Overseer

About Ferguson Hyams

Ferguson Hyams Investment Management (FHIM) is one of Australia’s fastest-growing agricultural investment and livestock businesses, focused on sustainable sheep production, premium protein and supporting regional communities. We’re proud to invest in Australian agriculture, create local jobs, and help feed growing markets both here and overseas.

About the role

The Farm Overseer position will support and assist in the day-to-day management of a sheep grazing and feeding operation in the Central West region of NSW. The purpose of this role is to oversee daily farm operations including feeding, livestock management/monitoring, pen management, machinery operation, assisting with farm logistics and general maintenance. This role will also include broader farm duties and responsibilities such as maintenance and upgrades of water infrastructure, fencing/yards infrastructure and general property maintenance.

It’s a hands-on, entry-level leadership position suited to someone with strong sheep enterprise experience, solid machinery skills, and experience working with a team of working dogs.

This is an on-site role based at Forbes NSW. Local candidates, or those willing to relocate, are encouraged to apply.

Key Responsibilities

1. Livestock Handling and Animal Health

• Assist in daily livestock monitoring, feeding, welfare, water and pen management.
• Identify and report livestock health/welfare issues in coordination with the Farm Manager.
• Assist with onboarding/outboarding of stock (scanning, treatments, weighing) and the husbandry program (health treatments, shearing, foot bathing).
• Lead and support low-stress stock handling, predominantly using working dogs.

2. Feeding and Machinery Operation

• Operate heavy and light machinery, including tractors, loaders, feed mixers and water trucks.
• Assist feed preparation and delivery, bunk management, trough monitoring and pen maintenance.
• Ensure and coordinate pre-start checks and basic maintenance on all machinery before use.

3. Team Coordination and Communication

• Assist the farm manager with coordinating priorities for the farm and operational team.
• Communicate daily instructions clearly and respectfully to staff, contractors and other team members.
• Report livestock, infrastructure, machinery, biosecurity or safety issues in a timely manner.
• Assist with toolbox meetings, safety discussions and day-to-day operational planning.
• Support a positive, practical and professional team culture.

4. Record Keeping, WHS Compliance and Biosecurity

• Oversee the recording of all necessary data in AgriWebb, Datamars Livestock systems or similar systems – including deaths, mob movements and tasks.
• Maintain accurate records of feeding activities, animal health and operational tasks.
• Follow and oversee all workplace health and safety, animal welfare and biosecurity protocols.
• Immediately report livestock, infrastructure, machinery, biosecurity or safety issues in a timely manner.

5. General Farm Support

• Coordinate and assist with necessary maintenance or upgrades for fencing infrastructure, water infrastructure and machinery maintenance.
• Support general farm cleanliness/presentation and biosecurity protocols.
• Assist with and identify with ad-hoc property maintenance as it arises.

About You

A reliable and practical agricultural professional with experience in large-scale sheep operations and confident working in a fast-paced environment, operating machinery, daily feeding, observing livestock performance machinery, animal health treatments, and coordinating daily tasks within a team.

Key Skills & Competencies

• Proven livestock handling experience in sheep enterprises, ideally with training or demonstrated competency in low-stress stock handling.
• Strong observation and decision-making skills — able to identify operational, livestock and safety issues early and escalate them to management.
• Competent operating a range of heavy and light machinery, with general mechanical knowledge and a high standard of machinery care.
• Clear, professional and respectful communicator with management, staff and contractors.
• Adaptable, with a willingness to take on a range of tasks as daily priorities shift.
• Reliable record-keeping and follow-through on task completion.

Essential Qualifications and Experience

• Valid driver’s licence
• Q-fever vaccination or willingness to get one
• Three to five years of experience in a large-scale sheep enterprise or mixed farm
• Experience with livestock management software such as AgriWebb.
• Experience working with and maintaining a team of working dogs.
• Experience with animal welfare, WHS and biosecurity requirements.

Nice to have

• HR or MR licence
• Mechanical aptitude
• Previous experience in a senior operations role
• Experience coordinating staff and contractors
• Experience operating heavy and light machinery

Other Requirements

• The role will require weekend work and after-hours work as needed.
• The successful applicant must be physically capable of working in outdoor conditions and safely performing manual farm duties.
• Travel to other properties or worksites may be required from time to time.
• The position may be subject to a probation period and reference checks.

What we offer

• Structured career progression and grading framework
• Ongoing training and development opportunities
• Clear expectations and measurable performance goals
• A supportive environment focused on developing and retaining great people

We are committed to developing our people and providing clear opportunities for career progression. Our structured grading framework gives employees a clear pathway to build their skills, take on greater responsibility and progress within the business.