Irrigation Manager

Duxton Vineyards; Wentworth Shire Council; On-site; AUD 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

On-site accommodation provided

Company vehicle

Relocation assistance may be provided

Bonus/incentive structure

Opportunity to work on major upgrade

Job summary

Duxton Vineyards is seeking an experienced Irrigation Manager for our Wentworth vineyard. You will lead the irrigation and fertigation program, manage pumps, filtration and drip networks, and report to the Vineyard Operations Manager.

You’ll apply soil moisture data and crop assessments to optimise water use, oversee maintenance of the irrigation system, and mentor a small team including seasonal staff. A capital upgrade project is planned to enhance infrastructure.

Qualifications

• Proven hands-on experience managing vineyard irrigation systems and fertigation.
• Strong understanding of irrigation scheduling, water movement, pressure management, and filtration.
• Experience leading and developing a team with safety awareness.
• Willingness to reside on-site to allow rapid response after hours.

Responsibilities

• Own the vineyard’s irrigation and fertigation program and coordinate with the Vineyard Operations Manager.
• Use soil moisture data and visual crop assessments to optimise irrigation decisions.
• Oversee operation and maintenance of pumps, mainlines, valves, filtration and drip lines.
• Implement preventative maintenance for filters, lines, and valves.
• Lead and train irrigation team and seasonal staff while upholding safety standards.
• Maintain accurate irrigation and fertigation records.

Skills

Irrigation management

Vineyard operations

Team leadership

Safety awareness

Tools

Irrigation pumps

Filtration systems

Mainlines

Job description

Every great vintage starts with the right water, in the right place, at the right time. If you know your way around pumps, filters and fertigation – and love seeing vines thrive – we want to hear from you!

About Us

Duxton Vineyards (“DV”) is a large-scale, vertically integrated wine business located in the Sunraysia region of Australia. The business owns and operates over 1,423 hectares of wine grape vineyards in this region, as well as a large-scale winery. Using the latest groundbreaking technology, we lead the way in sustainable environmental practices at scale.

Duxton Vineyards has strong growth plans for the future, collaborating with some of the largest leading wine companies both in Australia and globally.

The Role

Based at Wentworth 1, our 518-hectare white grape vineyard just 15–20 minutes from Wentworth (and around 35–40 minutes from Mildura), you’ll report to the Vineyard Operations Manager and take the lead on the vineyard’s irrigation and fertigation program. Water is drawn straight from the Darling River via three main pumps feeding three central mainlines, then passes through multi-stage filtration and an automated valve network into a drip irrigation system. You’ll lead a tight‑knit team of one Irrigationist and two Farm Hands, growing by up to six seasonal staff during vintage.

And the timing couldn’t be better! A significant capital investment is planned for the site, including an upgraded filtration system and the refurbishment and/or replacement of the main irrigation pumps – and you’ll play a key role in bringing this project to life and ensuring a smooth transition to the upgraded infrastructure.

What You’ll Be Doing

Own the vineyard’s irrigation and fertigation program, working closely with the Vineyard Operations Manager to turn vine performance objectives into an effective plan;

Get to know your vines, using soil moisture probe data, soil inspections and visual crop assessments to make informed irrigation decisions throughout the season;

Oversee the operation and maintenance of the irrigation network, including pumps, mainlines, automated valves, filtration and drip lines;

Implement and manage a preventative maintenance program, including filter maintenance, line flushing and sanitation, and valve maintenance;

Lead, train and develop the irrigation team and seasonal staff, championing safe work practices and high operational standards;

Ensure accurate irrigation and fertigation records are maintained;

Support the planned filtration and pump upgrade project, ensuring a smooth transition to the new infrastructure;

Be the first on the scene when things go wrong after hours, such as mainline failures or other critical system faults;

Identify and recommend opportunities to drive water efficiency, savings and improvements across irrigation operations; and

Carry out all work with Duxton Vineyards’ environmental and sustainability commitments front of mind, ensuring compliance with relevant environmental laws and obligations.

What You’ll Bring

Proven hands‑on experience managing vineyard or large‑scale agricultural irrigation systems, fertigation and water management – practical know‑how gained in the field matters more to us than a formal engineering or trade background;

A strong practical understanding of irrigation scheduling, water movement, pressure management and filtration systems;

Solid knowledge of preventative maintenance and the ability to identify issues before they impact vineyard operations;

Confidence assessing vine health through both technology (soil moisture probes) and practical observation;

Experience in wine grape production and an understanding of the interaction between irrigation, nutrition and vine performance (highly regarded);

Experience leading and developing a team, with strong safety awareness;

Willingness to reside in the on‑site accommodation (preferred) to allow a rapid response to after‑hours issues; and

Flexible, adaptable and reliable – no two days are ever the same!

What’s In It For You

• On-site accommodation provided (say goodbye to the commute!);
• A fully maintained vehicle available when on site;
• Relocation assistance may be considered for the right candidate;
• Potential bonus/incentive structure; and
• The chance to be part of a major infrastructure upgrade at a growing business.

If you’re passionate about irrigation and ready to make every drop count within a large-scale vineyard operation, this role is for you.