Farming/Horticulture

Location: SA 5501

FARM WORKERS – Protected Crop & Horticulture Growers and Cold Store Manager - Location: Lower Light SA 5501

We are in a growth phase and are offering an exciting opportunity for experienced persons to join our team on our family farms just outside Adelaide. Aptitude and broad experience is more important than trade qualifications.

We specialize in growing small crops for the wholesale market in a protected cropping environment. Our company is a family business that has been in operation for many years. We currently enjoy a culturally rich and diverse workforce on our farms who are part of our “company family”. We place a lot of emphasis on family values and connectivity amongst our wonderful staff.

If this is the sort of company, where you are treated and expect to be an integral part of our wider family then please read on….

For a prospective employee, this presents an exciting opportunity and peace-of-mind that you are joining a strong, profitable business that gives first priority to our staff.

About the roles

You will be based on our farm in South Australia’s Mid North, working predominantly at that location but may be required to work occasionally, 30 minutes away at our other farm, not far for Adelaide City. 

Protected Cropping Grower/Farmhand

Undercover growing represent important segments of protected cultivation, employing controlled environments and innovative institutional technologies to optimize crop yields and at the same time, dealing with numerous challenges, especially pest control. There are unique problems associated with managing pests within a protected cultivation environment. Early identification of pests and diseases that can impact on the viability of crops in these environments stresses the need for effective integrated pest management strategies to mitigate losses. Highlighting key pests encountered in protected cultivation is critical to good crop management.

We are seeking an experienced protected cropping farm worker/grower looking for a change to be a part of our team.

Ideally, you will have 2-3 years experience in a similar role, additionally, we seek a person who can demonstrate the ability to quickly identify pests and health issues within the crop and under direction of the Supervisor, implement appropriate management of these situations. Your duties will involve but are not exclusive to:

Planning and coordinating the production and marketing of crops in a protected cropping environment, from preparation or the growing medium to harvest taking into account environmental and market factors.

Maintaining crop production by cultivating, culling weak or diseased crop, and maintaining optimal growing conditions in the temperature controlled growing areas.

Organising and conducting farming operations, such as collecting, storing, grading and packaging produce, and organising the sale, purchase and dispatch of produce under direction of the Supervisor.

Directing and overseeing general farming activities such as fertilising and pest and weed control.

Maintaining farm buildings, fences, equipment and water supply systems.

Maintaining and evaluating records of farming activities, monitoring market activity, and planning crop preparation and production to meet contract requirements and market demand.

You may be involved in the selection, training and supervision of staff and contractors.

Work with the management to plan a growing-on program.

Working with management to develop a horticultural production plan.

Identify risk and apply risk management processes.

Monitor the implementation of quality and food safety programs.

Horticulture Grower

We are seeking experienced horticulture grower looking for a change to be a part of our team.

Ideally, you will have 2-3 years experience in a similar role, additionally, we seek a person who can demonstrate the ability to quickly identify pests and health issues within the crop and under direction of the Supervisor, implement appropriate management of these situations. Your duties will involve but are not exclusive to:

Planning and coordinating the production and marketing of crops, from soil preparation to harvest taking into account environmental and market factors

Selecting and planting seeds, seedlings and bulbs, and grafting new varieties to root stocks

Maintaining crop production by cultivating, de-budding and pruning, and maintaining optimal growing conditions.

Organising and conducting farming operations, such as collecting, storing, grading and packaging produce, and organising the sale, purchase and dispatch of produce

Directing and overseeing general farming activities such as fertilising and pest and weed control.

Maintaining farm buildings, fences, equipment and water supply systems.

Maintaining and evaluating records of farming activities, monitoring market activity, and planning crop preparation and production to meet contract requirements and market demand.

Managing business capital including budgeting, taxation, debt and loan management.

May select, train and supervise staff and contractors 

Develop climate risk management strategies.

Manage work health and safety processes.

Cold Storage Manager

We are seeking an experienced Cold Storage Manager looking for a change to be a part of our team.

Ideally, you will have 2-3 years experience in a similar role, additionally, we seek the person who can demonstrate the ability to quickly adapt to changes in product movement and delivery and be comfortable helping out in other areas when deadlines are moving fast. Your duties will involve but are not exclusive to:

Product Picking in chiller and freezer environment 

Repetitive Manual Handling.

Stacking products in cold stores.

Experience within the fresh food industry is preferred

Sound knowledge in HACCP and Standard 3.2.1, in addition, a knowledge of WHS & GMP procedures

Ability to withstand working in a cold room environment ranging from 3 degrees and up

Picking fresh food stock from production line

Working in a cold storage environment

Accurately packing stock

Managing a team. 

The Farms

The farms have excellent staff amenities away from the work area and you will be encouraged to make use of these during breaks. Note also that there are quarantine measures in place to avoid cross contamination or introduction of unwanted pests into the growing sheds.

What we are offering you is an enjoyable and positive work/life balance, you will work with a team of outstanding warm people, your position is a long term career position, most of our crew spend many years with us, and grow from basic farm workers through to senior positions which is testament to who we as a company are and exactly what we are all about with regard to loyalty to our valuable staff.

Benefits

·      We are looking for the person with ideally 3 years’ experience in a similar roles.

·      These are full-time positions in a well-established family business. If you are looking for a stable job in a long-established company and you have the qualities, we seek then this is the job for you.

·      You will work with a bunch of great people, where coming to work each day is something you look forward to.

·      You will work closely with your fellow team members and be open to their observations to allow you to more effectively undertake your role.

·      A competitive remuneration will be offered relative to your experience and skills The range will be:

o  Protected Cropping Grower, - $65,850 per annum plus government regulated superannuation at 11.5%.

o  Horticulture Grower - $65,850 per annum plus government regulated superannuation at 11.5%

o  Cold Storage Manager - between $65,850 and $75,000+ per annum plus government regulated superannuation at 11.5%

·      The role has a 3-month probation period, after which, you will be offered permanent employment.

In the first instance, please submit your CV to our service agency, NVM Services and let's take it from there.

Employer questions

Your application will include the following questions:

1.     Do you have a current Australian driver's licence?

2.     Have you had experience with operating powered agricultural equipment

3.     Do you have experience in an undercover controlled environment growing area

4.     Do you understand the management of disease and pest control in a closed environment

5.     Do you have experience in time critical management of fresh product in cold storage

Reference Number: AUSTEMP10044

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