SPF Operations Manager

Job Description

At Tassal Group, we are dedicated to “Sustainably Feeding Tomorrow.” With over 35 years of aquaculture experience, we focus on providing healthy, sustainable, and nutritious food, including salmon, prawn, and barramundi. We are committed to producing accessible food, supporting communities, and delivering strong economic results, all while prioritising sustainability to ensure a prosperous, healthy planet for future generations. The role: Tassal is seeking a highly motivated and experienced SPF Operations Manager to lead and manage our state-of-the-art Specific Pathogen Free (SPF) facility and Broodstock Multiplication Centre (BMC) as part of our pioneering P. monodon (Black Tiger Prawn) domestication and breeding program. This role is critical to achieving our strategic goals and advancing the future of Australian prawn farming. You will be responsible for ensuring the production of high-quality, SPF-compliant broodstock for commercial hatcheries, while driving innovation, operational excellence, and biosecurity standards. Reporting to the Senior Manager – Prawn Hatcheries, you will lead a team of 10+ professionals, fostering collaboration and continuous improvement in a dynamic and innovative environment. Responsibilities: Provide clear leadership and direction aligned with Tassal’s strategic goals. Train, develop, and inspire your team to achieve operational excellence and foster a culture of collaboration and innovation. Oversee and maintain stringent biosecurity protocols to ensure the SPF status of the facility and broodstock. Manage day-to-day operations, including animal husbandry, water quality monitoring, feed rates, prawn health, and system maintenance. Analyse production and technical data to optimise performance. Manage operational and capital expenditure budgets to meet KPIs. Develop and implement methodologies for producing high-quality Black Tiger Prawn broodstock while maintaining SPF compliance. Identify opportunities for operational improvement and innovation in both short-term and long-term processes. Build and maintain strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders, including commercial hatchery managers and research teams. Ensure a safe, inclusive, and compliant workplace for all team members. Role requirements: Proven experience in aquaculture operations, particularly in hatchery or broodstock management. Strong leadership and team management skills, with the ability to inspire and develop a high-performing team. Knowledge of genetics, animal husbandry, and biosecurity protocols in aquaculture. Ability to analyse and troubleshoot issues related to animal wellbeing, system performance, and operational efficiency. Experience in managing projects, including setting up new facilities or processes. Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with experience working with diverse stakeholders. Strong planning and organisational skills, with the ability to align operational activities with broader business objectives. A degree in Aquaculture, Marine Biology, Genetics, or a related field is preferred. Full-time working rights in Australia. Role offerings: The opportunity to lead a groundbreaking program in Black Tiger Prawn domestication and breeding. A supportive and inclusive workplace culture that values teamwork, innovation, and sustainability within a leading Australian aquaculture company. Flexible working arrangements and a commitment to work-life balance. The chance to contribute to the sustainable future of Australian prawn farming. Company culture: Our people each contribute in different ways, embracing our business values and harnessing our can do – safely culture with purpose and intent. Our shared values are an essential part of our business culture, they define us. They underpin and guide our commitment, attitude, how we work and the quality of our products. We are passionate, we achieve together, we own it and we can do it safely. We encourage early applications as we review on a daily basis. If you have any questions, please email Jeff at #J-18808-Ljbffr