Free Range Broiler Farm Assistant Manager

Generous salary package – to be negotiated with the successful applicant in the range of $70k - $80k plus onsite accommodation with utilities, car, phone etc and bonus incentives. 

Role flexibility – ability to have flexibility with shifts and rosters and structure the role to suit family and personal requirements. 

Animal welfare and environmental sustainability – production is free range with birds having access to the outside environment for their benefit. The farm continues to improve amenities for livestock and staff and acts in a sustainable manner. 

Excellent career prospects – the group owns five farms with the ability to grow internally in either a production or management stream with the preference to promote from within. 

Upskilling and training prospects – the employer has programs in place to upskill staff and work with them to undertake additional training to improve staff skills. 

Work in a safe environment – we dedicate substantial resources to safety and improvements as wellbeing of our people and our livestock is of the utmost importance. 

Diverse team – the business employs over 25 staff with a genuine diversity across all roles, including people of different backgrounds, genders and flexible working arrangements. 

Truly valued – as a family-owned business, you have direct contact with the owners who are involved with the business. They value honest feedback and opportunities for improvement and your input can have fast and substantial impact. 

Education options – Two Wells is 10 to 15 minutes from the farm and offers public schooling for primary and a Christian based secondary college. 

About us: 

Ceres Poultry Group is a family owned free-ranger broiler chicken business based on the Northern Adelaide Plains and at Pt Wakefield. There are two ‘hubs’ with this role being at Pt Wakefield and the other at Two Wells. The farms all work well together with the ability to share staff if required and for managerial support from other farm managers and supervisors. The business has a fulltime operations manager and maintenance manager, and these people are key to your success. The business will support you with the production of the birds and staffing along with programmed maintenance and major repairs that are required.

Being a family-owned business, there is a direct path of communication between the farm managers and the owners. The business has the advantage of being nimble and acting quickly and decisively when needed. We value the input of our people with areas of improvement and for scheduling capital works and provide flexibility to our staff in return. Managers set their own rosters and can build in flexibility as needed ie: 4-day weeks, or longer days on with a longer period of time off. 

About the position: 

Reporting to the farm manager, the assistant manager supports the successful growth and production of broiler chickens in a free-range environment and ensuring that the farm achieves key production metrics and a profitable performance. 

You are a team leader with attention to detail to assist those in your team (3-4 people) to grow and improve their production skills. The health and well-being of our people and livestock is of the utmost importance and this should be a key focus for you. 

As an employer, we pride ourselves on an innovative and diverse culture and encourage applications from a diverse range of candidates. You may have a rural background in another intensive livestock industry but without free range broiler production experience. Regardless of circumstances or background, this is a fantastic opportunity for someone who is self-motivated and hard-working and is looking to increase their skills and knowledge in the poultry industry. 

Key position accountabilities:

1. Assist in managing staff to enhance farm performance, team cohesion and utilisation and ensure the continual growth and progression of team members within the business. You have the flexibility to structure rosters to suit your team and adapt roles to suit your staff. 

2. Maintaining strong relationships with producer company representatives to foster an open and honest communication line and optimise production levels. 

3. Maintaining a high level of farm presentation at all times and assisting the Farm Manager and Operations Manager to identify areas for improvement. 

4. Ensuring biosecurity, health and safety, environmental and animal welfare procedures are adhered to at all times.

5. Ensuring all compliance is up to date with paperwork and external certification bodies and that audit requirements are met in line with requirements.

6. Working well as part of the key management team with other farm managers and supervisors across the group, to collaborate and help each other improve the performance of their respective farms. 

7. Undertaking additional courses and personal development on occasion to assist your growth and personal development. 

Selection Criteria:

• Extensive experience in livestock production with poultry experience being highly advantageous.

• Strong and collaborative team-leader with a proven history in fostering team success. 

• Good communicator, both written and aural with a sound grasp of the English language.

• Skills in technology; computers and electronics. 

• Must be an Australian citizen or permanent resident.

• Must hold a valid driver’s licence.

• Tertiary qualifications in agriculture and or poultry production are highly regarded.

To be considered for the role, please submit a copy of your resume and a cover letter to *****@cerespoultry.com.au