Fruit Farm Worker (Orchard Supervisor)

Margaret River Blueberries (JPT Ventures Pty Ltd)

Margaret River, Bunbury & South West WA

Horticulture (Farming, Animals & Conservation)

Full Time

Salary AUD$69,000 to AUD$75,000 + Superannuation

Our Business

Margaret River Blueberries is a locally owned and operated orchard specialising in the cultivation and harvest of premium quality blueberries. Our business is built on a supportive management team, with a progressive outlook towards expanding the fresh fruit market within Western Australia.

About the Role

We have an exciting opportunity available to join our operation as a Fruit Farm Worker reporting to the Orchard Manager. This role will primarily require the supervision of picking and pruning teams through the peak harvest period. Other tasks may include general orchard operational work including planting, picking, pruning, yield estimates, spraying, irrigation, machine operation, along with general maintenance of the premises as informed by the Orchard Manager.

The successful candidate will provide direction, training and mentoring to farm workers whilst striving for operational productivity and efficiency improvements, along with fostering our values as a great place to work.

Responsibilities and Duties

Supervise, train and mentor a temporary workforce in developing their picking/pruning skillsets, along with supporting the hiring and on-boarding of temporary workers as required.

Oversee fruit quality control during fruit picking selection and field sorting to meet the high standards of our retailers.

Able to effectively communicate instructions to people with a diverse range of backgrounds.

Keep track of temporary workforce performance. Identify and inform any performance issues.

Carry out yield estimates and forecasts for upcoming harvest periods.

Maintain quality record keeping during harvest and post-harvest operational activity as informed by the Orchard Manager.

Ensure all orchard practices are consistent with Freshcare, HACCP and Food Safety Regulations and guidelines, including the training and education of any temporary workforce.

Demonstrate a strong continuous improvement mindset, identifying opportunities to improve process efficiency and recommendations to the Orchard Manager.

Operate orchard machinery and power equipment (tractor, mower, spray units etc), along with supporting maintenance and upkeep of this equipment. Experience in operating machinery desirable.

Maintaining and cleaning farming infrastructure and equipment such as sheds, fences, plant, and water supply and irrigation systems.

Experience working in a Blueberry orchard and overseeing harvest and pruning teams would be considered highly favourable.

The position is available on a full-time basis. Work is Monday to Friday in off season. During peak harvest operations (November and December) additional hours and availability on weekends is also necessary, in accordance with the Orchard Manager’s requirements.