Orchard Manager

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GO.FARM is a progressive agribusiness with a proven track record in developing and managing large-scale horticulture and broadacre properties across Australia. They are research-driven, well-capitalised, and committed to delivering sustainable returns alongside positive community and environmental outcomes.

At Cobram East, they are expanding their portfolio with three new almond farms totalling approximately 1,100 hectares by 2029. You’ll step in at the outset of this development, with the mandate to set standards, shape culture, and influence the way these farms are established and managed.

You’ll be joining a team that values humility, curiosity, and courage, and backs its people with the resources and trust to deliver.

The Role

Reporting to the Horticulture Manager and working closely with the Project Manager through the establishment phase, you will shadow development works and provide operational input where needed before taking full ownership of farm management.

From early 2026, your focus will expand as you recruit and build the core team, prepare site for first planting of approximately 400 hectares in June. Further stages follow in 2027 (approximately 430 hectares) and 2029 (approximately 170 hectares).

Your remit begins with implementing and embedding a safety-first culture, ensuring farms are safe, compliant, and well-presented. Alongside this, you will oversee orchard establishment, irrigation, team leadership, budgets, and work programs. This is a managerial role, not a hands-on one: your job is to plan, allocate resources, set high standards, and keep operations moving smoothly.

Success in this role looks like a cohesive team, consistent execution, and farms that are safe and well-presented. It’s about building strong systems and people while delivering steady year-on-year gains in yield, quality, and cost control.

Key Responsibilities

- Ensure Safety & Compliance: Drive WHS culture, maintain reporting, and champion continuous improvement.
- Embed the GO.FARM Way: Actively uphold and promote their values and behaviours, making them visible in decision-making, leadership, and day-to-day farm practices.
- Lead Orchard Operations: Oversee nutrition, irrigation, pest/disease/weed control, and ground preparation.
- Build & Mentor the Team: Recruit and develop up to approximately 16–18 FTE over three years, including direct reports (Assistant Orchard Manager, Irrigation Manager).
- Plan & Budget: Own work programs, budgets, and cashflows; track outcomes rigorously.
- Maintain Assets: Trees, irrigation systems, machinery, sheds, and consumables.
- Quality & Performance: Adapt orchard practices to local soils, climate, and disease pressures, aiming for yields above industry averages.

What You Bring

- Proven orchard management experience (almonds preferred), or strong background in other mechanical tree crops (nuts, olives, or stone fruit).
- Strong people leadership: communicates clearly, sets high standards, and builds engaged, accountable teams.
- Commercial mindset: plans ahead, keeps a close eye on cost and productivity, and develops people to support scale.
- Open-minded and curious: willing to test, adapt, and document learnings where proven playbooks don’t exist.

What You’ll Gain

- Package: $135k–$145k + Super + Car + House
- Additional Benefits: 5% of salary annually for learning and development, plus access to STI / LTI incentive structures.
- Support: Work alongside an experienced Horticulture Manager and Project Manager. They’ll provide guidance and resources and be available when needed, while giving you the space to make day-to-day decisions and run the farms your way.
- Impact: Lead a new almond development from the ground up, and help shape its operational culture.
- Lifestyle: Family-suitable house on farm in Cobram East, farms within 5–10 minutes of each other.
- Growth: Exposure to large-scale development, commercial decision-making, and long-term asset performance.

How to Step Forward

For more information or a confidential chat, please contact Nick Marchant, Director, on 0466 333 066 or Dai Yoshida, Talent Manager, on 0413 000 844.

Who Are March

March offers permanent recruitment and workforce planning services tailored exclusively to Australian agribusinesses. We're about connecting top talent with great businesses - plain and simple.

Lead a 4 year 1,100ha almond development from day one. High autonomy, strong backing, and scope to shape your own team and systems.

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