Industry: Senior Management

Our client.
  
Our client is a family business with a rich history dating back to the gold rush.  They are more than a meat company; they are legendary in the Australian meat industry.  Their storied history is underpinned by unwavering dedication to their front-line staff, innovation, uncompromising quality, and a laser beam approach to customer satisfaction.  At their core, they are driven by a mission to deliver the finest beef to their customers, emphasizing excellence over being the biggest.  They have close family ties to their growers, who produce prime cattle herds in some of southern Australia’s most pristine cattle producing regions.
  
The company is strategically located across three export accredited processing facilities.  They support local businesses, provide close to 1000 local jobs, and prioritize animal welfare.  They are committed to the long term and have invested heavily in the very latest industry technology.    It is a business built on family values, personal accountability, and community collaboration.
  
Your role
  
We seek an HR Leader who embodies their spirit of community and dedication. This role is ideal for someone who thrives on direct involvement in operations, possesses a deep-seated passion for hands-on HR work that genuinely enhances the capabilities of frontline managers, and exemplifies leadership and mentorship within a manufacturing matrix environment.
  
Key Responsibilities,
  

• Labour hire contractor management
• Management of multi-channel recruitment processes
• Monitor and manage the impact of employee relations legislation.
• Monitor and manage immigration legislative changes, contractors, and processes.
• Support managers and embedded HR staff manage complex people issues.
• Manage signature HR systems and processes.
• Mentor and coach managers at all levels to perform at their optimum
• Identify and redesign systems, processes, structures, and roles causing interference to productivity.
• Support the CEO and production managers optimize and grow the business.

    
You
  
To be a key influencer in the business you will require well rounded generalist HR skills and experience in a related people intensive production, manufacturing, maintenance, construction, or services environment.
  
Specifically, you will,
  

• Possess a willingness to travel regionally to support business activities.
• Successfully manage in a matrix environment.
• Be able to build rapport with people at all levels of the organization.
• Support Business Unit Managers introduce productivity improvements.
• Thrive in a multi-cultural environment.
• Coach and mentor managers to operate to their full capacity.
• Drive succession planning process by identifying internal talent.

  
Choose Agri Talent
  
Agri Talent provides permanent recruitment and executive search services exclusively for Australian and New Zealand Agriculture.
  
Our unsurpassed and extensive network connects high-calibre candidates to diverse and exciting roles with respected clients across the agriculture sector.
  
For further information or a confidential discussion please contact Bruce Highfield on 0473 597 731.

Our client 
  
Our client is one of Australia’s most cherished agricultural success stories. Since its humble beginnings as a sole trader in 1997, the company has become the nation’s largest, privately owned, vertically integrated beef producer. Built on sheer determination and a relentless focus on quality, they’ve grown into one of the most experienced managers and marketers of grain-fed cattle over the past 27 years. Their highly decorated and award-winning range of branded beef is among the world’s finest.

Headquartered in Toowoomba with over 300 dedicated staff, their vision is to achieve global recognition for their commitment to animal welfare and environmental sustainability. Locally, however, the company is renowned for its constant innovation and growth.

Feedlots are at the heart of their operation, with the second-largest capacity in Australia, housing over 210,000 cattle. Their strength lies in their vertically integrated business model, which includes broadacre farms, stockfeed manufacturing, fertilizer production, a fleet of 50 trucks, and a service centre.

Your Role 

This is a unique opportunity to make a lasting impact and solidify your career in the Australian beef industry. Working hand-in-hand with the CEO and GM of Livestock, you’ll be responsible for developing and executing the Branded Beef sales strategy. Your focus will be driving revenue growth by expanding both domestic and export markets, aligning perfectly with the company’s ambitious goals.

This role demands an exceptional blend of technical industry knowledge, strong commercial acumen, and the ability to manage stakeholder relationships effectively.

 Heading up this business unit will see you –  
  

• Spearhead the development and execution of data-driven sales strategies.
• Analyse market trends, competitor activity, and consumer behaviour to optimize product placement, pricing, and distribution.
• Build strategic partnerships and networks with key industry stakeholders across the value chain. 
• Lead the established Branded Beef commercial team of 5, encompassing sales, shipping & logistics, and quality assurance.
• Collaborate closely with the marcoms team to align marketing efforts with Branded Beef sales strategies.
• Manage third-party production to ensure consistent adherence to strict export quality standards.
• Develop and co-create production plans with internal and external stakeholders, ensuring on-time order fulfilment, optimal inventory levels, and alignment with quality and financial targets.
• Drive profitable growth for the business unit by leading the team and fostering strong collaboration with internal stakeholders. 

  
You 
  
The core responsibility of this role is to drive profitable growth for the Branded Beef segment, approximately 30% of the company’s production. Therefore, you will need seasoned professional experienced in the beef industry with a focus on the commercial opportunities globally to ensure profitable growth for the business. To be considered for the role you will need to demonstrate drive, passion, and an innovative approach to meet ambitious sales targets. 
  
In addition – it is important you can address the following. 
  

• A proven track record in managing the value drivers of inventory and sales. 
• Experience managing third party production and quality standards. 
• Demonstrated experience in business development and negotiation. 
• Experience managing the P&L for a business unit. 
• Demonstrated experience developing cohesion within a team. 
• Demonstrated experience managing key stakeholder relationships including culturally sensitive export relationships. 
• Robust analytical and problem-solving skills with the capability to translate data into actionable insights. 
• In depth understanding of the beef value chain and requirements for success in developing a successful branded beef supply chain. 

  
If you seek to work for an agile, ambitious organization that wants you to make this business unit your own, you should seriously consider seeking further information.  For a confidential discussion, please contact Bruce Highfield on 0473 597 731. 
  
Choose Agri Talent 
  
Agri Talent provides executive search and permanent recruitment services exclusively for Australian and New Zealand businesses.  Our unsurpassed and extensive network connects high – calibre candidates to diverse and exciting roles with respected clients across the agriculture sector.

Your Employer
Our client, Mainstream Aquaculture, is not just another fish in the sea; they are Australia’s premier provider of white-fleshed fish, committed to leading the industry with innovative practices and a clear vision. Nestled between rainforest and reef in one of Australia’s most pristine environments, they are a leader in sustainable aquaculture, specialising in raising superb Barramundi. Their world-leading breeding program distributes high-quality Barramundi to 31 countries, showcasing their dedication to global excellence.

Located at their North QLD site in Martyville, just a 12-minute drive from Innisfail, our client is seeking an experienced Operations Manager to join their team.
  
Your Role
As the Head of Operations/Operations Manager, your primary role will be to ensure all aspects of daily production and dispatch operations run efficiently and effectively, ensuring production meets output, quality, and efficiency targets. You will be key in steering their strategic business objectives into action in Queensland.

Your role will also include but not be limited to –

• Managing production scheduling and optimising resource allocation to meet production plan requirements.
• Overseeing the optimisation of feed grow-out models and planning fish grading and rotation activities to maximise production and plant utilisation.
• Ensuring water and environmental conditions are maintained within regulatory and operational guidelines.
• Prioritising maintenance and operations activities to maximise aquaculture facility availability.
• Monitoring fish health behaviour and ensuring appropriate responses to any abnormalities.

  
About You
To be considered for the role, it is important that you possess extensive operational experience in either aquaculture, livestock, or agriculture operations and have the ability to transform strategic objectives into tactical actions. Your strong leadership and communication skills, along with your capacity to build relationships and work collaboratively, are essential. Additionally, you should be adept at managing plant operations to deliver on objectives.

The successful candidate will build and retain a motivated team, ensuring compliance with WH&S, environmental regulations, and preventive maintenance.

To be considered for the role, it is important that you can address the following:

Essential Criteria:

• Extensive operational experience in aquaculture, livestock, or agricultural operations
• Strong problem-solving skills and ability to develop practical solutions.
• Experience working effectively with customers and maintaining relationships.

Desirable Criteria:

• Degree in Aquaculture, Marine Biology, or a related discipline.
• Understanding of fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) sales and marketing.
• Sound understanding of fish feeding operations and procedures.

Choose Agri Talent
Agri Talent provides permanent recruitment and executive search services exclusively for Australian agribusiness. Our extensive digital network connects quality candidates to diverse and exciting roles with respected clients across Australia’s agriculture sector.

For more information or a confidential discussion, please contact Marcela Rocha-Lima on 0467 063 538.

Our Client
  
Our Australian client is the world leader in spectroscopy measurement and is in the process of revolutionizing the global grain industry.  The leadership that changed farming practices forever with GPS auto steering, are back, for a repeat performance, this time with grain testing. 
  
Recent advancements in machine learning technology have made it possible for growers to test protein and moisture instantly, with their own handheld device, at the header, the silo, or anywhere.  It is a game changer for growers who seek to make informed decisions about storage, blending and marketing strategies.  Our client is about to empower farmers, improve their bottom line and disrupt the industry forever.
  
 The company, its founders, leadership, and investors are some of the biggest and best-known household names in Australian agriculture.  Tailored by grain handlers for farmers they have exploited cutting edge technology and ingeniously delivered a next practice device that is robust, highly accurate and truly liberating from traditional testing methods.
  
Your Role
  
This is a high-profile role working directly with the senior executive team.  You will be the lynch pin in propelling the organizations growth initially in Australia and later across all continents.  You will be accountable to develop and execute a strategic sales plan aimed at meeting revenue targets and broadening the customer base.  This role demands a unique blend of “hunter” sales skills, business acumen, collegiality, learning agility and a proven track record in multi-channel sales management.  Location is flexible, however striking distance from Newcastle or Melbourne is preferred. 
  
In addition, your role will see you –
  

• Develop and execute a comprehensive sales strategy to drive maximum sales revenue.
• Work closely with the marketing team to enhance sales performance.
• Analyze trends, grower feedback, to determine the best channels to market.
• Strategically plan and manage the company’s participation in industry trade shows to showcase products, nurture relationships and generate leads.
• Forge senior partnerships and networks within the grain industry.
• Define key performance indicators and strategically plan the growth of a sales force over time.
• Collaborate with cross functional teams for product development and product feedback.
• Prepare budgets, forecasts, and sales reports for review with the executive team.

 You
  
The core challenge of this role, initially, is to drive sales within the grains sector nationally.  Therefore, the ideal candidate will have a deep understanding of the challenges faced by grain growers in assessing the quality of their produce and maximizing their returns through storage and marketing.  Above all else you will have a track record of high integrity, drive, energy and well-developed social skills.
  
In addition, it is important that you can address the following –
  

• A proven track record in sales associated with the agriculture industry, preferably grain.
• Previous experience generating sales through a variety of channels associated with the agriculture industry.
• A deep understanding of grain operations through the supply chain to articulate the value proposition.
• Ideally, an understanding of agri tech and supporting software systems.
• Excellent sales, negotiation, listening skills and the ability to be credible in the agriculture sector.
• High levels of achievement orientation in a related product.
• A willingness and ability to travel regionally and nationally to support the sales plan.

  
Choose Agri Talent
  
Agri Talent provides permanent recruitment and executive search services exclusively for Australian and New Zealand agribusiness.  For a confidential discussion please call Bruce Highfield on 0473 597 731 
  
Our unsurpassed and extensive network connects high – calibre candidates to diverse and exciting roles with respected clients across the agriculture sector.