Horticulture Grower

Precruitment; Gatton; On-site; AUD 80,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

Precruitment in Gatton, QLD, is seeking a hands-on Horticulture Grower for a full-time role. You will plan, coordinate and oversee crop production, supervise a small production team and ensure safety, quality and compliance with company standards.

You will work with the General Manager, Packing Operations and Sales to maximise product quality and commercial outcomes, maintain production records and contribute to budgeting and improved farming systems.

Qualifications

• AQF Certificate III or IV in Horticulture or equivalent.
• 3+ years as a Horticulture Grower with formal training.
• 5+ years as a Horticulture Grower without formal training.

Responsibilities

• Plan, coordinate and oversee all crop production activities including land preparation, planting, irrigation, nutrition, spraying and harvesting.
• Monitor crop growth and development to optimise yield, quality and productivity.
• Identify and respond to pest, disease and weed issues using best-practice crop management techniques.
• Develop and manage crop rotation, sowing and harvesting schedules in line with production requirements.
• Ensure all farming practices comply with company standards, quality assurance programs and regulatory requirements.
• Coordinate daily farm operations to ensure production targets are achieved safely and efficiently.
• Monitor irrigation programs, fertiliser application and crop nutrition.
• Maintain accurate production records including planting schedules, spray diaries, crop monitoring and harvest data.
• Assist with budgeting and recommend improvements to farming systems, infrastructure and equipment.
• Manage inventory levels of fertilisers, chemicals, seed and other farm inputs.
• Provide day-to-day leadership, supervision and support to farm employees.
• Assist with recruitment, onboarding, training and performance management of farm staff.
• Ensure team members receive appropriate instruction, supervision and ongoing development.
• Foster a positive workplace culture focused on teamwork, accountability and continuous improvement.
• Ensure compliance with Workplace Health & Safety legislation and company safety procedures.
• Promote safe work practices and ensure employees are trained in the safe operation of equipment and machinery.
• Maintain compliance with Freshcare, HARPS and other quality assurance standards.
• Ensure accurate completion and maintenance of all production and compliance records.
• Liaise with the General Manager, Packing Shed and Sales teams to align production with customer demand.
• Conduct regular crop inspections and provide production updates and forecasts.
• Prepare weekly reports on crop performance, production activities and operational outcomes.
• Escalate production risks, quality concerns or operational issues promptly.

Skills

Leadership

Farm supervision

Crop production planning

Quality & safety compliance

Education

AQF Certificate III

AQF Certificate IV

Tools

Freshcare

HARPS

HACCP

Job description

A full-time position is available for a Horticulture Grower in Gatton QLD 4343

SKILLS/QUALIFICATIONS

Applicants should hold a relevant AQF Certificate III or IV qualification (or equivalent), or have at least three years of relevant employment experience as a Horticulture Grower with relevant formal training, or at least five years of relevant employment experience without formal training.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Reporting to the General Manager, the Horticulture Grower is responsible for the planning, coordination and day-to-day management of crop production to achieve optimal yield, quality and operational efficiency. This is a hands-on leadership role responsible for supervising farm operations, leading a small production team, and ensuring crops are grown safely, sustainably and in accordance with company production plans and quality standards.

The Horticulture Grower works closely with the General Manager, Packing Operations and Sales teams to maximise product quality, customer satisfaction and commercial outcomes.

POSITION DUTIES

Crop Production

• Plan, coordinate and oversee all crop production activities including land preparation, planting, irrigation, nutrition, spraying and harvesting.
• Monitor crop growth and development to optimise yield, quality and productivity.
• Identify and respond to pest, disease and weed issues using best-practice crop management techniques.
• Develop and manage crop rotation, sowing and harvesting schedules in line with production requirements.
• Ensure all farming practices comply with company standards, quality assurance programs and regulatory requirements.

Farm Operations

• Coordinate daily farm operations to ensure production targets are achieved safely and efficiently.
• Monitor irrigation programs, fertiliser application and crop nutrition.
• Maintain accurate production records including planting schedules, spray diaries, crop monitoring and harvest data.
• Assist with budgeting and recommend improvements to farming systems, infrastructure and equipment.
• Manage inventory levels of fertilisers, chemicals, seed and other farm inputs.

Leadership & People Management

• Provide day-to-day leadership, supervision and support to farm employees.
• Assist with recruitment, onboarding, training and performance management of farm staff.
• Ensure team members receive appropriate instruction, supervision and ongoing development.
• Foster a positive workplace culture focused on teamwork, accountability and continuous improvement.

Quality, Safety & Compliance

• Ensure compliance with Workplace Health & Safety legislation and company safety procedures.
• Promote safe work practices and ensure employees are trained in the safe operation of equipment and machinery.
• Maintain compliance with Freshcare, HARPS and other quality assurance standards.
• Ensure accurate completion and maintenance of all production and compliance records.

Communication & Reporting

• Liaise closely with the General Manager, Packing Shed and Sales teams to align production with customer demand.
• Conduct regular crop inspections and provide production updates and forecasts.
• Prepare weekly reports on crop performance, production activities and operational outcomes.
• Escalate production risks, quality concerns or operational issues promptly.

ADDITIONAL SKILLS/ATTRIBUTES

• Strong leadership and team management skills.
• Sound knowledge of agronomy, crop nutrition, irrigation and pest and disease management.
• Strong planning, organisational and time management skills.
• Sound commercial and operational decision-making.
• Strong problem-solving skills with a proactive approach to continuous improvement.
• High attention to detail and accuracy.
• Ability to work independently use initiative and manage competing priorities.
• Effective communication skills across all levels of the business.
• Sound computer literacy and ability to maintain accurate production records.
• Commitment to workplace safety, quality and compliance.
• Flexibility to respond to changing crop and production priorities.
• Practical, hands‑on approach to farming operations.
• ChemCert accreditation.
• Familiarity with Freshcare, HARPS, HACCP or similar quality assurance systems.

SALARY

Annual salary of $80,000 - $95,000 based on experience.