Chief Executive Officer/Managing Director in Kempsey

Green Leaf Australia Group Pty Ltd, trading as Green Leaf Farm, is an Australian company established in New South Wales in December 2012, with its vegetable farm founded on the Pacific Highway at Clybucca, near Kempsey on the Mid North Coast of New South Wales. The site was selected following a nation-wide, two-year study that identified the Mid North Coast for its favourable climate, soil, water resources and its strategic position on the highway between the Sydney and Brisbane markets. Green Leaf Farm uses modern protected-cropping methods across 500 greenhouses to grow a range of fresh vegetables, including Lebanese cucumbers, cherry tomatoes, ginger and spiral chillies. Product is graded, packed and dispatched daily to wholesale merchants at the Sydney Markets, from where it reaches greengrocers, food service operators and retail chains along the eastern seaboard. The Group's development plan provides for staged expansion of the site to up to 1,800 greenhouses, and the business plays a significant role in local employment and investment in regional New South Wales.

Reporting to the Board Committee Members, the Chief Executive Officer / Managing Director will determine, formulate and review the general policies, programs and overall strategic direction of Green Leaf Australia Group Pty Ltd, within the framework established by the Board. The CEO/Managing Director will provide overall leadership and direction across the business, overseeing the Operation Manager, Scientific Specialists, Sales & Marketing, and Office Manager functions shown in the organisational structure. The role carries full accountability for the farm's growing operations, product quality and supply programs, commercial and market relationships, financial performance, and corporate governance, and is responsible for guiding the business through its ongoing expansion from 500 towards 1,800 greenhouses.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Strategic Direction and Governance: Determine, formulate and review the objectives, strategies, policies and programs of the business, within the framework established by the Board Committee Members. Provide overall direction and management across all functional areas of the organisation, including operations, scientific/technical, sales & marketing, and office/finance. Ensure the organisation complies with the Corporations Act 2001, relevant agricultural, food safety and workplace legislation, and other applicable regulatory requirements. Prepare, or arrange for the preparation of, reports, budgets and forecasts, and present these to the Board Committee Members. Represent the business at official occasions, in negotiations, and at industry forums, seminars and conventions relevant to horticulture and fresh produce.
• Operational and Production Oversight: Provide leadership to the Operation Manager over irrigation, horticulture, nursery, mechanical and cold storage functions supporting the farm's protected-cropping operations. Work with the Scientific Specialists team (including agronomy, entomology, horticultural research and development, and biosecurity) to maintain crop quality, yield and food safety standards. Oversee the planned staged expansion of greenhouse capacity, authorising material, human and financial resources required to implement expansion and production plans. Monitor and evaluate operational and production performance against the organisation's objectives and strategies.
• Commercial, Sales and Market Relationships: Provide direction to the Sales & Marketing function across Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and online sales channels. Maintain and develop key wholesale market relationships, including with merchants at the Sydney Markets, to support consistent movement of product to greengrocers, food service and retail customers. Oversee planning of seasonal volumes, packaging, labelling and market programs in conjunction with wholesale and market partners. Identify opportunities to grow and diversify the business's vegetable lines and market reach.
• Financial Management and Corporate Governance: Oversee the financial performance of the business, working with the Office Manager, Assistant Accountant and Bookkeeper to ensure sound financial management, budgeting and reporting. Apply sound financial and accounting principles in reviewing business performance, capital expenditure and investment in greenhouse expansion. Maintain appropriate corporate governance standards, policies and internal controls across the organisation. Monitor cash flow, profitability and return on investment, and report on financial performance to the Board Committee Members.
• People Leadership: Select, or approve the selection of, senior staff including Operation Manager, Scientific Specialists, Sales & Marketing and Office Manager positions. Consult with senior subordinate staff, reviewing recommendations and reports across all areas of the business. Foster a positive workplace culture that supports safety, quality and continuous improvement across the farm and office teams.

MANDATORY REQUIREMENTS:

• A Bachelor degree in Management, Business or a related discipline, or a Master's degree in Management, Business Administration or a related field.
• A close working knowledge of finance and accounting principles and corporate governance requirements is essential.
• At least 3 years of relevant senior management or executive experience; candidates with 5-7 years of relevant experience will be preferred where qualifications held are not directly related to management or business.
• Prior experience running or managing a similar style of business (protected-cropping horticulture, fresh produce or a comparable agribusiness) will be highly preferred.
• Demonstrated ability to determine and implement organisational strategy, policy and direction.
• Sound understanding of relevant legislation, including company and workplace law, and a commitment to compliance and good governance.

KEY COMPETENCIES:

• Strong strategic thinking and leadership capability, with the ability to set and drive organisational direction.
• Sound financial and commercial acumen, including budgeting, forecasting and investment decision-making.
• Strong understanding of corporate governance and regulatory compliance obligations.
• Excellent stakeholder engagement, negotiation and representation skills.
• Ability to lead and coordinate multi-disciplinary teams across operations, science, sales and administration.
• High level of integrity, sound judgement and decision-making ability.
• Resilience and adaptability suited to leading a growing regional agribusiness through an active expansion phase.