Production Manager

Western Plains Pork; Golden Plains Shire; On-site; AUD 120,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

Western Plains Pork seeks a senior Pig Production Manager to lead our breeding and farrowing operations, delivering technical leadership and hands-on management across farm teams.

You will drive production standards, implement improvements, and collaborate with veterinarians and advisers while prioritising animal welfare, safety and biosecurity. This role reports to the CEO and guides practical solutions on farm performance.

Qualifications

• Significant practical experience in commercial pig production.
• Strong technical knowledge of breeding and farrowing systems.
• Experience leading managers, supervisors or production teams.
• The ability to interpret production data and turn it into practical action.
• Strong planning, problem-solving and decision-making skills.
• A clear and respectful leadership style.
• A commitment to employee safety, animal welfare and biosecurity.
• The ability to hold people accountable while supporting their development.
• Sound written, verbal and computer skills.
• Relevant qualifications in agriculture, animal science or livestock production would be highly regarded; however, demonstrated commercial pig production experience is essential.

Responsibilities

• Lead the daily performance of the breeding and farrowing departments.
• Provide technical direction across gilt development, mating, gestation, farrowing, piglet survival and weaning.
• Monitor production results and implement actions where performance is below expectations.
• Lead, support and develop the Farrowing Manager and Breeding Leading Hands.
• Ensure production schedules, protocols and work standards are consistently followed.
• Work with the company veterinarian, genetics provider and other technical advisers.
• Maintain accurate production forecasts, records and reporting.
• Coordinate labour and operational resources within approved plans and budgets.
• Drive practical continuous-improvement initiatives and production trials.
• Maintain high standards of safety, animal welfare, biosecurity and compliance.
• Work collaboratively with other departments to support livestock flow and whole-of-business outcomes.

Skills

Significant pig production experience

Breeding and farrowing knowledge

Leadership of managers or teams

Production data interpretation

Planning and problem-solving

Safety and biosecurity commitment

Written and verbal communication

Computer skills

Education

Bachelor or higher in agriculture, animal science or livestock production

Job description

Western Plains Pork is a large-scale pig production business located at Mount Mercer, near Ballarat, Victoria.

We are committed to producing pigs safely, responsibly and sustainably, with a strong focus on animal welfare, our people and continuous improvement.

Our values of Honesty, Responsibility, Respect and Resourcefulness guide how we work and the decisions we make.

As our business continues to develop, we are seeking an experienced Pig Production Manager to strengthen our technical capability and lead the daily performance of our breeding and farrowing operations.

About the Role

This is a senior, hands-on position responsible for providing technical and operational leadership across our breeding and farrowing departments.

Reporting to the CEO, you will lead the Farrowing Manager and Breeding Manager, ensuring production plans, technical protocols and expected standards are understood and consistently delivered. You will maintain a strong presence across the farm, working closely with department leaders and employees to identify performance gaps, solve problems and implement practical improvements. This position would suit an experienced pig production professional who enjoys being actively involved in farm operations and developing both production systems and people.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the daily performance of the breeding and farrowing departments.
• Provide technical direction across gilt development, mating, gestation, farrowing, piglet survival and weaning.
• Monitor production results and implement actions where performance is below expectations.
• Lead, support and develop the Farrowing Manager and Breeding Leading Hands.
• Ensure production schedules, protocols and work standards are consistently followed.
• Work with the company veterinarian, genetics provider and other technical advisers.
• Maintain accurate production forecasts, records and reporting.
• Coordinate labour and operational resources within approved plans and budgets.
• Drive practical continuous-improvement initiatives and production trials.
• Maintain high standards of safety, animal welfare, biosecurity and compliance.
• Work collaboratively with other departments to support livestock flow and whole-of-business outcomes.

About You

• Significant practical experience in commercial pig production.
• Strong technical knowledge of breeding and farrowing systems.
• Experience leading managers, supervisors or production teams.
• The ability to interpret production data and turn it into practical action.
• Strong planning, problem-solving and decision-making skills.
• A clear and respectful leadership style.
• A commitment to employee safety, animal welfare and biosecurity.
• The ability to hold people accountable while supporting their development.
• Sound written, verbal and computer skills.
• Relevant qualifications in agriculture, animal science or livestock production would be highly regarded; however, demonstrated commercial pig production experience is essential.

What We Offer

• A key leadership position within an established Australian pig production business.
• The opportunity to directly influence production performance and future development.
• Support from an experienced leadership team, veterinarian and external technical advisers.
• A business committed to continuous improvement and investing in its production systems and people.
• Competitive remuneration based on skills and experience.

Applications will be treated confidentially.

Western Plains Pork is an equal opportunity employer committed to providing a safe, respectful and inclusive workplace.