Advanced Agricultural & Horticultural Mobile Plant Operator

Advanced Agricultural & Horticultural Mobile Plant Operator

Employer: SKU Limited, trading as Poulter Group

Location: Martinborough

Position Type: Full-Time, Permanent

Work Hours: Minimum 30 hours per week, with the expectation to work up to 50–60 hours per week during peak operational periods to meet seasonal demands.

Operational Windows: Shifts fall between 6:00 AM and 6:00 PM, Monday to Sunday, on a variable operational roster dictated by weather conditions and harvest requirements.

Remuneration: $32 – $40 per hour (commensurate with specialised licensing and capability)

Number of Positions available: 10

Key Responsibilities & Duties

Advanced Machinery Operation

Operate heavy machinery, including:

• Excavators (up to 25T)
• Dump trucks and Moxy trucks
• Rollers
• Graders
• UTVs
• Post drivers
• Forklifts
• Trucks and trailers
• Large-scale tractors and specialised machinery
• Operate 300–500 horsepower Fendt and John Deere tractors across large-scale developments
• Operate planting rigs using RTK accuracy systems
• Operate harvest machinery and harvesting equipment

Irrigation and Development Works

• Install and maintain irrigation infrastructure and systems
• Carry out earthworks and land contouring
• Complete ripping, cultivation, drainage, and site preparation works
• Construct roads, access tracks, and development infrastructure
• Carry out aggregate, soil, and material movement
• Support large-scale development projects exceeding 100 hectares
• Operate machinery with a high level of precision and accuracy

Other Duties

• Support seasonal and operational activities as required
• Assist with transport, logistics, and general operational tasks
• Work alongside wider operational teams to ensure projects are completed on time and to the required standards.
• Assist with additional duties and operational requirements as directed by management
• Adapt to changing priorities and operational demands
• Take instructions and complete tasks as instructed to meet the overall objectives of the company.

Skills Development & Continuous Improvement

• Continue building capability across additional machinery and operational tasks
• Learn and adapt to new equipment, systems, and technology
• Maintain high standards of workmanship, productivity, and operational efficiency
• Demonstrate initiative, accountability, and a willingness to support the wider team
• Work independently with limited supervision while maintaining quality and consistency

Health and Safety

• Follow all company health and safety policies, procedures, and site requirements
• Conduct pre-start checks, hazard identification, and machinery inspections
• Operate machinery safely in varied terrain and weather conditions
• Carry out routine maintenance and identify mechanical issues early
• Assist with servicing and minor machinery repairs where required
• Maintain clean, organised, and safe work environments
• Participate in health and safety training and toolbox meetings
• Report all hazards, injuries, illnesses or unsafe behaviour.

Person Specification & Requirements

Qualifications & Licensing

Logistics Credentials: Valid Forklift (F) endorsement or OSH certificate.

Safety: Valid First Aid Certificate.

Relevant machinery competencies, licenses, or endorsements relating to: 

• Tractors
• Excavators
• Dump trucks
• Graders
• UTVs
• Heavy machinery operation

Experience Required 

• Minimum of 2 years of experience within industrial logistics, materials handling, supply chain, transport, or primary sector/agricultural operational environments.
• Proven competence in industrial safety frameworks, heavy vehicle physics, asset care checklists, and coordinated site risk mitigation.
• Prior exposure to or a strong technical capability to learn precision technologies, such as RTK satellite guidance, machine control systems, or complex automated irrigation frameworks, is strongly preferred.
• Ability to work long hours during peak operational and seasonal periods.

Skills & Competencies

• Physically capable: able to work in demanding outdoor environments and undertake physically intensive work when required.
• Flexible and committed: willing to work extended hours, weekends and seasonal demands to support operational requirements.
• Continuous improvement mindset: committed to learning new machinery, systems, and operational processes to build capability and improve performance.
• Consistency and independence: trusted to work independently across large-scale developments while maintaining consistent standards and productivity.
• Teamwork: works effectively with wider operational teams and supports other staff and contractors to ensure projects are completed successfully.
• Problem-solving ability: able to identify issues quickly and implement practical solutions in fast-paced operational environments.
• Maintenance conscious: takes pride in maintaining machinery and equipment through routine checks, preventative maintenance, and early issue identification.
• Multi-skilled and adaptable: capable of operating across multiple machinery types, tasks and operational areas as business needs require.

Personal Attributes

• Takes ownership of outcomes
• Hardworking & Reliable
• Adaptability
• Team Players and problem solvers
• Able to work long hours and weekends and seasonal demands
• Take pride in maintaining equipment and work standards
• Respectful of all workers contractors and stakeholders
• Positive approach to change
• Ability to work independently
• Gets jobs done properly, safely, and on time
• Looks after gear and treats it like their own
• Steps in where needed — not just “their job”
• Keeps improving skills and capability