General Manager Agricultural Operations
- Lead daily operations across 10,000 ha, livestock, cropping, forestry harvesting and timber processing.
- Coordinate site managers, operational employees, contractors, suppliers and seasonal resources.
- Improve systems, compliance, productivity, safety, animal welfare and enterprise returns.
Your Employer
Our client is a private family office with a range of interests including an agricultural business near Newcastle, NSW, with livestock, cropping, forestry harvesting and timber processing. The operation is entering a new development phase, with a focus on stronger systems, commercial discipline and sustainable enterprise growth.
The operation is practical, entrepreneurial and outcomes-focused. Ideas are tested carefully, capital is used wisely, and credibility is earned by understanding the work first-hand. This environment will suit a senior agricultural operator who enjoys being close to the assets, the team and the daily realities of production.
The Role
Reporting directly to the Chief Operating Officer, the General Manager - Agricultural Operations will become the trusted operational leader across the group’s agricultural enterprises. This role has been created to reduce the COO’s multi business unit operational load and provide dependable, commercially grounded leadership across cattle, cropping, forestry and timber activities.
Key responsibilities include:
- Lead daily operations across 10,000 ha, livestock (900 Angus), cropping, forestry harvesting and timber processing
- Coordinate site managers, operational employees, contractors, suppliers and seasonal resources
- Plan and manage priorities across joining, calving, mustering, planting, spraying, harvesting, treatment and maintenance programs
- Improve systems, compliance, productivity, safety, animal welfare and enterprise returns
- Provide clear reporting to the COO on production, costs, workforce matters and operational risks
- Identify practical opportunities to improve product value, market access and commercial outcomes
- Step into field, yard, machinery, forestry or treatment activities when required
About You
You are a hands-on agricultural leader who can move from commercial planning to practical field work without losing credibility in either setting. You take ownership, think clearly under pressure and reduce workload for senior leaders by solving issues properly rather than passing them back up the line.
You will bring:
- Operational leadership experience in agriculture, forestry, timber processing or a comparable asset-based business
- Strong commercial judgement across cost control, budgeting, productivity analysis and capital decisions
- Experience leading managers, operational employees and contractors
- Working knowledge of WHS, environmental obligations and agricultural compliance requirements
- Confidence dealing with suppliers, agents, customers, regulators, industry bodies and local stakeholders
The Benefits:
This is a senior role with real operational influence, and the chance to help shape the next stage of a diverse agricultural operation. The role offers variety across livestock, cropping, forestry and timber, with meaningful scope to improve systems, productivity, product value and commercial performance.
- Indicative base salary around $180,000 plus superannuation.
- Capacity to consider remuneration approaching $200,000 for an exceptional candidate
- Company four-wheel-drive vehicle
Choose Agri Talent
Agri Talent provides permanent recruitment and executive search services exclusively for Australian agribusiness. For more information, please contact Bruce Highfield on ************.
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