At McLean Farms, you can have it all
Our location is rural, but our facilities are world-leading,
meaning employees really can have the best of both worlds.
“I joined McLean Farms in 2015, fresh out of high school as an egg packer. Since joining McLeans I have worked as a shed hand, leading hand and now in poultry administration support. The knowledge I have acquired from working on multiple farms and departments is very valuable and helps me in my role as a support service.
I would describe the company culture as being passionate. It is evident the managers are passionate towards the poultry industry as a whole and the success of McLean Farms regarding its sustainability and longevity. I feel this passion is filtered down throughout the whole team with opportunities to learn and grow.
Like any primary producing business, there will always be challenges and obstacles to overcome, so it is exciting being part of a nationally recognised company that is constantly evolving and adapting.”
Belinda Weber- Poultry Administration Support
“I joined McLean Farms myself in 2000, however I grew up on one of the McLean poultry farms with my parent’s work, this is where my interest in the poultry industry started.
Once I was old enough, I started working on weekends and after school collecting eggs and other tasks. After leaving school I started working full-time on a rearing farm feeding and taking care of the birds.
As the company was growing at the time it gave me an opportunity to move into different roles within the company and learn all sides of the business. I then moved into managing a Free Range for a number of years which helped me get a better understanding of the birds and their behaviours.
I now manage the poultry division with a great team around me and I like to share my journey with the younger group to show that there are great opportunities and a career with McLean Farms.
I feel that the best thing about working for McLean Farms is that you are encouraged and given the opportunity to learn and grow as an individual.”
Nathan Rattray, Poultry Manager
“I joined McLean Farms in August 2015 at the age of 17 in a school-based apprenticeship as a Boilermaker. I completed my trade at age 21 and moved into a workshop Boilermaker tradesman role, as part of my trade I got the opportunity to learn a large variety of different tasks including food grade purge weld, which was something I ended up specialising in. In 2022 I moved into my current role as Fabrication Workshop Supervisor.
I would describe the McLean Farms culture as big on making all necessary changes to benefit the company and employees. Safety is largely driven throughout the company to ensure all staff go home safely at the end of each day.
The thing I love about working with McLean Farms is the variety of work and the social interactions with so many different people, it makes the workplace enjoyable and keeps the job interesting.”
Sam Overlack, Boilermaker/Workshop Supervisor
“I joined McLean Farms in August 2020 where I have worked in both the piggery and now in the Poultry team at Byculla.
During my time with McLeans I have had exposure to so many different areas and have had the opportunity to learn different skills, not only in the sheds but also the administrative work that goes into running the sheds.
In October 2023 I successfully completed my certificate 3 in Poultry with the support of McLeans and my manager, which opens up many more career opportunities for me.
The best thing about working with McLean Farms is working with a supportive team and manager.”
Thaw Joe, Poultry Shed Hand
“I joined McLean Farms in November 2015 in an administrative role at the Packing Floor and moved to Quality Control shortly after. My role in Quality Control was to lead the team to maintain quality and food safety of our eggs on a daily basis. After being at the Packing Floor for close to five years, I moved into my current position as Quality Assurance Officer for Poultry and Organic Nutrients.
The best thing about working with McLean Farms is the teamwork between departments, and the willingness to assist each other in working towards a common goal of producing quality eggs, with the highest of welfare standards for our chicks and hens.”
Kaylene Simmons, Quality Assurance Officer Poultry & Organic Nutrients
“My journey with McLean Farms started as an opportunity to join the family business in 2011. With an extensive background in retail management, I was looking for a new direction, challenge and ability to learn and grow in an industry with animals and food production. I started in Quality Assurance and developed an appreciation for food safety and quality process control to systematically produce safe food that is of the highest quality that our customers and consumers expect.
Quality Assurance is an engaging and diverse department, understanding and knowing specific legalisation, animal welfare, food safety principles, vast array of industry and customer standards, and global food safety initiatives. Maintaining this daily, reviewing and improving of policies and procedures, auditing all sites and verification of the processes. Managing a small team of dedicated team members with a strong attention to detail helps make maintaining a high level of consistency a totally achievable task.
I would describe the McLean Farms culture as a place with diverse backgrounds that people share their experiences, laugh and all learn new and different things. We all come together through shared experiences working towards a common goal. We have a strong and instilled detail to do the right thing with respect to Biosecurity, Quality and Food Safety, and which can also be seen in the level of care and nurturing that we have for animal care and welfare.”
Daniel Cantarella, Quality and Compliance Manager
