Sky Horticulture Limited is seeking an experienced Field Manager to lead the practical delivery of Horticulture Operations across assigned blocks in Bay of Plenty area.

This is a hands-on leadership role for someone who can turn seasonal crop plans into safe, efficient field execution. You will coordinate people, machinery, crop inputs; protect crop health and quality; and deliver strong production outcomes from winter pruning through to harvest and packhouse intake. 

The successful candidate will combine strong people leadership with sound technical horticulture knowledge, disciplined record-keeping and a continuous focus on productivity, quality, compliance and cost control.

Key Duties and Responsibilities

Crop and Production Management

·      Plan, organise and oversee day-to-day operations across assigned orchard blocks, including pruning, thinning, planting, harvesting, irrigation and canopy management

·      Direct technical winter pruning, canopy thinning and vine training to maximise sunlight interception, canopy balance and fruit development

·      Manage early-season flower and fruit thinning to support premium export sizing, yield targets and high dry-matter outcomes

·      Coordinate the timing and placement of beehives and, where required, alternative or mechanical pollination systems to optimise fruit set

·      Oversee new rootstock planting, grafting, replacement planting and the installation or renewal of modern trellising systems

·      Conduct regular field inspections and ensure timely identification, escalation and treatment of pests and diseases, including Psa-V, codling moth and scale where relevant

·      Review soil, leaf and sap test results and adjust automated irrigation and fertigation programmes in consultation with relevant specialists

·      Set block picking schedules using technical maturity measures such as brix, fruit pressure, colour and other crop-specific clearance criteria

·      Provide accurate, data-driven pre-harvest crop volume forecasts and performance updates to senior management

·      Forecast seasonal workforce needs, allocate staff and contractors efficiently, and maintain effective working relationships with RSE crew leaders

·      Supervise and support supervisors, leading hands and field staff; set daily expectations and provide practical coaching, training and feedback

·      Coordinate labour, machinery, equipment and materials so field programmes are completed safely, on time and to specification

·      Enforce clear picking and handling standards to minimise skin damage, punctures, bruising and other defects that may reduce packout or export value

·      Manage field-bin distribution and collection and coordinate prompt transport of harvested fruit to the post-harvest packhouse

·      Communicate professionally with orchard owners, packhouses, contractors, consultants, suppliers and other external stakeholders regarding operational requirements

·      Monitor productivity, crop quality and operational outcomes and identify practical opportunities to improve efficiency, consistency and growing results

·      Execute and monitor agrichemical spray programmes strictly within applicable label requirements, withholding periods and global maximum residue limits (MRLs)

·      Ensure field practices meet applicable food-safety, traceability, environmental and ethical-audit requirements for target export markets

·      Maintain accurate legal spray diaries, chemical inventory records, labour and production records, operational reports and tractor or machinery maintenance logs

·      Lead workplace safety protocols, machinery and equipment training, hazard management, incident investigation and risk reporting across assigned blocks

·      Monitor fertilisers, agrichemicals, equipment and materials and coordinate preventative maintenance so machinery remains safe, reliable and efficiently used

·      Support annual and seasonal budgets, monitor field expenditure against plan, explain variances and provide timely operational reports to management

Minimum Requirements

Applicants must meet at least one of the following:

·       At least 2 years of relevant field or horticultural management experience; or

·       A New Zealand Level 7 qualification or higher.

The successful candidate will also demonstrate:

·       Strong people-leadership capability and experience planning seasonal labour and daily field activity.

·       Practical knowledge of crop husbandry, harvest maturity, irrigation or fertigation, and pest and disease management.

·       A disciplined approach to agrichemical compliance, health and safety, traceability and maintaining auditable records.

·       The ability to manage budgets, forecast yields, analyse operational performance and communicate clearly with management and external stakeholders.

To Apply

Please submit your updated CV outlining your relevant field or orchard management experience, technical capability and leadership approach.

Email: skyhort11@gmail.com