Horticulture Grower

Horticulture Grower — Gatton, Lockyer Valley

Sequre Care is recruiting on behalf of our client, Divya Agriculture Management Pty Ltd.

Divya Agriculture Management Pty Ltd is a Queensland horticultural operation based in Gatton, in the heart of the Lockyer Valley — one of Australia's most intensive vegetable and horticultural production regions. On behalf of our client, Sequre Care is seeking an experienced Horticulture Grower to take hands-on responsibility for their horticultural production program on a full-time, ongoing basis.

This is a genuine growing role with real decision-making responsibility. The successful applicant will manage the horticultural crop cycle from propagation and planting through to harvest and post-harvest handling, making the agronomic and operational calls that drive yield, quality and pack-out. The position is a direct, permanent appointment with Divya Agriculture Management Pty Ltd.

Key responsibilities

• Plan and manage horticultural production programs, including crop selection, succession planting schedules, rotations and yield targets
• Prepare growing beds and soil, and determine planting densities, spacing and establishment methods for each crop and block
• Manage propagation, seedling establishment and transplanting operations
• Monitor crop growth, plant health and development, and adjust nutrition, irrigation and cultural practices in response to field and seasonal conditions
• Design and manage irrigation and fertigation schedules, including water use efficiency and nutrient programs
• Scout for pests, weeds and diseases and implement integrated pest management programs, including safe and compliant agricultural chemical application
• Plan and coordinate harvest operations — timing, labour requirements, picking standards, grading, packing and cool-chain handling
• Manage post-harvest quality and produce specifications to meet buyer and market requirements
• Operate, monitor and arrange servicing of horticultural machinery, planting and spraying equipment and irrigation infrastructure
• Supervise, train and direct farm staff and seasonal harvest workers, including task allocation and on-the-job supervision
• Maintain production, spray, chemical and traceability records to industry and regulatory standards, including on-farm food safety requirements
• Source inputs (seed, seedlings, fertiliser, chemicals) and liaise with agronomists, contractors, packers and buyers
• Monitor input costs, production budgets and crop performance, and report to management

About you

• Relevant qualification in horticulture, agriculture or a related field, and/or substantial demonstrated experience in commercial horticultural production
• Proven practical experience across the full horticultural production cycle in a commercial growing operation
• Sound agronomic knowledge — soil health and nutrition, irrigation and fertigation, and crop protection in horticultural crops
• Experience with harvest planning, grading standards and post-harvest handling
• Ability to supervise, train and coordinate a farm and seasonal harvest workforce
• Understanding of Australian WHS, chemical handling and on-farm food safety obligations (ChemCert/AC(DC) accreditation and a current driver's licence highly regarded)
• Strong planning and problem-solving skills, with the ability to work independently and make sound decisions in the field
• Physically fit and able to work outdoors in variable weather, with flexibility during peak planting and harvest periods

What's on offer

• Full-time, ongoing position with an annual salary of $75,000 – $85,000 plus superannuation, commensurate with skills and experience
• A genuine decision-making role with direct responsibility for the production program
• A stable, supportive operation in an established Lockyer Valley growing region

How to apply

Applications are managed by Sequre Care on behalf of Divya Agriculture Management Pty Ltd.

Please email your resume and a brief cover letter outlining your horticultural production experience to *******************, quoting "Horticulture Grower — Gatton" in the subject line.