Production Coordinator
Goodness Grown is a high-tech controlled environment agriculture business producing premium tomatoes in a 20-hectare glasshouse and packhouse facility at Tongala, in northern Victoria. The site brings together climate control, automation, grading and packing lines, and a full despatch operation, and operates under Freshcare, HARPS and Fair Farms certification.
The Opportunity
Reporting to the Production Manager, the Production Coordinator runs the operational heartbeat of the site: the daily flow of product from picking through grading and packing into the despatch-ready zone. Working through the Picking Supervisor and Packhouse Supervisor, the role turns the production schedule into clear daily direction, keeps picking and packing on target in real time, and holds inventory control over all packing consumables. Standard hours align with the production roster, with extended hours and weekend work expected during peak harvest periods.
What You’ll Do
- Translate the production schedule into daily operational direction for the Picking Supervisor and Packhouse Supervisor
- Monitor real-time progress against picking and packing targets, adjusting resourcing, line speed and pack format priorities to keep the schedule on track
- Coordinate the flow of product from picking through grading and packing, and hand over finished pallets to the Despatch Coordinator on time
- Chair the daily production stand-up across picking, packing and despatch, and deliver end-of-day production reporting to the Production Manager
- Verify grading, sizing, weight and labelling checks are performed and recorded, and drive immediate corrective action on quality non-conformances
- Maintain cold chain integrity from point of pick through packing to despatch
- Control packing consumable inventory (cartons, punnets, lidding film, labels, liners, pallets): minimum stock levels, reorder points, purchase requests, stock counts and FIFO rotation
- Coordinate daily equipment readiness with the Maintenance Manager, and log and escalate faults and downtime through to resolution
- Support Freshcare, HARPS and Fair Farms audit readiness, including records and walking auditors through picking and packing operations
- Coordinate inductions, toolbox talks and cross-training to build a multi-skilled picking and packing workforce
What You’ll Bring
Required
- Minimum 3 years’ experience in a fresh-produce packhouse or comparable food-production environment, including coordinating across teams or shifts
- Demonstrated working knowledge of Freshcare and HARPS certification requirements
- Working knowledge of the Horticulture Award 2020 and Victorian OHS legislation as they apply to a packhouse environment
- Demonstrated ability to coordinate operational activity across multiple teams in a high-pressure, seasonal environment
- Strong attention to detail across grading, labelling and inventory control
- Proficiency in Microsoft 365 and comfort using inventory and production-tracking systems
- Current Australian driver’s licence
Highly Regarded
- Previous experience in tomato production or other soft-produce categories
- Current forklift licence (LF or LO)
- Formal qualification in food safety (e.g. HACCP), production management or a related discipline
What’s on Offer
- Salary range $65,000–$75,000 per year plus superannuation
- Permanent, full-time role at the centre of a modern controlled environment operation
- A genuine coordination remit: picking, packing, despatch, quality, inventory and reporting in one role
- Structured, certified operating environment (Freshcare, HARPS, Fair Farms) with clear daily targets
How to Apply
Apply now via Seek with a current resume and a short cover letter outlining your packhouse or food-production coordination experience. Applications will be assessed as they are received. Applicants must hold current work rights in Australia.
