Production & Export Manager at Abagold Limited (2025-12 – Present)
Lead and manage all production processes and export operations for live and processed abalone products, ensuring efficiency, quality compliance, and on-time delivery to domestic and international markets. Directly lead: 70 employees, including 4 supervisors
- Align production schedules with customer delivery requirements and international export timelines.
- Co-plan, lead, organise, and control all production activities from intake through to final product transfer in alignment with production plans and customer requirements.
- Maintain optimal productivity levels by monitoring performance, troubleshooting deviations, and applying quality control tools in collaboration with the Production Planning & Improvement Manager.
- Implement and enforce ISO and HACCP standards, monitoring compliance and driving corrective actions where required.
- Optimise throughput and reduce production bottlenecks through structured continuous improvement initiatives.
- Maintain accurate production control records and analyse performance reports to identify improvement opportunities.
- Manage end-to-end export processes, ensuring customs compliance, accurate documentation, and cold chain integrity for live and processed products.
- Coordinate closely with freight forwarders, logistics providers, and regulatory authorities to ensure seamless export operations.
- Implement and enforce occupational health and safety regulations, maintaining a safe working environment.
- Oversee equipment condition monitoring, maintenance planning, and servicing schedules to support uninterrupted operations.
Harvesting & Live Export Manager at Abagold Limited (2019-12 – 2025-12)
Managed end-to-end abalone harvesting, live sorting, packing, and export operations in line with production plans, customer specifications, and international quality standards.
- Develop and execute weekly and monthly harvest plans aligned to sales forecasts and export schedules.
- Lead end-to-end abalone harvesting, live sorting, packing, and export operations in line with production plans, customer specifications, and international quality standards.
- Supervise and lead cross-functional teams across harvesting, live holding, and packaging, ensuring strict adherence to hygiene, food safety, and occupational health standards.
- Manage live holding facilities (LSH1 and LFH1), ensuring optimal product conditions for pre-export storage and minimizing mortality or loss.
- Coordinate intake and dispatch with third-party logistics providers, ensuring accurate documentation and seamless cold-chain continuity.
- Oversee quality control and food safety measures aligned with HACCP and FSMS requirements, including real-time monitoring and reporting of critical control points.
- Chair weekly harvest planning meetings, delivering performance insights and data-driven recommendations to senior management.
- Promote and enforce workplace safety, hygiene protocols, and regulatory compliance throughout all phases of production and export.
- Collaborated with farm management and production planning teams to forecast stock availability, align harvest schedules, and reduce operational bottlenecks.
- Drive continuous improvement initiatives to reduce post-harvest losses, improve live sorting accuracy, and enhance export product quality.
- Promote safety culture, regulatory compliance, and staff development across all operational areas.
Grow-Out Farm Section Manager at Abagold Limited (2019-07 – 2019-11)
- Implemented production plans aligned with business targets, optimising resource utilisation and yield.
- Supervised farm technicians and support staff, ensuring compliance with SOPs and production schedules
- Managed daily grow-out farm operations, overseeing stock health, movement, and production performance.
- Improved feed conversion ratios and reduced mortality through environmental control, husbandry best practices, and biosecurity management.
- Monitored water quality, feeding regimes, and animal health to minimise disease risk.
- Analysed production data and prepared performance reports for management decision-making.
- Conducted infrastructure and tank inspections, identifying maintenance needs to ensure uninterrupted operations.
Farm Production Supervisor at Abagold Limited (2018-03 – 2019-05)
Led and motivated farm teams to achieve daily and long-term production targets while maintaining high standards of animal welfare and farm hygiene.
- Led and motivated farm teams to achieve daily and long-term production targets.
- Executed production plans while maintaining high standards of animal welfare and farm hygiene.
- Supervised grow-out production activities, ensuring optimal growth, survival rates, and stock movement.
- Supported continuous improvement through data analysis, reporting, and cross-department collaboration.
Farm Operations Intern (WIL Programme) at Abagold Limited (2017-02 – 2018-02)
- Assisted with stock grading, tank maintenance, and routine health checks.
- Supported production scheduling, data collection, and performance reporting.
- Completed a structured 12-month internship covering all aspects of abalone aquaculture operations.
- Engaged in cross-functional exposure across harvesting, processing, and quality assurance departments.
- Gained hands-on experience in juvenile rearing, feeding protocols, water quality monitoring, and biosecurity.
