The Senior Farm Manager is responsible for overseeing large-scale farm operations, ensuring high production yields, cost efficiency, and compliance with industry standards. This role involves strategic planning, resource management, staff supervision, and innovation implementation to drive productivity and profitability. The Senior Farm Manager works closely with the Estate Manager and leads a team to achieve operational excellence. Having a CAN DO attitude is an absolute must for this role.
Key Performance Outputs
- Oversee large-scale farm activities, ensuring efficiency and high yield.
- Optimise irrigation, pruning, and harvesting schedules.
- Develop budgets, allocate resources effectively, and ensure cost efficiency.
- Manage procurement of supplies and equipment.
- Supervise and mentor farm staff.
- Foster a culture of continuous learning and improvement.
- Ensure regulatory and safety compliance.
- Implement risk mitigation strategies.
- Maintain environmental and sustainability standards.
- Integrate advanced agricultural technologies.
- Collaborate with technical teams to enhance production techniques.
Requirements
Qualification / Experience
- A relevant tertiary degree in Agriculture, Horticulture, or a related field.
- 5+ years of farm production experience, including at least 3 years in low chill, evergreen varietals.
- Proven experience in leading farm operations, managing teams, and optimizing production efficiency.
Functional / Technical
- Advanced knowledge of farm management, including production planning, irrigation, pruning, and harvesting.
- Strong leadership and team management skills.
- Ability to develop and execute farm strategies that align with company goals.
- Strong financial acumen for budgeting and resource allocation.
- Experience in implementing precision farming technologies.
Leadership / Behavioural
- Strategic thinker with problem-solving capabilities.
- Ability to make informed decisions under pressure.
- Strong interpersonal and communication skills.
- Ability to mentor and develop junior staff.
- Commitment to sustainability and innovation in agriculture.
- Strong communication skills.
- Lead by example, help in all areas where staff shortage is.
- In season willingness to put in reasonable extra hour to complete jobs.
- Assist with machinery operating.
- Willingness to obtain relevant tickets.
- Basic maintenance skills.