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 started my McLean Farms’ journey in mid-2020 when I got the amazing opportunity to gain knowledge in all aspects of McLean Farms through School-based work experience. In October 2021, I transferred into the Main Farm Administration Office into an administrative support role for the People and Culture department. Whenever I think of McLean Farms culture, I think of the word ‘family’. The Company was started by a family, many families have worked and are working for McLean Farms’ and all sites have their own diverse family teams.
One of the many things I enjoy about my role is getting to experience and gain knowledge about all aspects of the company, and work alongside people who have a passion for Agriculture. I am looking forward to what future endeavours the Company may hold for my career.”
Lauren Ryan, WHS & HR Support
“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 started at McLean Farms in January 2023. From my perspective, my career journey looks very promising. I feel like there are a lot of opportunities for growth, and there are also plenty of opportunities for learning. In my current role, I sense that I have learned a lot since I started, and that’s always important.
People care about you; when something happens, people ask the right questions, and you don’t feel like they do it out of obligation. You feel like they genuinely care about you. I think that’s very important in a company and in the team I am part of. I feel respected by my teammates, and I have a very good manager in my role.”
Roberto Abreu, Water and Environment Technician
“I started at McLean Farms in the Feed Mill back in May 2009, working as a laborer. After two years, I was promoted. It was a long journey, but it did pay off.
The company culture is very good in the sense that everybody needs to walk with their dignity. That’s what I like about the company—no matter your position, department, country, or religion, it’s fully diversified.
The best thing about working with McLean Farms, according to myself, is the leadership. They always listen when you have a problem, and then they also work with you.”
Neel Patel, Manufacturing Engineering Technician Team Leader
“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
“I started working with McLean Farms in 2014, coming on full time in 2017. During my time with McLeans I have been able to continue working while obtaining my PhD, specialist Poultry Vet qualifications and Certificate 4 in teaching. I was also well supported and kept involved while starting a family, this making the transitions back to work easy.’
When describing the company culture, I would say it is positive and healthy. After all these years, I still enjoy coming to work and find the job satisfying.”
Jodi Courtice, Veterinarian
“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
