Broadacre Manager - Mackays Group

About us

Founded in 1945, Mackays Group is a family-owned business that has grown from a single paddock into Australia's leading banana producer.

Now operated by the family's third generation, the company employs over 550 people across nine locations from Lakeland to Melbourne. Over its 80 year history, it has diversified into growing papaya, sugarcane, passionfruit, broadacre, coffee and cocoa and has expanded vertically into produce sales, ripening, and processing.

This role is responsible for planning and coordinating all aspects of crop production, including land preparation, planting, spraying, crop management and harvesting. Importantly, this is not a purely supervisory role – you will regularly operate tractors, planters, spray equipment, harvesters and other agricultural machinery.

The current farming system is focused on dryland broadacre cropping, with an exciting opportunity to be involved in its future development, including the introduction of lateral irrigation systems and cattle grazing operations.

Key responsibilities

- Manage the day-to-day operations of dryland broadacre cropping, including land preparation, planting, spraying, crop management and harvesting. Current cropping mix - grain sorghum + summer legumes.

- Operation of tractors, planters, spray equipment, harvesters and other agricultural machinery

- Plan and coordinate cropping activities to ensure operations are completed safely, efficiently and within required seasonal timeframes.

- Operate machinery and provide operational support across other Mackays Group farming operations, including banana and passionfruit operations,



as required.

- Plan and implement future farming developments, including the introduction and operation of lateral irrigation systems and cattle grazing operations.

- Assist with the planning and implementation of future farming developments

- Maintain accurate farm records and contribute to farm budgeting and operational reporting.

- Monitor farm budgets, ensuring expenses align with approved budgets and are accurately processed and approved in a timely manner.

What we're looking for

- Demonstrated experience in a similar broadacre farming or farm operations role.

- Strong knowledge and practical experience in dryland cropping operations.

- Demonstrated ability and willingness to be hands-on and regularly operate agricultural machinery

- Excellent record-keeping and data management skills

- Problem-solving ability and practical approach to resolving operational challenges

- Valid driver's licence

- Relevant qualifications in agriculture, farm management or related discipline are highly desirable

What we offer

Mackays Bananas is committed to supporting our team members with competitive remuneration and a range of advantages. We offer:

- Competitive salary package commensurate with experience and qualifications

- A supportive and collaborative work environment where your ideas and contributions are valued

- Safe working practices and compliance with all relevant health and safety standards

- Vehicle

Apply now

If you are an experienced in broadacre farming, we would love to hear from you. Please submit your CV, cover letter and contact details to express your interest

📌 Broadacre Manager (Cairns)
🏢 Mackays Bananas
📍 Cairns