Assistant Farm Manager

• Help manage flood irrigation across 854ha of cotton on a modern property
• Hands-on role with real ownership across the team, fleet, and irrigation program
• On-farm housing and a direct reporting line to an experienced Farm Manager

Your next employer

Ruvigne Station is located 5km east of Gunnedah on the Mooki River. The property spans 2,658ha, including 854ha of modern flood irrigation supported by 4,000ML of water storage. The farming program typically includes around 450ha of irrigated cotton each season, double-cropped with irrigated wheat, alongside a 1000ha dryland no-till summer/winter rotation.

The team is established, with good continuity across the key roles. The Farm Manager is hands-on, down-to-earth, and invested in developing the people around him. Most field operations are run in-house across a predominantly John Deere fleet, with picking contracted.

The owners are continuing to invest in the property, with earthworks, laser levelling, and dryland expansion on the agenda. For the right individual, this offers scope for further responsibility and professional development rather than stepping into a role that is purely about maintaining the status quo.

The role

Reporting to the Farm Manager, you’ll help run the day-to-day across the crew, irrigation program, and machinery fleet, working through the full seasonal program on the ground.

Flood irrigation is a core part of the role. Confidence with flood systems will matter from the outset, including scheduling, execution, and maintaining consistency across the season. Beyond that, the role covers fleet preparation and machinery readiness, cropping operations across both the irrigated and dryland programs, onboarding and directing casuals during peak periods, and coordinating contractors as needed.

The permanent crew know the property well, take pride in their work, and operate to a high standard. This role will suit someone who brings structure, follows things through, and earns trust by how they operate day to day. The Farm Manager backs his team to take initiative, so sound judgement and a willingness to take ownership are key.

Key responsibilities

• Operational leadership: Organise the team day to day, see tasks through end-to-end, and direct casuals during peak season. Onboard them, set clear priorities, and keep work moving.
• Flood irrigation: Help manage scheduling and execution across 854ha of flood irrigation. Maintain consistency through the season and support water use across both enterprises.
• Fleet management: Prepare and configure the predominantly John Deere fleet before work starts each day. Operate machinery across farm activities and handle routine servicing and troubleshooting.
• Cropping operations: Support planting, spraying, sowing, and seasonal work across both irrigated and dryland areas, with a strong focus on timing and execution.
• Contractor and supplier coordination: Coordinate contractors and suppliers as required.
• Safety and systems: Follow safe work practices across all farm activities and build competency with farm management software and record-keeping tools.

What you bring

• Current or recent experience as an Assistant Farm Manager / 2IC, Senior Farm Hand, or similar hands-on operational role, preferably within an irrigated cropping environment.
• Strong mechanical aptitude, with the ability to handle routine setup, servicing, and troubleshooting without escalating every issue.
• A calm, organised approach during peak periods when the pace lifts.
• Practical leadership built on consistency, follow-through, and the ability to work well with others.
• A self-starting attitude and the ability to take direction, stay on task, and get on with the job.

Desirable:

• John Deere equipment familiarity.
• Experience managing contractors/casuals during peak agricultural periods.
• Exposure to farm software and record-keeping systems.

Individuals seeking to step up into a management role are encouraged to apply.

What you'll gain

• Package: $100k - $110k + Super + work vehicle.
• Housing: On-farm house provided, including utilities.
• Support: Work directly with an experienced Farm Manager who backs his people.
• Opportunity: Contribute to an operation with further development planned.
• Location: Just 5km from Gunnedah.

How to step forward For more information or a confidential chat, please contact Dai Yoshida, Talent Manager, on 0413 000 844 or Nick Marchant, Director, on 0466 333 066.

Who are March

March offers permanent recruitment and workforce planning services tailored exclusively to Australian agribusinesses. We're about connecting top talent with great businesses - plain and simple.