Production Supervisor - TC Lab

• Join a global berry brand and support the quality behind Driscoll's premium varieties
• Lead daily production activities within our Tissue Culture Lab, coordinating people, workflow and output to achieve production targets
• Start of the art TC facility based in Pakenham, VIC

THE OPPORTUNITY

Set on an expansive site with brand-new facilities and equipment, including a state-of-the-art 1,200 sqm Tissue Culture (TC) Laboratory capable of accommodating up to 50 staff, we have an exciting opportunity for an experienced Production Supervisor to join our team and oversee daily tissue culture operations.

Reporting to the Laboratory Manager, you will provide day-to-day leadership, guidance and support to a team of Laboratory Technicians and Assistants, ensuring production quality and quantity targets are achieved while maintaining high standards of safety, quality and compliance.

Ideally, you will have experience within horticulture, a commercial plant nursery or a plant tissue culture environment, along with demonstrated experience leading production, quality or laboratory teams. Strong communication and interpersonal skills are essential, as you will be responsible for coaching, training and developing staff while ensuring established protocols and procedures are consistently followed.

Key responsibilities include:

• Supporting the day-to-day operation of the TC Laboratory, including rostering, work allocation, training, documentation management, hygiene controls and production reporting.
• Assisting with production planning activities and coordinating plant deliveries to nurseries and third-party laboratories.
• Monitoring media inventory levels to ensure availability meets production requirements, while maintaining accurate stock control records.
• Leading and supporting laboratory staff to ensure safe work practices and compliance with laboratory procedures.
• Recording, maintaining and reporting on tissue culture production activities and performance metrics.
• Inducting, training and developing team members in tissue culture propagation techniques and laboratory best practices.
• Supporting continuous improvement initiatives to enhance laboratory efficiency, quality and productivity.

SKILLS & EXPERIENCE

To be considered for this role, applicants will need to demonstrate capabilities in the following:

• Qualifications or experience in horticulture, agriculture, plant science, biotechnology, laboratory operations, or a related field.
• Experience leading or supervising teams within a horticultural, nursery, laboratory, manufacturing, or other production environments.
• Demonstrated ability to coordinate daily operations, prioritise workloads and achieve production targets in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to train, coach and develop team members.
• Excellent organisational skills and attention to detail, including experience maintaining accurate records and operational documentation.
• Experience using Microsoft Office and production, inventory or laboratory management systems.
• Knowledge of quality systems, hygiene protocols and workplace health and safety requirements within a production or laboratory environment.
• A proactive approach to problem-solving and continuous improvement.
• Willingness to support hands-on laboratory activities and provide practical assistance to the team when required.
• Current driver's licence and ability to travel between sites as required.
• Previous experience in plant tissue culture, nursery propagation or a commercial horticulture environment will be highly regarded.
• First Aid certification and/or relevant safety qualifications would be advantageous.
• Current valid driver’s licence required
• Valid unrestricted Australian working rights

ABOUT US

Driscoll’s Australia is an exciting joint venture company owned by Costa Group - Australia’s leading integrated growing and marketer of premium quality fresh produce and Driscoll’s (USA) – the world’s market leader in berries.  Partnering with a broad grower base across a national footprint, Driscoll’s Australia supplies year round delicious, branded berries to consumers using exclusively patented varieties developed by our joint venture partners breeding programs. Since our inception we have successfully achieved significant yearly growth and market share, enabling us to become the market leader in our category.

BENEFITS

Want to join Driscoll’s? Our passion for berries extends to nurturing our people, we invest in your growth and prosperity through various benefits:

• Paid Parental Leave: Up to 12 weeks’ pay for the primary carer and up to 2 weeks for the secondary carer.
• Mentoring and Coaching: Programs designed to support your professional development with our local and global teams
• Employee Reward and Recognition: Service recognition awards and access to perks and discounted products through our recognition program
• Annual Health Program: Seasonal flu shots onsite 
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP): Tailored well-being programs, confidential advice and big brand discounts!

Employee benefits are subject to eligibility requirements, please visit our website to learn more about accessing our benefits as a Driscoll’s employee.

Experience the Driscoll’s difference. Apply now to connect with our friendly team and learn more about the exceptional employee experience at Driscoll’s.

Apply now

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