Assistant Manager - Livestock & Major Irrigation Development, Oxley NSW

Drover Ag Recruitment; Oxley; On-site; AUD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Accommodation provided

Work vehicle

Mobile phone

Partner opportunities

Job summary

Drover Ag Recruitment is seeking an Assistant Manager for a large-scale livestock and irrigation development in Oxley NSW. The role combines stockmanship with leading a major spray-irrigation and crop development program at scale.

You will work directly with the Station Manager, overseeing irrigation, cropping machinery, and livestock routines across a diversified pastoral operation, including Merino ewes and cattle.

Qualifications

• Hands-on experience operating spray irrigation systems (centre pivots preferred) and cropping machinery.
• Solid practical background in commercial sheep and/or cattle husbandry.
• Passion for property development and machinery operation.
• Practical mechanical knowledge and maintenance skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively in a close‑knit team.

Responsibilities

• Irrigation & Crop Operations: Hands-on management of centre pivot irrigation and cropping machinery.
• Livestock & Grazing Management: Leading sheep, wool, and cattle programs.
• Property Development & Upkeep: Developing projects and maintaining water infrastructure.
• Team Leadership & Safety: Guiding station hands and contractors with WHS standards.

Skills

Centre pivots

Irrigation machinery

Livestock management

Team leadership

Tools

Tractors

Spray rigs

Crop machinery

Job description

Assistant Manager - Livestock & Major Irrigation Development, Oxley NSW

The Story

If you are an ambitious, energetic livestock and agricultural professional with practical experience in irrigation and cropping machinery, seeking a unique, highly diversified role at a massive pastoral scale, this opportunity offers an extraordinary career step. Encompassing 280,000 acres in the Oxley region between Hay and Balranald, this progressive family‑owned pastoral enterprise runs a large‑scale livestock operation centred around a 30,000-ewe dual‑purpose Merino flock, opportunistic cattle trading, and goat harvesting. The business is now entering an exciting, high‑growth transformation into a large‑scale spray‑irrigation and crop‑development program. Working directly alongside the Station Manager and the broader management team, you will take on a pivotal, hands‑on second‑in‑charge role. This position allows you to combine your passion for stockmanship with large‑scale development, operating modern cropping machinery, driving centre pivot irrigation, and adding your stamp to an impressively resourced pastoral enterprise.

The Irrigation & Development Engine

The operation is embarking on a transformational development program designed to add value to livestock and significantly diversify production. At the core of this initiative is a large‑scale centre‑pivot irrigation rollout that taps into rich underground aquifer reserves, with planned future expansion into lateral‑move irrigation systems to maximise water efficiency and crop yields. By utilising irrigated fodder, annuals, and crops, the enterprise will finish lambs, background trade cattle, and drought‑proof the broader livestock operation. Furthermore, the business will leverage modern cropping machinery to establish and harvest fodder and grain crops, delivering outstanding enterprise diversity.

The Operation & Infrastructure

Underpinning these development goals is an enterprise renowned for its high‑standard infrastructure, modern plant, and progressive workplace culture. The extensive livestock program centres on 30,000 dual‑purpose Merino ewes, up to 800+ trade cattle annually, and opportunistic pastoral goat harvesting. Operations are supported by top‑tier facilities, including a modern 11‑stand raised‑board shearing shed, comfortable shearers' quarters, multiple efficient sheep and cattle yard setups, solid internal fencing, and automated stock‑water systems. To drive both ongoing station maintenance and the new irrigation expansion, the property is fully equipped with modern tractors, graders, loaders, spray rigs, and cropping plant.

The Role

Reporting directly to the Station Manager, you will serve as a key operational Assistant Manager, driving livestock routines while leading irrigation, cropping, and development projects on the ground. Key responsibilities include:

• Irrigation & Crop Operations: Hands‑on operation and management of centre pivot spray irrigation systems, alongside operating tractors and machinery for cropping, pasture renovation, and ground prep.
• Livestock & Grazing Management: Assisting in daily leadership across sheep, wool, and cattle programs, including mustering, drafting, joining, lambing, marking, animal health, and rotational grazing.
• Property Development & Upkeep: Actively executing development projects, maintaining water infrastructure, repairing fences, and servicing station machinery.
• Team Leadership & Safety: Assisting in guiding stationhands, casual staff, and contractors while maintaining strict WHS and QA standards.

The Ideal Candidate

We are searching for a driven, practical self‑starter who brings a passion for agricultural development, proven machinery competency, and a genuine love for large‑scale pastoral diversity. Essential attributes include:

• Demonstrated hands‑on experience operating spray irrigation systems (centre pivots highly regarded) and agricultural cropping machinery (tractors, implements, loaders).
• Solid practical background in commercial sheep and/or cattle husbandry within pastoral or extensive grazing systems.
• Passion for property development, machinery operation, fabrication, and continuous improvement.
• Practical mechanical knowledge and general maintenance skills.
• Quality team of working dogs for daily station stockwork.
• Excellent communication skills, strong work ethic, and ability to work collaboratively within a close‑knit team.

The Offer

An attractive salary package will be negotiated with the successful candidate based on capability and irrigation experience and will be backed by quality lifestyle inclusions.

• Accommodation is provided in a beautifully renovated 3‑bedroom homestead nestled in established gardens and lawns, complete with an enclosed three‑bay garage.
• Non‑cash benefits include a work vehicle and mobile phone.
• Employment opportunities are also available for partners within the business if desired.
• School bus pickup is located 30‑40 km from the station homestead, providing convenient access to schooling options in both Hay and Balranald.

Additional information

• Join 280,000-acre Riverina station executing a major centre pivot rollout.
• Assistant Manager role across 30,000 Merino ewes, cattle & spray irrigation.
• Renovated 3BR home, school bus access & excellent partner work prospects.