Sector Manager (Aquaculture Farmer)

Pacific Biotechnologies (Pacific Bio) is an Australian biotech company focussed on addressing the global issue of water purity and sustainable food production using nature. 

Having a direct impact on some of the greatest environmental challenges of our time, our Australian developed green technology harnesses the regenerative power of algae to clean wastewater, enable sustainable seafood production and manufacture value-added plant and animal nutrition products in a closed loop economy. 

Pacific Reef Fisheries (PRF), part of the Pacific Bio family of Companies, provides award winning, sustainable Black Tiger Prawns to premium markets across Australia. Pacific Reef Fisheries is one of Australia’s leading prawn producers based in Ayr, and Guthalungra (Queensland).

We are setting a new standard in sustainable aquaculture and look forward to hearing from enthusiastic and motivated people looking for a great career in Australian aquaculture.

Pacific Reef Fisheries has organised its farm into distinct sectors with the newly created role of Sector Manager (Aquaculture Farmer) being responsible for coordinating and conducting optimal prawn production within a sector of the farm operations to ensure production targets are met on time and within budget. This role will ensure planning, daily management and supervision of the sector production team to guarantee the supply of the highest quality prawns to the processing facility. The role is required to work closely with the other sector and technical teams.

The Sector Manager is expected to be one of the internal experts in pond-based prawn farming and as such should have demonstrated level of technical competence consistent with the responsibilities of the role. They should be prepared to challenge themselves and their staff to perform better, looking for continual improvement in process and outcomes. It is expected that the Sector Manager (Aquaculture Farmer) will be a key contributor to the technical leadership of the business.

Pacific Reef Fisheries operates a flat organisational structure and as such supervisors and managers are expected to contribute to day-to-day tasking as required. The role requires an individual who can lead from the front and is not scared to “roll up their sleeves” to ensure that production is delivered.

Technical Duties

1. Manage all aspects of prawn production from PL receipt through to harvest
2. Manage all aspects of sector biological, water and human resources
3. Responsible for production outcomes of sector
4. Feed management and growth performance
5. Technical management across the sector
6. Responsibility for delivering yield, FCR and growth for the sector
7. Deliver training and supervision to technicians to ensure that routine husbandry activities comply with production protocols and are carried out effectively and safely
8. Monitor and supervise the activities of technicians
9. Ensure “in pond support” activities remain compliant with safe work practices, environmental factors and optimal prawn development and growth
10. Educate and train support teams on emerging and new technology related to pond systems and management
11. Manage prawn performance and associated data and reporting
12. Monitor and manage feed requirements
13. Manage biosecurity and prawn health within the farm
14. Monitor and manage health performance, including initiating interventions to ensure optimal health
15. Provide technical management across the sector and contribute to the overall knowledge and technical ability of the group as a whole
16. Take ownership and responsibility for production outcomes of sector
17. Liaise and provide technical input to Manager – Farm Grow Out to develop future stocking and harvest schedules
18. Oversee transportation of aquatic stock to new ponds

To be shortlisted for the is role, you will require a Degree in Aquaculture, or similar discipline (e.g., Fisheries, Aquaculture engineering, Marine biology)

• Extensive relevant industry experience, minimum of 10 years’ working knowledge of a prawn/shrimp farm.
• Specific experience with Penaeus monodon is preferred but other species such as L Vannamei and F. merguensis or F. indicus are acceptable.
• Demonstrated progression of management & supervisory roles within a technical and commercial aquaculture setting.
• Demonstrated experience working in a fast-paced, result-oriented environment; proven ability to execute quickly and creatively solve problems;
• Detail oriented and meticulous.
• Demonstrated experience with managing relationships.
• Proven ability to handle ambiguity and to work collaboratively with cross-functional teams or alone.
• Demonstrated ability to lead a team and provide technical mentorship.

• Looking for candidates available to work:
  • Monday: Morning, Afternoon
  • Tuesday: Morning, Afternoon
  • Wednesday: Morning, Afternoon
  • Thursday: Morning, Afternoon
  • Friday: Morning, Afternoon
  • Saturday: Morning, Afternoon
  • Sunday: Morning, Afternoon
• More than 4 years of relevant work experience required for this role
• Working rights required for this role
• Expected start date for role: 01 May 2024
• Expected salary: $80,000 - $100,000 per year