Fruit Production Supervisor & Maintenance Canopy Establishment Worker

We currently have opportunities for a Fruit Production Supervisor and a Maintenance Canopy Establishment Worker.

These are seperate position with different levels of responsibility. Applicants should clearly state which position they are applying  for .

Position Title:Fruit Production Supervisor

Number Of Positions:2

Employment: Full-time , Permanent 

Hours: Minimum 30 guaranteed hours per week, with up to 40 hours per week depending on operational requirements.

About the Role

We are seeking two capable and reliable Fruit Production Supervisors to oversee daily orchard operations, coordinate work teams, and ensure that orchard activities are carried out efficiently, safely and to the standards required by growers.

This is a hands-on supervisory role in a physically demanding outdoor industry. Applicants must be prepared to work in hot weather, changing seasonal conditions, and busy production periods.

Key Duties and Responsibilities

The successful applicants will be responsible for:

1.       Planning and supervising daily kiwifruit orchard production and maintenance activities in accordance with work schedules and growers' requirements.

2.       Allocating duties to orchard workers and coordinating teams to ensure that daily work targets are achieved.

3.       Monitoring the quality, efficiency and progress of orchard activities, including vine maintenance, pruning, thinning, canopy management, and harvest preparation.

4.       Inspecting completed work to ensure it meets required horticultural standards and identifying work that requires correction.

5.       Providing practical instruction, guidance and on-the-job training to orchard workers regarding work methods, productivity and safe operating procedures.

6.       Monitoring worker attendance, work allocation and performance, and reporting staffing requirements or operational concerns to management.

7.       Identifying signs of plant health problems, pests, diseases or biosecurity concerns and reporting these to the appropriate manager or grower.

8.       Maintaining accurate daily records of work completed staff allocation, work hours, and production progress.

9.       Liaising with growers, site management and company management regarding work priorities, crop conditions and expected completion dates.

10.  Monitoring the safe use of orchard tools and equipment and ensuring workers follow health and safety procedures.

11.  Adjusting daily work plans in response to weather, staffing availability, grower instructions, and seasonal production requirements.

12.  Reporting orchard progress, quality issues, staffing needs and operational requirements directly to company management.

The main responsibility of this position is the effective supervision and coordination of orchard production activities. Practical assistance may be required where appropriate, but the primary duties are supervisory.

Minimum Requirements

Applicants must have either:

·       A qualification at NZQCF Level 4 or higher (or recognised equivalent); or

·       At least two years of relevant practical experience.

Applicants must also demonstrate:

·       Knowledge of orchard production processes and work quality standards.

·       Ability to allocate work, monitor productivity, and provide instructions to staff.

·       Good communication, organizational and problem-solving skills.

·       Ability to keep accurate daily work and staffing records.

·       Awareness of workplace health and safety requirements.

Physical Requirements and Personal Qualities

This is a demanding outdoor position. Applicants must:

·       Be capable of safely performing the physical duties required, with reasonable accommodation where appropriate.

·       Be prepared to work outdoors during hot summer days and in changing weather conditions.

·       Be comfortable standing, walking and moving throughout orchard sites for extended periods.

·       Remain organized and productive during busy periods.

·       Be reliable, punctual, honest, and committed to consistent attendance.

·       Demonstrate a positive attitude, good teamwork, and respect for fellow workers.

·       Follow safe working practices, including hydration and heat-management procedures.

·       Be available to travel between orchard sites throughout the Bay of Plenty region.

POSITION2-Maintenance Canopy Establishment Worker

Position Title:Maintenance Canopy Establishment Worker

Number Of Positions:2

Employment: Full-time , Permnent 

Hours: Minimum 30 guaranteed hours per week, with up to 40 hours per week depending on operational requirements.

About the Role

We are seeking two reliable and practical Canopy Maintenance Workers to undertake the installation, inspection, repair and maintenance of physical orchard canopy support structures.

The positions primarily involve the structural systems used to support kiwifruit vines, including posts, trellis frameworks, support wires, fittings and related components.

This is physically demanding outdoor maintenance work. Applicants must be prepared to work in hot weather, changing seasonal conditions and busy operational periods while maintaining high safety standards.

Key Duties and Responsibilities

The successful applicants will be responsible for:

1. Inspecting orchard canopy support structures, including posts, trellis systems, wires and associated fittings, to identify damage, wear or structural defects.
2. Erecting, assembling, repairing and maintaining physical orchard canopy infrastructure according to site requirements and instructions.
3. Measuring, positioning, aligning and securing structural posts, support wires and other canopy components.
4. Installing, adjusting and tensioning orchard support wires to maintain the stability and correct positioning of trellis systems.
5. Removing and replacing damaged, deteriorated or unsafe structural components.
6. Carrying out repairs to orchard trellis frameworks, wire connections, fixings and support assemblies.
7. Using appropriate hand tools, power tools, measuring equipment and maintenance equipment safely and correctly.
8. Checking completed structural maintenance work to ensure components are secure, correctly installed and suitable for continued use.
9. Identifying potential hazards associated with damaged structures, working at heights, unstable posts and loose wires.
10. Using ladders, access equipment and appropriate personal protective equipment where required, in accordance with safe working procedures.
11. Coordinating with site supervisors and maintenance teams to complete infrastructure repairs within required work schedules.
12. Maintaining records of structural inspections, repairs undertaken, materials used and outstanding maintenance requirements.
13. Reporting defects, equipment faults, safety concerns and additional repair requirements to management.
14. Maintaining tools, equipment and work areas in a safe and orderly condition.

The primary responsibility of this position is physical orchard canopy infrastructure maintenance and repair, rather than cultivation, pruning, thinning or harvesting of crops.

Minimum Requirements

Applicants must have either:

• A qualification at NZQCF Level 4 or higher (or recognised equivalent); or
• At least two years of relevant practical experience
• Applicants must also demonstrate:

• Practical ability to use appropriate maintenance tools and equipment safely.
• Ability to follow measurements, instructions and repair procedures.
• Understanding of basic structural safety and safe manual handling.
• Ability to identify damage and perform practical repair tasks.
• Willingness to follow site-specific health and safety requirements.

Previous experience with orchard support structures would be advantageous.

Physical Requirements and Personal Qualities

This position involves demanding outdoor work. Applicants must:

• Be capable of safely performing manual maintenance duties, with reasonable accommodation where appropriate.
• Be prepared to work outdoors during hot summer days and in changing weather conditions.
• Be capable of safely handling tools, materials and structural components.
• Be comfortable working at heights where required and following appropriate fall-prevention procedures.
• Be reliable, punctual and committed to attending rostered shifts.
• Be prepared for busy maintenance periods and changing work priorities.
• Demonstrate honesty, responsibility, teamwork and a strong work ethic.
• Follow instructions and workplace safety procedures.

Be available to travel between orchard sites throughout the Bay of Plenty region.

How to Apply

Please submit your current CV and a brief cover letter outlining your relevant technical skills, qualifications, practical experience and suitability for the position.

Applicants who wish to be considered for both positions should state this clearly in their appllication.

Shortlisted applicants may be contacted for an interview and reference checks.

Applicants must have the legal right to work in New Zealand or be eligible to obtain an apporoprriate New Zealand work visa.