key Competencies

Operational discipline
Planning and execution
Field leadership
Cross-functional coordination
Cost consciousness
Problem solving