Cropping Operations Manager

Agri Labour Australia; Shire Of Merredin; On-site; AUD 140,000 - 160,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Work vehicle

On-farm housing

Modern machinery

Autonomy in role

Career growth

Job summary

Agri Labour Australia is seeking a hands-on Farm Operations Lead for a large-scale broadacre cropping and export hay enterprise near Merredin, WA. You will combine day-to-day farm leadership with team management, machinery coordination and seasonal planning to drive productivity across multiple properties.

You will manage people, equipment and schedules, with growth opportunities as the group expands. A strong focus on safety, cost control and operational excellence is essential.

Qualifications

• Solid broadacre cropping experience and ability to manage seasonal farming demands.
• Strong mechanical aptitude and machinery operation skills.
• Proven people leadership and cost-aware decision making.
• HR licence with willingness to obtain MC licence; chemical handling knowledge or certification.
• Export hay or straw experience is highly regarded; John Deere machinery and GPS knowledge valued.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate seeding, spraying, hay production, harvest and baling across multiple properties.
• Set clear work priorities and lead staff, seasonal employees and contractors.
• Operate modern broadacre machinery, troubleshoot breakdowns and coordinate maintenance.
• Organise machinery, transport and resources to meet seasonal deadlines.
• Maintain safe working practices and communicate progress, costs and issues to the owner.

Skills

Broadacre farming

Mechanical aptitude

People leadership

HR licence

MC licence

Chemical handling

Export hay experience

John Deere GPS knowledge

Job description

Summary

Job Description

About the role

Lead daily operations across a large-scale cropping and export hay enterprise near Merredin. Combine hands‑on farm leadership with team management, machinery coordination and seasonal planning, with opportunities to grow into broader responsibilities across the group.

Duties

• Coordinate seeding, spraying, hay production, harvest and straw baling across multiple properties
• Set clear work priorities and lead staff, seasonal employees and contractors
• Operate modern broadacre machinery, troubleshoot breakdowns and coordinate maintenance
• Organise machinery, transport and resources to meet seasonal deadlines
• Maintain safe working practices and communicate progress, costs and operational issues to the owner

Skills & experience

• Solid broadacre cropping experience and an understanding of seasonal farming demands
• Strong mechanical aptitude, machinery operating skills and practical troubleshooting ability
• Confident people leadership, clear communication and the ability to make timely, cost-effective decisions
• HR licence with willingness and ability to obtain an MC licence
• Sound chemical handling and spraying knowledge, with chemical certification or willingness to obtain it
• Export hay or straw experiencehighly regarded.
• John Deere machinery and GPS knowledge, or a mechanical trade background highly regarded.

Benefits

• $140,000–$160,000 plus superannuation, negotiable based on experience and capability
• Work vehicle
• On‑farm housing or rental assistance in town
• Modern machinery and quality infrastructure, supported by local dealerships
• Operational autonomy and scope to shape a capable farm team
• Career growth potential, as the group develops and expands

About the company

Our client is a well‑established, multi‑generational family‑owned agricultural group operating a large‑scale broadacre cropping and export hay enterprise near Merredin in Western Australia’s Wheatbelt. Built on generations of farming experience, the business produces wheat, canola, barley, oats, export‑quality hay and straw across multiple properties. With modern machinery, quality infrastructure and a strong focus on operational efficiency, the business combines the scale of a corporate farming enterprise with the practical values and hands‑on approach of a family‑owned operation.