Join Our Team as a Harvest Operations Manager!
Are you an experienced agricultural leader looking for your next challenge? Do you thrive in dynamic, fast-paced environments where no two days are the same? We’re looking for a full-time Harvest Operations Manager to lead and coordinate the full lifecycle of our harvesting operations.
At Kalfresh, we’re not just harvesting crops, we’re cultivating careers, growing communities, and shaping the future of fresh food in Australia.
The Opportunity
As the Harvest Operations Manager, you will be coordinating the harvesting process from planning and scheduling to execution and delivery of produce, you will oversee and mentor the harvest team, ensuring all operations run efficiently, safely, and to the highest quality standards. You'll be responsible for executive decision making across scheduling, budgeting, resource allocation, and troubleshooting throughout the respective harvest season.
Given the nature of the industry and weather sensitive environment, flexibility and adaptability are essential. You’ll collaborate across departments, from agronomy and farming to sales and logistics and play a key role in shaping a system led approach that delivers consistent, high-quality outcomes across both our North and Southeast Queensland operations.
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Key Responsibilities:
Strategic Oversight
- Monitor crops preharvest to inform yield and quality expectations
- Develop and implement harvesting plans in collaboration with sales and production teams
Leadership & People Management
- Lead, mentor, and roster harvest and trucking staff
- Maintain a positive team culture and coach staff in best practices
- Ensure harvest operators and truck drivers are well trained and safety compliant
Operational Excellence
- Execute and manage day to day precision harvesting to secure optimal produce
- Responsibility for driving and operating various types of harvesting machinery
- Assist with Transportation and unloading of Harvested product from farm to shed
- Monitor and maintain harvesting equipment and machinery
- Implement best practice systems to ensure continuity across sites
- Address issues or abnormalities in the paddock to ensure efficiency and quality
- Maintain and inspect machines for mechanical or safety issues
- Apply precision loading of produce to ensure crop protection
Communication & Reporting
- Maintain explicit, regular communication with agronomists, growers, and the sales team
- Attend production meetings and provide accurate data for decision making
- Maintain accurate documentation on quality, yield, maintenance, and safety
Compliance & Food Safety
- Champion a food safety culture and ensure regulatory responsibilities are met
- Ensure safe and compliant loading, transportation, and unloading of produce
- Maintain documentation for vehicle operations and compliance
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What You’ll Bring:
- Proven leadership experience in harvest or agricultural operations
- Strong understanding of harvesting equipment and systems
- Flexibility with shift times and ability to travel regularly
- Extensive knowledge of applicable truck driving rules and regulations
- Excellent communication and coordination skills
- Adaptability and foresight to work in a fast paced, weather dependent environment
- A proactive, problemsolving mindset and strong attention to detail
- Knowledge in understand key harvesting settings and ability to apply edits for specific crop requirements including soil type, crop size, yield, weed and environmental factors
- Ability to identify and address issues or abnormalities in the paddock to ensure ongoing efficiency and quality of harvested product
- Commitment to safety, quality, and continuous improvement
- Holder of Multi-combination (MC) Truck licence
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Why Join Us?
Kalfresh is a leading horticultural company, focused on farming, processing and supply of commercial scale fresh conventional and certified organic vegetables, to major supermarkets across Australia.
We are an innovative, sustainable, and growing business with a skilled and diverse team, united by our passion to create the freshest, tastiest, nutrient-rich produce possible, with the least impact on the environment.
At the heart of our operations is a team driven culture that values quality, integrity, and innovation. You'll play a pivotal role in shaping the success of each harvest season while working with industry leaders and passionate growers.
If you're ready to take ownership of complex harvest operations and make a tangible impact, we want to hear from you!
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Ready to lead the harvest? Apply now and grow with us.
Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
All applications will be treated in strict confidence.
📌 Harvest Operations Manager
🏢 Kalfresh
📍 Gold Coast