Farming Manager - Far North Queensland

About the role

Costa, a global grower, packer and marketer of fresh fruit and vegetables, is looking for an experienced Farm Manager to lead farming activities across multiple farms in Far North Queensland. Reporting to the Regional Manager, the role covers crop management, farm maintenance, harvest preparation and workforce coordination, with regular travel between farms and flexibility for seasonal workloads.

Key responsibilities

• Lead and coordinate farming activities across multiple farms in the FNQ region
• Oversee crop management, farm maintenance, harvest preparation and seasonal farming activities
• Monitor crop health, fruit quality, yield forecasts and farm performance, addressing key risks as they arise
• Lead, coach and develop farm teams, supporting workforce planning and resource allocation
• Work with horticultural, irrigation, harvest and technical teams to deliver crop and production plans
• Contribute to farm budgets, operational plans, forecasts and performance reporting
• Ensure all activities meet safety, food safety, quality, environmental and legislative requirements

Required profile

• Demonstrated experience managing horticultural or agricultural farming activities
• Experience leading and developing teams
• Experience managing farm expenditure, budgets and resources
• Ability to interpret production, quality, yield, labour and cost information
• Regular travel between farms across the FNQ operation
• Berry or blueberry production experience highly regarded; H&S, first aid or leadership training desirable

Required skills

• Practical knowledge of crop production, crop protection and farm maintenance
• Strong planning, decision-making and problem-solving skills
• Strong communication and stakeholder management skills
• Microsoft Office and relevant farm or business systems
• Chemical application accreditation, or ability to obtain it

What we offer

• A key operational leadership role across Costa's FNQ farms
• Competitive pay, supportive management and a great team culture
• Career growth opportunities within a leading horticultural business
• Exposure to modern horticultural practices and production systems