Grower Services Manager
Hay Australia
Brookton, Northam & Wheatbelt WA
Purchasing, Procurement & Inventory (Manufacturing, Transport & Logistics)
Full time
Hay Australia
At Hay Australia (part of the AgTrade Group), we're on a mission to build creative and sustainable solutions for people, partners, and global food security. We achieve this by supplying premium hay and straw to dairy, beef, and equine customers across Australia and the world.
We are one of Australia's leading fodder exporters, operating four strategically located processing sites across Australia's broadacre cropping regions, including Western Australian sites at Yerecoin and Brookton. We specialise in processing and exporting high-quality hay and straw products to global markets and are also a significant supplier to Australia's domestic livestock industry. We pride ourselves on maintaining a reliable, year-round supply for our international customers due to our extensive combined processing and storage capacity spread across the country, positioning us as one of Australia's major buyers of fodder.
With a strong global presence, and a focus on our customers, we are seeking a dynamic Grower Services Manager to drive expansion, strengthen our grower base, and foster strong relationships across all fodder supply stakeholders. If you have a passion for agriculture, grower relationships, and commodity purchasing, this could be the perfect opportunity for you
The AgTrade Group
Our parent company, AgTrade, is a global livestock, genetics, and food security group with partnerships with over 15,000 farming and primary production businesses. As a wholly Australian owned, Brisbane based company, we are guided by our vision to "feed the world with purpose, creativity and care".
About the Job
Reporting to the Site Manager, Yerecoin and Brookton, the Grower Services Manager plays a key role within Hay Australia, influencing the company's grower relationships and capacity to purchase fodder, and contributing to its overall success. Working with many internal and external stakeholders, this role requires a leader who can:
* Build, manage, and grow long-term relationships with new and existing growers to secure reliable, high-quality fodder supply, including negotiating price, logistics, and contract administration.
* Lead crop inspections from pre-tillering through to storage, ensuring quality, compliance, traceability, accurate documentation, and early identification/ resolution of issues.
* Analyse seasonal conditions, crop performance, and industry activity to forecast supply and provide timely reporting to internal stakeholders.
* Lead a small seasonal / casual Grower Services team and collaborate closely with national planning, shipping, quality, and inventory teams to support production and business performance.
* Uphold AgTrade values.
This is a full-time permanent position that can be based at either the Hay Australia Yerecoin or Brookton site, with regular travel between them. Significant travel to and between growers is a key component of this role.
Key Responsibilities
The responsibilities and duties of the Grower Services Manager include, but are not limited to:
* Build, strengthen and expand long-term relationships with new and existing growers to secure reliable, high-quality fodder supply.
* Lead a small seasonal / casual Grower Services team, ensuring clear direction, accountability and support.
* Conduct crop and paddock inspections from pre-tillering through harvest and storage, ensuring quality, compliance, sampling, sample preparation and traceability requirements are met.
* Purchase fodder volumes and grades in line with company strategies, negotiating price, storage and logistics arrangements.
* Manage accurate contract administration, documentation, data entry and traceability records.
* Monitor seasonal conditions, crop performance and industry activity, providing reports, forecasts and supply insights to internal stakeholders.
* Identify and help resolve quality issues, contamination risks and non-compliance with export or company standards.
* Collaborate closely with the National Grower Services, Planning, Shipping, Inventory, Quality and Site Operations teams to support production outcomes and business performance.
* Represent Hay Australia positively within local communities and with key stakeholders.
* Comply with and actively contribute to a strong safety culture.
* Live and uphold the AgTrade values in all Hay Australia decisions, actions, and interactions.
About You
Personal attributes, skills and experience that would underpin success in this role include:
Demonstrated experience managing agricultural relationships, with an ability to build rapport quickly and to deepen grower partnerships.
* Strong knowledge of agricultural production – ideally including agronomy and fodder crop systems.
* Experience working within agricultural markets, supply chains and logistics.
* Well-developed negotiation skills underpinned by high commercial acumen.
* Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, and the ability to make decisions on the move.
* Ability to provide analysis of hay and straw market conditions, expected grades and volumes available and the impact of these on prices.
* Excellent communication, interpersonal and stakeholder engagement capabilities with the ability to motivate individuals.
* High attention to detail with strong organisational and time-management skills.
* Proven ability to work both autonomously and collaboratively in a small, high-performing team.
* Comfortable working in dynamic, unpredictable and sometimes high-pressure environments.
* A willingness to fit into a culture of accountability and become part of a small team with a "can-do" attitude.
* Proficiency in Microsoft Office and confidence managing digital records and documentation.
* Existing relationships with local fodder producers (although well regarded, is not essential).
* Current Class C Driver's Licence (essential).
These attributes, skills and experiences highlight the diverse requirements for success in this role. While you may not possess every single skill, a strong combination of grower relationship management, agricultural knowledge, and business acumen is essential.
Why Join Us?
Hay Australia is on the cusp of an exciting growth phase, and this is your chance to be a key player in shaping our future. Join us and directly influence not only your own career trajectory, but the direction of the entire Western Australia Hay Australia business. This role offers significant autonomy once established, allowing you to take ownership and drive meaningful change.
Here's what else makes Hay Australia a great place to work:
* Impactful Work: Contribute directly to our mission of feeding the world with purpose, creativity, and care. Your work will play a vital role in connecting Australian farmers with those who feed livestock, strengthening food security.
* Growth and Development: This role offers significant responsibility and the opportunity to hone your skills in agricultural commodity purchasing, market strategy, and leadership. Develop your career within a dynamic and growing organisation.
* Supportive Culture: Hay Australia, backed by the AgTrade Group, provides the stability and resources of a large organisation while maintaining a dynamic and innovative working environment. We foster a supportive and collaborative culture where your ideas are valued, and you're empowered to challenge the status quo. We encourage creativity and a passion for finding better solutions.
* Wide Reach: Expand your professional network and gain invaluable experience. You'll collaborate with a diverse range of internal and external stakeholders, influencing and supporting as you deepen relationships.
* Make a Difference: Be part of a company making a tangible contribution to the agricultural industry and to global food security. Join us in building a sustainable future for agriculture.
Interested?
Ready to take the next step?
To apply, please click "Apply" or contact Geoff at Hay Australia on or for a confidential discussion.
The AgTrade Group is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to diversity and inclusion in all aspects of employment. We celebrate the diversity of our workforce and encourage all qualified individuals to apply.