Farm Manager – Chilimony Aggregation

Northampton / Geraldton / Port Gregory WA
Large-scale broadacre cropping | KLK Farms’ largest aggregation | Family residence | Vehicle | Bonus potential

KLK Farms Pty Ltd, supported by Farming Management Services Pty Ltd, is seeking an experienced Farm Manager to lead the Chilimony aggregation, the largest aggregation in the KLK Farms portfolio.

A minimum of 5-8 years' farm management experience is required for this position.

Located north-west of Northampton, within practical reach of Geraldton and close to the coast at Port Gregory, Chilimony offers a rare opportunity to lead a significant broadacre farming operation while enjoying the lifestyle benefits of Western Australia’s Mid West and Coral Coast.

Chilimony operates a large-scale broadacre program of approximately 12,000 hectares, with a focus on wheat, canola and lupins. This is a senior hands-on leadership role suited to a practical, organised and commercially minded farm manager who enjoys scale, responsibility, machinery, people leadership and the challenge of delivering timely farm operations across a substantial aggregation.

The successful candidate will take responsibility for the day-to-day leadership and management of Chilimony, including seasonal planning, seeding, spraying, fertiliser, crop monitoring, harvest preparation, grain logistics, machinery readiness, staff coordination, WHS, reporting and general farm presentation.

Essential experience in wheat and canola production is required for this role.

Candidates must demonstrate experience managing farm operations of 6,000-8,000 hectares.

This role offers scale, structure, lifestyle and the backing of an established farm management platform.

About KLK Farms and FMS

Farming Management Services Pty Ltd has acted as managing agent for the KLK Farms Pty Ltd portfolio since its inception in 1966. The broader business manages multiple farming aggregations across Western Australia and is supported by Kuala Lumpur Kepong Berhad, a global agribusiness group.

The business has a strong focus on disciplined farm execution, practical decision-making, WHS, people leadership, machinery efficiency, property stewardship and long-term value protection.

About the role

As Farm Manager, you will have overall responsibility for the operation and performance of Chilimony. You will lead permanent and seasonal staff, coordinate the annual farm program and work closely with FMS management, agronomists, contractors and suppliers to ensure operations are completed safely, efficiently and on time.

This is a role for someone who can plan early, communicate clearly and keep people, machinery, inputs and timing aligned through the pressure periods of seeding, spraying and harvest.

Chilimony’s scale requires a manager who is comfortable with logistics, detail and accountability. You will need to be confident coordinating large machinery, managing seasonal labour, maintaining WHS standards, controlling costs and ensuring the farm program is executed with discipline.

The role is hands-on and seasonal. Peak periods will require extended hours, sound judgement and a calm, organised approach to managing competing priorities.

Key responsibilities

In this role, you will:

• Lead the annual cropping program across seeding, spraying, fertiliser, crop monitoring and harvest.

• Manage permanent and seasonal staff, including task allocation, training, safety, performance and day-to-day leadership.

• Oversee machinery, vehicles, plant and equipment to maximise reliability, minimise downtime and maintain operational efficiency.

• Coordinate grain logistics, harvest planning and receival requirements during peak periods.

• Work with FMS, advisers, contractors and suppliers to implement crop plans, input programs and seasonal priorities.

• Maintain accurate farm records, including operations, inventories, production, plant, grain, livestock and management reporting.

• Manage farm budgets, operating costs, repairs and capital planning in line with business expectations.

• Maintain a strong WHS culture across machinery, vehicles, chemical handling, workshops and general farm operations.

• Identify operational risks early and develop practical plans for weather, labour, machinery, pests, disease and seasonal constraints.

• Drive continuous improvement in farm systems, technology, reporting, machinery efficiency and property presentation.

About you

The successful candidate will be an experienced broadacre operator and leader who can combine practical farm knowledge with strong planning, people management and operational discipline.

You will ideally bring:

• Proven experience in broadacre crop production, preferably in WA wheatbelt or Mid West conditions.

• Experience managing, or being 2IC on, a sizeable cropping program.

• Strong machinery knowledge across large-scale seeding, spraying and harvest operations.

• The ability to lead and motivate permanent and seasonal staff.

• Strong communication skills with employees, suppliers, advisers, contractors and management.

• Good attention to detail in planning, record keeping, reporting and operational follow-through.

• A sound understanding of budgets, cost control, farm inputs and seasonal decision-making.

• A modern and diligent approach to WHS.

• Confidence using farm technology, data, precision agriculture tools and farm management systems.

• A practical, accountable and solutions-focused approach.

Experience with variable soil types, soil amelioration programs, large machinery fleets and complex harvest logistics will be highly regarded.

A full Western Australian driver’s licence is required. Heavy Combination licence, ChemCert or equivalent chemical accreditation, forklift, first aid, working at heights and confined-space accreditation will be highly regarded.

Location and lifestyle

Chilimony is located north-west of Northampton, around 45 minutes from Geraldton depending on residence location and route, and close to the coastal community of Port Gregory.

Northampton provides a strong local community base with schooling, local medical services, recreation facilities, sport, community groups and everyday town services. The town includes Northampton District High School, St Mary’s Catholic School, a community centre, oval, basketball, netball, tennis, badminton and squash courts, gym, bowling club, golf club and skate park.

Geraldton provides the broader regional service centre, including major health services, retail, schooling, sport, airport connections and coastal recreation. Geraldton Health Campus includes a 24-hour emergency department, maternity and newborn services, medical imaging, specialist services, paediatrics, renal, surgical services and telehealth. Geraldton Airport provides daily flight services to Perth.

Port Gregory and the surrounding Coral Coast provide a strong lifestyle drawcard, with beaches, fishing, diving, Hutt Lagoon / Pink Lake, reef coastline and coastal weekends close to home.

This role will suit someone who wants the scale and satisfaction of leading a major broadacre operation while still having access to a local community, regional services and the coast.

Package

A competitive remuneration package will be negotiated with the successful applicant, commensurate with experience.

The package includes:

• Manager’s residence suitable for family living.

• Utilities.

• Work vehicle with provision for personal use.

• Telecommunications and computer hardware.

• Structured annual performance review process.

• Potential participation in a performance-linked incentive framework, subject to policy and board approval.

Apply

Please submit your resume and a short cover letter outlining:

• the scale of cropping operations you have managed;

• your experience leading permanent and seasonal staff;

• your machinery, seeding, spraying and harvest background;

• your approach to WHS, planning and operational reporting; and

• your availability to relocate to the Mungedar / Moora / Dandaragan / Badgingarra region.

Confidential enquiries: Robyn O'Neil
Phone: (08) •••• •433
Email: inf•@fmswa.com.au