Perishables & Livestock Manager

Role summary

Written by MyIslandJob from the job title and employer. See the employer's page for the full description.

The Perishables & Livestock Manager oversees the safe, compliant and timely movement of temperature-sensitive goods, including fresh produce, food products and live animals. Requirements typically include experience in freight forwarding, perishables logistics, livestock transport, supply-chain operations or a related field; strong knowledge of import/export procedures, biosecurity, customs and temperature-controlled transport is valuable. The candidate is expected to coordinate customers, airlines, carriers, customs agents and internal teams, manage service quality and operational risks, monitor costs and performance, and resolve urgent shipment issues. Strong communication, commercial awareness, attention to detail and the ability to work under time pressure are essential. Knowledge of Australian quarantine and agricultural regulations, along with relevant transport or logistics qualifications, would be advantageous.

About the employer

DHL is a global logistics and supply-chain company operating in more than 220 countries and territories. Its businesses cover international express delivery, freight forwarding, contract logistics, supply-chain management, e-commerce logistics and specialist transport services. DHL Global Forwarding manages air, ocean and road freight, supporting customers with customs clearance, warehousing and industry-specific solutions. In Australia, DHL serves sectors including retail, healthcare, technology, manufacturing, agriculture and food. The company places strong emphasis on service reliability, compliance, sustainability, safety and international connectivity. A Perishables & Livestock Manager would typically work within DHL’s specialized freight operations, helping customers move sensitive products while meeting strict handling, documentation, biosecurity and time requirements. DHL is also known for structured processes, global career opportunities and investment in digital tracking and supply-chain technology.

Working in Australia

Australia is a large island country with strong employment opportunities in logistics, freight forwarding, agriculture, aviation, warehousing and supply-chain management, especially in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth and Adelaide. Workplace culture is generally direct, practical and collaborative, with attention to safety, punctuality and work-life balance. Lifestyle varies from busy cities and diverse dining to beaches, outdoor recreation and regional communities. Living costs are high in major cities, particularly for housing, but salaries and employment conditions are comparatively strong. Foreign applicants usually need a valid work visa; options may include employer sponsorship, skilled visas or temporary programs, depending on occupation, qualifications and experience. Relocation involves securing health insurance where required, arranging accommodation, obtaining a tax file number and understanding superannuation. For perishables and livestock roles, candidates should also be prepared for biosecurity checks and industry-specific compliance requirements.