Regional Property Manager: Free State - VKB Properties, Head Office Reitz

Regional Property Portfolio Manager

Introduction to the VKB Group

The VKB Group is an agricultural company providing support to farmers and producing straight-from-the-farm foods for consumers. Apart from its various consumer brands, the VKB Group is also represented by its regional brands: VKB, GWK and NTK.

Our roots are firmly planted in agriculture, with farming at our core, continuously growing and evolving throughout the years. Starting with providing everything needed on the farm to produce food, we now operate across the entire food supply chain, including processing, logistics, storage, handling and national and international market channels.

This "house of brands", established with the support of our farmer shareholders, forms the foundation for building the agribusiness of the future.

More About VKB Group Properties

The VKB Group owns and manages a diverse portfolio of agricultural, industrial, commercial, retail, storage, and operational properties across the Free State. These properties are critical to supporting the Group's operations and long-term growth strategy.

From grain handling facilities and storage infrastructure to offices, workshops, operational sites, and commercial properties, our portfolio supports every step of the agricultural value chain. Managing these assets requires balancing operational needs, infrastructure investment, compliance, asset preservation, and long-term value creation.

The Property Division plays a vital role in ensuring that our facilities remain safe, efficient, financially sustainable, and capable of supporting the future growth of the VKB Group.

Regional Property Portfolio Manager

Why This Role Matters?

The VKB Group's property portfolio is far more than a collection of buildings; it is a strategic business asset that enables the movement, processing, storage, and distribution of agricultural products across the Free State.

As Regional Property Portfolio Manager, you will serve as the custodian of a significant property portfolio that supports the Group's agricultural and commercial operations. You will be responsible for protecting, maintaining, improving, and optimising these assets while guiding investments that support future growth.

You will influence property strategy, lead infrastructure upgrades, manage capital projects, oversee facilities management, and help ensure that our properties continue to deliver long-term value to the business.

This is a rare opportunity to combine property portfolio management, facilities leadership, infrastructure development, and strategic asset management within one of South Africa's leading agricultural organisations.

Why Join VKB?

Joining the VKB Group means becoming part of a business that plays a meaningful role in supporting agriculture, food production, and rural economic development.

At VKB, you will have the opportunity to:

• Manage a diverse and strategically important property portfolio across the Free State.
• Influence long-term property and infrastructure investment decisions.
• Lead capital improvement and development projects that create lasting business value.
• Collaborate with operational, engineering, financial, and executive stakeholders.
• Drive asset optimisation initiatives that directly impact business performance.
• Work in an environment that values accountability, innovation, integrity, and continuous improvement.
• Grow your career within one of Southern Africa's leading agribusiness groups.

What Success Looks Like?

Success in this role means:

• The VKB Group's property portfolio remains safe, compliant, efficient, and fit for purpose.
• Capital projects are successfully delivered within approved budgets and timelines.
• Asset maintenance and preservation strategies protect long-term property value.
• Facilities support operational excellence across the Group's Free State footprint.
• Property-related risks are proactively identified and mitigated.
• Stakeholders trust your recommendations regarding property investments and infrastructure planning.
• Assets continue to support operational growth while maximising long-term return on investment.

Who Are We Looking For? (Ideal Candidate Profile)

We are seeking a commercially minded property professional who understands how property assets contribute to business performance, operational efficiency, and long-term value creation.

The ideal candidate:

• Has extensive experience managing property portfolios, facilities, infrastructure, or construction projects.
• Understands both the technical and commercial aspects of property management.
• Thinks strategically while maintaining a strong operational focus.
• Has the ability to manage multiple projects and priorities simultaneously.
• Builds strong relationships with stakeholders, contractors, consultants, and service providers.
• Takes ownership and accountability for property performance.
• Enjoys solving complex infrastructure and property-related challenges.
• Can confidently balance short-term operational requirements with long-term asset sustainability.

Qualifications

• A degree in Quantity Surveying, Property Studies, Facilities Management, Construction Management, Civil Engineering, Building Sciences or a related field.

• Professional registration with a relevant professional body will be advantageous.

Essential Experience

• 8-10 years' relevant experience in property management, facilities management, quantity surveying, construction project management, asset management, or infrastructure development.
• Proven experience managing large and diverse property portfolios.
• Experience leading capital projects from planning through completion.
• Sound knowledge of property maintenance and asset lifecycle management.
• Experience developing project budgets, cost estimates, procurement documentation, and tender processes.
• Experience managing lease agreements and landlord relationships.
• Experience managing contractors, consultants, and external service providers.
• Sound understanding of construction methodologies and building practices.
• Knowledge of SANS 10400 and other applicable building regulations.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office.
• Proficiency in WinQS and DimensionX.
• Valid driver's licence and own reliable vehicle.
• Willingness to travel extensively throughout the Free State and surrounding operational regions.

Competencies

• Strategic Thinking
• Property Portfolio Management
• Facilities Management
• Project Management
• Asset Management
• Financial and Commercial Acumen
• Budget Management
• Contract Administration
• Negotiation and Influencing
• Stakeholder Management
• Risk Management
• Planning and Organising
• Analytical Thinking
• Problem Solving
• Communication and Relationship Building

Skills Required

• Property and Asset Management
• Facilities Management
• Infrastructure Management
• Capital Project Management
• Construction Management
• Budgeting and Financial Control
• Procurement and Tender Administration
• Contract Management
• Lease Management
• Maintenance Planning
• Asset Lifecycle Planning
• Regulatory Compliance
• Microsoft Office Suite
• WinQS
• DimensionX
• Report Writing and Documentation

Key Responsibilities

Property Portfolio Management

• Manage and optimise the VKB Group's Free State property portfolio.
• Develop and implement asset preservation and maintenance strategies.
• Monitor asset performance and identify opportunities for portfolio improvement.
• Support long-term property planning and investment initiatives.
• Manage lease agreements, renewals, negotiations, and landlord relationships.
• Ensure properties remain compliant, productive, and fit for purpose.

Facilities & Infrastructure Management

• Oversee facilities management activities across multiple sites.
• Develop preventative maintenance programmes and infrastructure improvement plans.
• Ensure facilities support operational requirements and business objectives.
• Monitor building conditions and recommend maintenance, refurbishment, or replacement initiatives.
• Promote safe and efficient working environments across the portfolio.

Capital Projects & Property Development

• Lead property development, infrastructure, and capital improvement projects.
• Manage project scope, budgets, procurement processes, and contractor performance.
• Prepare Bills of Quantities, Scopes of Work, and tender documentation.
• Monitor project quality, timelines, costs, and compliance requirements.
• Ensure all work complies with SANS 10400 and relevant legislation.
• Prepare final project reports and close-out documentation.

Contractor & Stakeholder Management

• Develop and maintain strong relationships with contractors, consultants, landlords, suppliers, and service providers.
• Negotiate contracts and service agreements.
• Coordinate stakeholders across multiple business units and operational locations.
• Support regional facilities personnel and operational management teams.
• Ensure service providers consistently deliver agreed standards and outcomes.

Strategic Asset & Investment Support

• Identify opportunities to improve asset performance and property utilisation.
• Support the assessment of new property investments and development opportunities.
• Contribute to infrastructure planning and long-term property strategy.
• Provide recommendations that support sustainable growth and portfolio optimisation.

Important Information for Applicants

VKB Group reserves the right to close or withdraw any vacancy at its discretion. All personal information submitted through the Career Portal will be used solely for recruitment purposes and, where applicable, for matters related to employment.

As an equal opportunity employer, VKB Group is committed to Employment Equity, transformation, and the inclusion of People with Disabilities. Our recruitment decisions are aligned with the VKB Group Employment Equity Plan and Transformation Strategy.

When applying, please ensure that:

• You use Google Chrome to access the Career Portal.
• You upload a clear and professional CV in PDF or Word format only.
• Your CV does not contain handwritten notes or markings.
• Supporting documents such as your ID, driver's licence, certificates, or other documentation are uploaded in the designated sections and not combined with your CV.
• Your profile photo meets the minimum size requirement of 300 × 300 pixels.

A Note on Honesty and Integrity

As part of the application process, you will be required to complete a screening questionnaire. We strongly encourage all candidates to answer every question honestly and accurately.

At VKB Group, our culture is rooted in the values of being Humble, Hungry, Smart, Bold, and Playing as One Team. We believe in building authentic relationships and making sound decisions based on trust and integrity. Misrepresenting qualifications, experience, competencies, criminal history, or any other information may result in your application being withdrawn or your employment being terminated should discrepancies be identified during verification processes.

We respect your time and ask that you respect ours by providing truthful information throughout the recruitment process. This helps ensure that we focus on candidates who are genuinely aligned with the requirements of the role and the values of our organisation.