The posting
2026-10-16 to 2026-11-17
Company: Regans Ford Estate Pty Ltd
Location: Orange Springs, Western Australia 6503
Employment Type: Full-Time
Salary: $120,000 – $150,000 per annum, plus superannuation
Position Summary
Regans Ford Estate Pty Ltd is seeking an experienced and suitably qualified Production Manager to oversee and manage its agricultural packhouse production and processing operations at Orange Springs, Western Australia.
The successful applicant will be responsible for planning, organising, directing and controlling daily production activities, ensuring efficient processing and packaging operations, maintaining food safety and quality standards, managing production resources and supervising a large workforce.
The position requires a highly capable individual with demonstrated experience in agricultural packhouse operations, production management, food safety compliance and large-scale staff management.
Responsibilities
- Plan, organise, direct and control the overall operations of the agricultural packhouse, including produce handling, processing, grading, sorting, packing and dispatch.
- Develop, implement and monitor production strategies, operational policies and procedures to achieve productivity, efficiency and quality objectives.
- Manage the allocation of physical, financial and human resources to ensure production targets are achieved within established budgets and timeframes.
- Oversee production planning, workforce scheduling, equipment utilisation and production cost control.
- Ensure compliance with applicable food safety, quality assurance, workplace health and safety and industry standards.
- Lead, manage and supervise a large and diverse production workforce, including supervisors, team leaders and operational employees.
- Identify opportunities to improve production efficiency, minimise waste, reduce operational costs and maintain product quality.
- Coordinate equipment maintenance, operational improvements and the introduction of new production technologies.
Tasks
- Prepare and implement daily, weekly and seasonal production schedules based on harvest volumes, customer requirements, available resources and delivery deadlines.
- Determine production requirements, including output quantities, product specifications, labour requirements, processing capacity and operating costs.
- Supervise and coordinate the receiving, grading, sorting, processing, packaging, storage and dispatch of agricultural produce.
- Monitor production output, operational expenditure, processing efficiency and product quality, implementing corrective measures where necessary.
- Establish and monitor quality control procedures to ensure produce meets required specifications, food safety standards and customer expectations.
- Implement and maintain relevant food safety procedures, including HACCP-based systems, hygiene protocols, traceability and product handling requirements.
- Plan staff rosters, allocate duties, manage workforce performance and coordinate employee training and development.
- Monitor machinery and processing equipment, coordinate preventative maintenance and ensure the availability of necessary tools, parts and materials.
- Maintain accurate production records, operational reports, quality assurance documentation and performance statistics.
- Liaise with farm management, suppliers, logistics providers and other relevant stakeholders to coordinate production activities.
- Monitor stock levels, packaging materials, production inputs and finished products to minimise operational interruptions.
- Investigate production inefficiencies, equipment breakdowns and quality issues, implementing appropriate corrective and preventative measures.
- Coordinate the implementation of workplace health and safety procedures, risk assessments and safe operating practices.
- Evaluate existing production methods and recommend improvements to processing systems, equipment utilisation and workforce productivity.
- Report to senior management on production performance, operational costs, labour utilisation and achievement of production objectives.
Qualifications
- A relevant Bachelor's degree or higher qualification in Production Management, Manufacturing Management, Industrial Engineering, Food Science, Agricultural Business Management or a closely related discipline is preferred.
- Alternatively, a relevant formal qualification supported by substantial practical experience of at least 5 years in production management within agricultural packhouse, food processing or comparable manufacturing operations may be considered.
- Formal training or certification in HACCP, food safety management, quality assurance or workplace health and safety will be highly regarded.
- Demonstrated knowledge of production planning, resource management and manufacturing operational processes is essential.
Skills
- Strong leadership and management skills, with the ability to supervise and coordinate large production teams.
- Advanced knowledge of agricultural packhouse operations, processing systems and production management practices.
- Sound understanding of food safety requirements, HACCP principles, quality assurance and product traceability systems.
- Excellent organisational, planning and time management abilities.
- Ability to manage production budgets, monitor costs and optimise labour and equipment utilisation.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, particularly in identifying production inefficiencies and implementing improvements.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, including the ability to coordinate effectively with employees, supervisors, suppliers and senior management.
- Demonstrated ability to implement operational policies, monitor performance and maintain production standards.
- Sound understanding of workplace health and safety obligations and risk management procedures.
- Competency in production reporting, inventory management and relevant computer-based management systems.
- Ability to work effectively under pressure and meet demanding production schedules, particularly during peak seasonal periods.
Experience
- A minimum of 5 years of relevant experience in production management, preferably within agricultural packhouse operations, food processing, fresh produce packaging or a comparable manufacturing environment.
- Demonstrated experience managing agricultural produce handling, grading, sorting, processing, packing and dispatch operations.
- Proven experience in supervising and managing large-scale production workforces, including workforce planning, rostering, performance management and training.
- Practical experience implementing and maintaining food safety systems, HACCP procedures and quality assurance standards.
- Demonstrated experience in developing production schedules, managing operational budgets and achieving production targets.
- Experience coordinating machinery maintenance, equipment utilisation and process improvements.
- Proven ability to manage seasonal fluctuations in production volumes and labour requirements.
- Experience implementing strategies to improve productivity, reduce wastage and maintain consistent product quality.
Salary: $120,000 – $150,000 per annum, plus superannuation
