The Company
Honestly Riverina Limited (HRL) is a newly established grower-owned, unlisted public food business established to reintroduce competition, value-added processing, and innovation into Australia’s rice sector. Formed by Riverina growers seeking improved domestic market access and returns, HRL’s mission is to be the premier Australian value-added food company, embedded in regional communities and leveraging high-quality Riverina-grown commodities.
Building Australia’s first new rice mill in decades and now the second-largest Australian-grown rice producer with strong national distribution of Nice Rice and Australian Rice Milling Co, HRL is well positioned for considerable growth with their vision of becoming the leading sustainable rice producer in the country.
The Opportunity
This is a rare and unique opportunity to help lead and grow this newly created success story in the Riverina, Southwestern NSW. As CEO you will report to the Board, and be responsible for overall strategic leadership, commercial and operational performance, governance and safety, stakeholder alignment and brand development. You will be the primary driver of profitable growth, capacity uplift and importantly, cultural alignment.
You will oversee:
- The growth of HRL into a stronger player in the Australia Rice Industry, which has been dominated by one single desk for nearly a century
- Progress the company from early phase to a level of stable positive profitability and build sustained profitability through new domestic distribution channels across grocery, wholesale and foodservice markets
- Scale crop intake, production and operational performance at a new state of the art rice milling asset
- Build a capable and skilled workforce and continue to strengthen governance, stakeholder confidence and long-term shareholder and grower value
- Day-to-day operations and business while working closely with the board to drive strategy and long-term business plans
About You
Preferred candidates will demonstrate established connections with Australian agriculture, a commitment to supporting local communities, and a proven ability to engage effectively with producers combined with an intimate knowledge of food manufacturing and FMCG businesses. You enjoy being hands-on while also being able to drive a complex business and will have both strategic and operational experience, with a track record of working with a broad range of stakeholders and channel partners to maximise growth opportunities.
If you possess the following background, experience, and attributes we are keen to hear from you:
- At least 5 years’ experience at CEO/Group GM level in an agricultural commodity, grain trading or rural facing business environment
- Experience in leading a rapidly growing and complex business while ensuring financial, safety and governance parameters are met and maintained
- Exceptional people leader, able to develop high-performance team culture of accountability, collaboration, and innovation
- An intimate understanding of high-volume food manufacturing and ideally demonstrated experience in developing export markets and working with FMCG Customer channels
- Strong executer with the ability to negotiate commercial agreements in a timely manner
- Highly developed leadership skills across leading teams, corporate development and strategy including ability to create and shape team culture
- Tertiary qualification in Business, Commerce or Supply Chain/Logistics, ideally with post graduate qualifications
- Grounded personality, high levels of integrity and somebody who is highly visible in the business
- Exceptional engagement and communication skills to manage a diverse stakeholder group including producers, retailers, and partners
HRL are in a unique position as they reintroduce competition to the rice sector and offer an alternative to producers and retailers. This initiative has been highly successful and well received to date but now the business seeks a new CEO to leverage this exceptional market position to take advantage of and grow the opportunity.
If you are a commercially minded leader with a deep passion for agriculture and local community, we are keen to hear from you. For a confidential discussion or to learn more, contact Mick Hay or David Jackson
on 1300 380 701
. Applications via www.rimfireresources.com.au
