Costa Graduate Program - Berry International Horticultural Graduate

We’re Costa. Australia’s leading grower, packer and marketer of premium quality fresh fruit and vegetables. From our farms to your door, we nurture our fruit and vegetables every step of the journey. We have operations in more than 60 rural and regional communities across Australia and in China and Morocco. Our produce includes avocados, bananas, berries, citrus, grapes, mushrooms and tomatoes.

We're seeking enthusiastic graduates from a range of disciplines to join Costa as part of our 2025 Graduate intake! 

About Costa’s Graduate Programs and Roles

All graduates joining the ’25 intake automatically enrol in a development program, which aims to train and develop leaders of the future. As a cohort, you will be provided with hands-on and educational experience across the Costa Group. The program also offers unprecedented access to senior leaders to mentor and guide your course work.  

The three options for graduate roles are as follows: 

·       Rotational Graduate Program Positions: 18-month duration, comprised of 3 x 6-month rotations in 3 different produce categories at different locations.

·       Category Graduate Program Positions: 12-18 month duration, comprised of different experiences and/or rotations within one function or produce category.

·       Specialised Graduate Positions: these are ongoing graduate positions in some of the key talent growing hubs in our organisation.

We welcome applications for multiple of the positions available. You can indicate these preferences in your application.

About this position

The Berry International Horticultural Graduate is a Category Graduate Program position over the course of 18 months. Upon successful completion of the Program, the successful candidate is likely to be well positioned to take on a deployment in-country for our Berries International Category (currently Berry International Operations are located in China and Morocco).   

As a graduate as part of the Berry International Horticultural Graduate program, you will be closely working with the Horticultural Manager/s to support the monitoring of crop operations. This could include fertigation and nutrition management, irrigation agronomy and management, substrate management, canopy management and plant health (Pest & Disease), including Integrated Pest Management. You are also likely to support our grower base in the integration of preharvest and postharvest activities to ensure that yield and quality are optimised.

As a Berry International Horticultural Graduate, you will be assisting in evaluation of existing Berry International programs, plus assist to develop and initiate activities to capture and improve crop performance and continuous improvement. Part of the program is the opportunity to undertake research and development activities.

A large component of this program role is the provision of horticultural support at a National/International level, including support with the development of farms in international locations. This may include assisting in project/site evaluation appraisal in new countries and territories. As such, this role will require travel and possibly longer periods of time working outside of Australia.

Your Opportunity

• Benefit from a structured leadership and development training program
• Gain access to managers and Costa executives
• Play a central role in producing premium quality fruit and vegetables
• Exposure to networks across the industry

We care for our people

Successful applicants will receive a fixed-term 18-month contract with a competitive salary.

If applicable, subsidised accommodation will be arranged by the company prior to commencement. During and upon the completion of the Graduate Program you will be eligible to apply for permanent roles which may arise within Costa.

People are the heart of Costa. Our employees enjoy some of the best benefits and conditions in the industry. From competitive pay to health, well-being, and further learning and development opportunities. No matter the role, you’ll always benefit from a caring environment that encourages and supports you to thrive, grow and connect.

About you

To qualify for the Berry International Horticultural Graduate positions, you must:

• Be in your final year or recently finished a Bachelor’s or postgraduate degree. Of particular interest for Costa are degrees in: 
• Agricultural Science
• Horticulture
• Agribusiness
• Business, with an interest in agriculture
• Science, with an interest in agriculture
• Hold a driver’s licence
• Have your own personal reliable transport 
• Be ready and willing to relocate and work in different locations during the program, including Coffs Harbour and across Costa’s International Operations (regional International locations).
• Be ready, willing, and available to commence the Graduate Program on 10 February 2025.

Whilst not a requirement, Costa very much welcomes the application of candidates with an ability to, or interest in speaking other languages, such as e.g. Standard Chinese, Mandarin, Arabic, French.

Program Timing and Process

Applications for the 2025 Graduate Intake close on 15 August 2024. The selection process will consist of video submissions, psychometric assessments and (virtual) interviews. 

More information about the Costa Graduate Programs and Positions is available here: https://costagroup.com.au/grow-your-career/graduateprogram/