State Operations Manager (QLD)

• Join a global leading berry brand
• Oversee the regional grower base in Bundaberg
• Competitive Pkg + vehicle + incentives
• Operational role 

THE ROLE

We have an exciting opportunity for an experienced operations manager to join our QLD team. You will be implementing both strategic and tactical plans extending to the Bundaberg and other QLD production regions in this pivotal role responsible for the coordination and execution of operational activities through the application of national Driscoll’s standards. Some key deliverables of your role will include: 

• Production & Profitability: Developing and executing regional seasonal plans including harvest and post-harvest plans extending to fruit and packaging forecasts, as well as coordinating the flow of fruit from farm to customer. 
• Operational Management: Ensuring operational plans deliver optimum production yields for the regional grower base as well as operational oversight of internal regional teams including DC teams. 
• Plant Supply: Assist in maintaining the grower 5-year plan and executing the plant supply process through coordinated efforts with key internal teams (planning team) extending to plant specifications, submission of long-term plant order and related delivery plans for plant material. 
• Compliance & Sustainability: Monitoring compliance across quality, food safety and sustainability plans and providing hands-on support to our regional grower base to ensure audit readiness for certification extending to HARPS, FreshCare, Fair Farms or equivalent.
• People & Leadership: Providing sound leadership and guidance to regional teams including and resolution of day-to-day people issues as they arise. 

In addition, the role will require the dissemination of best-practice agronomic advice supported by Driscoll’s national experts, extending to pest & disease management, plant health & nutrition, irrigation management as well as advanced methods of fruit production practices including substrate systems.

A detailed Position Description can be obtained by contacting sonia.murat@driscolls.com.au 

SKILLS & EXPERIENCE

We are ideally seeking applicants who have a strong operational background within the agricultural sector. Technical agronomic skills is not required. Some key criteria include:

• Strong exp. within soft fruit sector is preferred
• Strong negotiation and interpersonal relationship building skills 
• Previous experience in leading small teams 
• No restricted working rights and drivers licence

BENEFITS

In return you will be joining a successful and growing company in a challenging yet rewarding role full of variety, providing strategic, operational and leadership opportunities. You will be part of a team of strong operational and technical staff, providing you with support to achieve your key objectives as well as working in a fast-paced environment where you can exercise autonomous decision-making. This is a leadership position with opportunities for professional growth. 

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.