Job Description
Your Employer Our client is an established Australian fresh produce business with substantial investment in farming, packing and premium horticultural production. Based on the Victorian/NSW border, its operations form part of a broader international fresh produce group. The business packs locally grown, high-value citrus for domestic retailers and export markets. Its farming portfolio comprises approximately 700 hectares across three nearby orchards, including significant plantings of mandarins, oranges, lemons all premium citrus varieties. These are valuable, long-term orchard assets where production performance must be balanced with tree health and sustainable future yields. This newly available senior appointment follows the retirement of the current leader and offers an experienced horticultural executive the opportunity to bring three established farming operations together under a consistent, commercially focused approach with an eye to future growth. The Role Reporting directly to the Australian EGM and leading experienced Farm Managers, the Head of Farming will take overall responsibility for the agronomic, operational, people and financial performance of the farming portfolio. Your focus will be to improve sustainable yield, orchard health and commercial returns while strengthening the capability and cohesion of the existing team. Your duties will include, but not be limited to:
Lead, coach and support three Farm Managers while maintaining clear accountability for farm performance.
Develop coordinated agronomic, production and orchard improvement plans across all farming operations.
Improve sustainable yield, fruit quality and tree health through disciplined management of irrigation, nutrition, soils, crop load, pests and disease.
Establish consistent farm, variety and block-level performance measures covering yield, quality, cost and orchard health.
Lead budgeting, forecasting, labour productivity, harvest planning and cost-of-production management across the portfolio.
Use agronomic, production and financial data to identify underperforming areas,



assess improvement opportunities and measure return on investment.
Develop longer-term plans for orchard renewal, infrastructure, machinery, irrigation, technology and capital investment.
Future growth with potential for managing new properties that may be in a different growing region.
A critical part of the position is how improvement is achieved. The successful person will work through the Farm Managers, build trust and encourage knowledge sharing rather than unnecessarily taking over day-to-day farm management. The business wants stronger systems and better results while retaining and developing its existing people.
About You
You will be an accomplished commercial horticulture leader who understands permanent tree crops and can connect agronomic decisions with production and financial outcomes. Direct citrus experience would be highly regarded, although proven senior management experience in other intensive tree crops will also be considered. Just as importantly, you will be a visible and approachable leader. This business is looking for someone who can improve performance without destabilising an experienced team: a person who asks good questions, spends time in the orchards and introduces change with evidence, consultation and discipline.
Eligibility Criteria
Significant management experience in commercial horticulture, ideally citrus or other permanent tree crops.
Demonstrated ability to lead experienced Farm Managers or senior operational leaders across substantial farming operations.
Solid technical understanding of tree health, irrigation, nutrition, soils, crop management and pest and disease programs.
Proven commercial capability across farm budgets, forecasting, labour,



cost control and capital investment.
An inclusive people leadership style with a strong record of building capable, engaged and stable teams.
Ability to use production, agronomic and financial data to diagnose issues and deliver measurable improvement.
A practical, hands-on approach combined with an interest in better systems, technology and evidence-based farming practices.
Proven experience in managing and driving a safety first culture.
A tertiary qualification in Agricultural Science, Horticulture, Agronomy, Farm Management or a related discipline will be highly regarded, as will experience with export horticulture, precision agriculture, farm technology, orchard redevelopment or major capital programs.
Importantly, this is not a role for unchecked change. The successful candidate will be expected to work constructively with agronomists, Farm Managers and the CEO, testing ideas and building agreement before making material changes to established farming programs. As an established successful operation changes will be made incrementally.
The Benefits
Base salary around $160,000
Superannuation
4x4 vehicle
Potential housing assistance/partial rent support where required
Permanent senior leadership appointment with an established farming portfolio
Cobram and neighbouring Barooga sit on either side of the Murray River, surrounded by productive farmland, river red gum country and sandy river beaches. The area offers fishing, boating, water sports, golf, walking trails and an established regional community, while remaining closely connected to the horticultural industries of northern Victoria and southern NSW. The position is predominantly Monday to Friday outside key seasonal periods. As expected in a senior farming role, additional hours and callouts will be required when crop threats, harvest requirements, weather or labour conditions demand it. The successful candidate will spend their time across the orchards and not from a head office.
#J-*****-Ljbffr

📌 Head Of Farming (New South Wales)
🏢 Agri Talent Pty
📍 New South Wales