About the Opportunity

The Farm Manager will oversee the entire production cycle for 300 acres of table grapes and 300 acres of citrus, from vineyard/citrus orchard planning and cultural practices through to harvest, post-harvest handling, and coordination with the packing/export teams. The role requires a seasoned horticultural professional with proven expertise in large-scale fruit production, people leadership, and commercial agribusiness management.

ABOUT THE EMPLOYER

J & F Lazzara & Sons Pty Ltd is a family-owned, vertically integrated grower–packer–marketer of premium table grapes (90% of production) and citrus (10% of production, including oranges and mandarins). Based in Robinvale, Victoria, the company has over 1300 acres under production, combining traditional horticultural expertise with advanced post-harvest, quality assurance, and export logistics.

Export Ready: DAFF-accredited for on-farm inspections and direct container loading
Certifications: HACCP, GlobalG.A.P., HARPS, Sedex, Fair Farms
Varietal Portfolio: Industry-leading seedless grape varieties (including proprietary IFG, SNFL, ITUM, ARRA lines) with staggered harvest windows from January to July, plus quality citrus lines.
Markets: Domestic wholesale, supermarket programs, and international exports to premium markets.

Key Responsibilities

·Crop Management

·Develop, implement, and monitor annual horticultural programs for both grapes and citrus, aligned with varietal requirements and market windows.

· Oversee irrigation scheduling, nutrient programs, pest/disease control (including IPM), pruning, canopy management, thinning, and harvest timing.

·Monitor crop health, growth, and yield forecasts to meet production and quality targets.

·Staff & Contractor Management

·Recruit, train, roster, and supervise permanent, seasonal, and contract labour.

·Ensure productivity, adherence to QA protocols, and compliance with WHS obligations.

·Lead workforce planning to meet seasonal peaks, including harvest and packing.

Machinery & Infrastructure

·Manage maintenance schedules for tractors, harvest aids, sprayers, forklifts, irrigation pumps, and other farm equipment.

·Ensure trellis systems, irrigation networks, and storage facilities are kept in optimal condition.

·Quality Assurance & Compliance

·Maintain HACCP, GlobalG.A.P., HARPS, and Fair Farms compliance across all operations.

·Ensure full traceability from paddock to packhouse, including harvest and post-harvest handling.

·Liaise with export authorities (DAFF) for inspection readiness.

·Budgeting & Reporting

·Prepare and manage annual farm budgets for inputs, labour, and capital works.

·Track expenditure, report variances, and provide production forecasts to the Board.

· Recommend improvements in operational efficiency and profitability.

·Work closely with the packing shed to align harvest volumes and quality standards.

 WORKING CONDITIONS

•Role based on-site in Robinvale, VIC, with extended hours during seasonal peaks.

•Outdoor work in varying weather conditions.

•Flexible roster arrangements during harvest and export preparation periods.

Qualifications & Experience

Essential

•Minimum 5 years of proven management experience in large-scale commercial fruit production (preferably table grapes and citrus).

•Strong agronomic knowledge relevant to viticulture and citrus production.

•Demonstrated leadership and workforce management capabilities, including supervision of large seasonal teams.

•Practical experience with modern horticultural machinery and irrigation systems.

• High-level organisational and time management skills.

•Understanding of HACCP, GlobalG.A.P., HARPS, and other industry QA systems.

•Current driver’s licence; ChemCert accreditation; forklift licence.

Desirable

•Tertiary qualification in Agriculture, Horticulture, or Viticulture.

•HR truck licence.

•Experience in export protocols and post-harvest QA.

•Mechanical aptitude for equipment maintenance.

Salary & Benefits

·Salary: Starting from AUD $95,000 per annum, based on experience.

·Superannuation: 12% of ordinary time earnings

· Annual Leave: 4 weeks of paid annual leave per year.

· Sick & Carer’s Leave: 10 days of paid personal/carer’s leave per year.

· Vehicle: Company vehicle and fuel provided for work purposes.

Living and Working in Robinvale, Victoria

The town of Robinvale is located between the Murray River towns of Mildura and Swan Hill in the north-west of Victoria. Robinvale is a picturesque holiday spot, situated on a peninsula of land surrounded on three sides by the Murray River. South of the town centre are large irrigated fruit and vegetable farms and vineyards. The town centre of Robinvale is attractive and well-laid out, featuring wide streets and well-maintained gardens. Its commercial centre is primarily situated in tree-lined Perrin Street which leads to Caix Square - a central park with memorials related to the region's history.

Learn more: https://www.visitrobinvale.com.au