Farm Field Supervisor

Montague Farms; Greater Shepparton; On-site; AUD 65,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

Montague Farms in Australia seeks an experienced supervisor for its orchard operations. You will plan and supervise daily activities, allocate crews, and monitor labour hours and output to meet the weekly work program.

You will ensure proper thinning, pruning and harvesting methods, perform regular quality checks and maintain accurate records. You will provide coaching to farm hands, onboard new starters, and ensure contractors are inducted with current documentation.

Qualifications

• Certificate III in Horticulture or equivalent industry experience.
• Current First Aid certificate or willingness to obtain.
• Experience supervising crews in a large orchard operation.
• Knowledge of operating orchard irrigation systems.
• Experience with high-density tree fruit production practices.
• Minimum 2 years in a leading hand or supervisory role in horticulture.
• Proficient with digital timesheets/record-keeping and MS Office.
• Positive, self-motivated, organised with strong time management and coordination skills.

Responsibilities

• Plan, coordinate and supervise daily orchard activities in line with the weekly work program set by the Farm Manager.
• Allocate crews and tasks, and track labour hours and output against plan and budget.
• Ensure correct techniques are used for thinning, pruning and harvesting, conducting regular quality checks and correcting issues on the spot.
• Maintain accurate daily records (timesheets, task completion, spray and harvest records).
• Provide clear direction, coaching and support to farm hands.
• Assist with onboarding of new starters and ensure they are trained and signed off as competent before working unsupervised.
• Set clear daily expectations, address performance issues early, escalating to the Farm Manager when required.
• Ensure all contractors are inducted and hold current documentation before starting work.
• Lead daily pre-start meetings and enforce WHS requirements and safe systems of work.
• Operate and oversee tractors, machinery and tools.

Skills

Leading hand

Crew supervision

Time management

Record-keeping

Irrigation knowledge

Coaching & training

Education

Certificate III in Horticulture

First Aid certificate

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Key responsibilities

Plan, coordinate and supervise daily orchard activities in line with the weekly work program set by the Farm Manager

Allocate crews and tasks, and track labour hours and output (e.g. trees, rows or bins per hour) against plan and budget

Ensure correct techniques are used for thinning, pruning and harvesting, conducting regular quality checks and correcting issues on the spot

Maintain accurate daily records (timesheets, task completion, spray and harvest records)

Provide clear direction, coaching and support to farm hands

Assist with onboarding of new starters and ensure they are trained and signed off as competent before working unsupervised

Set clear daily expectations, address performance and conduct issues early, and escalating to the Farm Manager where required

Ensure all contractors are inducted and hold current documentation before starting work

Lead daily pre-start meetings and enforce WHS requirements and safe systems of work

Operate and oversee tractors, machinery and tools

About you

Certificate III in Horticulture or equivalent industry experience

Current First Aid certificate, or willingness to obtain

Supervising crews in a large, modern orchard operation

Operating and maintaining orchard irrigation systems

Working knowledge of modern, high-density tree fruit production practices

Minimum 2 years in a leading hand or supervisory role in horticulture

Using digital timesheet or record-keeping systems and Microsoft Office (intermediate)

Positive and self-motivated approach, respectful and inclusive, organised and proactive with strong time management and coordination skills