About Us:
Wavertree Farms is a vertically integrated farming operation that grows, packs and distributes fresh vegetables daily to multiple customers. Wavertree Farms consists of several farming operations, along with production and dispatch facilities. These operations are to work together as a team to provide fresh, high-quality produce in a timely manner to their customers.
The Position:
Reporting to the National Farm Manager, the Horticulture Grower/ Manager is responsible for managing a team of farm workers to ensure that all operations are effective, sustainable and undertaken efficiently. The Farm Manager will work under the direction of the National Farm Manager to plan the overall growing operation.
The following is a guide only and in no way precludes the person filling this position from being asked to perform other duties.
Key Responsibilities:
* Coordinating staffs to meet production requirements
* Managing growing duties, ground preparation, seeding, irrigation scheduling, spraying and other associated activities.
* Solving day–to-day problems and reporting irregularities (defects, diseases)
* Maintaining constant liaison with the packing shed and the sales team to maximise the product value and meeting consumer demands
* Ensuring the farm meets current goals and assist in developing the farm to achieve the company’s longer-term business plan
* Making recommendations on capital equipment and suggest areas of improvement based on daily practice
* Responsible for the stock management and procurement farm inputs e.g. chemicals, fertilisers and small equipment
* Managing daily staff issues and delegating responsibility, supervising the execution of the work and suggesting corrections where necessary
* To be the first point of contact in managing daily staff issues providing clear instructions to ensure tasks are executed on time and correctly
* Ensuring the employees under your control are properly inducted, and provided with information, instruction and training to effectively and safely carry out their tasks
* Maintaining records on the activities performed such as: dates of sowing, pest and disease and spraying diary.
* Supervising field rotations and planning sowing, planting and harvesting programs
* Regularly inspect each crop to evaluate and report on growth, health and development of the crop and provide weekly production reports to the National Farm Manager.
* Identification of diseases, pests and weeds in the crops and take appropriate action.
Position Requirements
* 2 years plus experience in farm management and growing operations
* Chem-Cert, Forklift Licence would be beneficial
General Skills & Experience
* Experience in management of intensive horticulture production under irrigation
* Sound knowledge of Agronomy, preferably with some experience in plant nutrition, pest and weed control
* Demonstrated hands on experience in leadership and day to day supervision of a small team
* Familiarity with quality assurance and HACCP
* Excellent communication skills both verbal and written.
* Experience in report writing and maintaining paddock/ production records
* Computer literacy and an understanding of farm management reporting systems
* Seasonal budgeting and financial management
* A sound knowledge of the safe operation and maintenance of various farming equipment
* Confidence to perform all the activities as independently as possible
* Demonstrate initiative; be flexible, creative and accurate
* Able to meet timelines and manage workloads,
* Initiative Capacity to multitask in a dynamic production environment
Remuneration will be commensurate with experience, skill and knowledge
Please send your applications to job•@bardenfarms.com.au
Please note that only successful applicants will be contacted.