Maintenance & Engineering Manager (Yerecoin/Brookton, Western Australia)

Overview

• Hay Australia is a part of the AgTrade Group which is a diversified agribusiness conglomerate with a team of talented people across Australia and key international locations.
• Join one of Australia’s fastest-growing agribusinesses with global opportunities – one of Australia’s top 500 privately owned companies in Australia.
• Opportunity to be part of a friendly and collaborative team.
• The AgTrade group was a finalist in the 2023 Queensland Export Awards.
• Part of the AgTrade group, which in 2024 is celebrating its 51st year of operation.

BACKGROUND

AgTrade is a global livestock, genetics, and food security group, headquartered in Brisbane, Australia. From our origin over 50 years ago, we have grown to own and manage a diversified portfolio of businesses committed to the vision of feeding the world with purpose, creativity and care.

We are a significant part of the Australian and New Zealand rural economy, contributing hundreds of millions of dollars every year to rural and regional economies in both nations.

We have more than 250 team members across Australia, New Zealand, and trading partner nations and maintain long-term relationships with over 15,000 farming and primary production businesses.

THE AGTRADE GROUP

AgTrade now operates 6 business units encompassing the global protein and genetics supply chain, sourcing from 7 nations with distribution to over 25 customer destinations.

BUSINESS OVERVIEW

Hay Australia prides itself on exporting quality hay to our customers around the world. Working closely with our growers, we produce a consistent, quality and compliant product for export which we deliver through our robust supply chain network.

We have recently embarked on a phase of rapid growth, which includes the recent acquisition of four hay processing facilities operating under the Hay Australia brand, making our group a leader in the Australian Export Hay industry.  

Our businesses include:

• AUSTREX Global Breeder Cattle – suppling premium beef & dairy breeding cattle
• AUSTREX Elite Breeding – specialising in airfreight of high-value breeder livestock.
• AUSTREX Northern Australia – sources beef cattle from Northern Australian producers for export to selected customers.
• Paradigm Foods - Australian-processed high-quality beef, lamb, and pork products
• NatureBase Pty Ltd – providing nature-based solutions for producers, landholders, and corporate clients. 
• AgTrade Pastoral – our virtual cattle station supporting the agile needs of the business.
• Hay Australia – Hay production and export. (Animal nutrition)

THE POSITION 

The role of Engineering & Maintenance Manager will be responsible for leading the management of the Engineering and Maintenance group production facilities, with site-based Maintenance & Engineering staff as direct reports. You will work closely with the group's National Production & Engineering Manager and the management team to ultimately aid the company in delivering on our customer promise and financial performance goals. 

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES & DUTIES 

• Lead and motivate the groupwide Maintenance & Engineering team.
• Take the Maintenance & Engineering team on a path of continuous improvement.
• Determining, implementing and monitoring engineering strategies, policies and plans to manage & enhance the performance of the facilities
• Interpreting plans, drawings and specifications, and providing advice on engineering methods and procedures to achieve construction and production requirements
• Establishing project schedules and budgets
• Ensuring conformity with specifications and plans, and with laws, regulations and safety standards
• Ensuring engineering standards of quality, cost, safety, timeliness and performance are observed
• Overseeing maintenance requirements to optimise efficiency
• Liaising with marketing, research and manufacturing managers regarding engineering aspects of new construction and product design
• Contribute to research and development projects

PREFERRED SKILLS 

• Demonstrated experience managing people and promoting an effective team environment.
• Excellent communication skills and ability to motivate individuals to ensure the company's shared vision and goals are achieved.
• Excellent understanding of mechanical manufacturing & worksite safety.
• Experience in an unpredictable and at times, high-pressure environment. 
• The ability to create collaborative and productive working relationships with relevant stakeholders 
• A customer service focus.
• Attention to detail, excellent time management and organisational skills.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills 
• The proven ability to work both autonomously and as part of a team.
• Previous experience in manufacturing, maintenance and/or safety.
• Confident around software systems.  Experience with MEX & OFS environment preferred. 
• Bachelor of Engineering (Mechanical or Electrical) or Higher Education/Diploma

The role is a full-time permanent position based at the Brookton/Yerecoin site in Western Australia. A generous salary package is on offer plus tools of the trade, accommodation including utilities and a vehicle. 

If this sounds like the role for you, apply now including a cover letter and CV. Remuneration will be commensurate with experience. Please include your salary expectations in your cover letter.