Hop Drying & Machinery Operator

The position also prepares, adjusts and monitors machinery and implements, carries out routine servicing and minor repairs, and maintains production and machinery records. During the hop harvest, the role also has responsibility for operating and monitoring the hop drying system to ensure harvested hops are processed consistently and to required quality standards.

• Minimum 30 hours per week guaranteed.
• Hours will vary according to seasonal operational requirements. During hop harvest, the employee may be required to work rostered, evening, night or extended shifts to support harvesting and the continuous operation of drying and processing equipment.
• Outside the peak harvest period, duties will focus on agricultural and horticultural machinery operation, machinery maintenance and preparation, crop-related operational activities, and improvements associated with the hop growing operation.

Applicants must have the following as per employer’s requirement: 

• At least three years of relevant work experience operating agricultural or horticultural mobile plant; OR,
• Level 4 Qualification
• Applicants must be physically fit.
• Applicants must pass pre-employment drug test.
• Applicants must provide a CV.
• Valid driver’s license

Relevant experience should include the operation of tractors and agricultural or horticultural mobile plant, machinery setup and adjustment, routine servicing, fault identification and minor repairs.  Previous experience  in hop growing, harvesting, drying or processing is advantageous but not essential.

Skills and Attributes:

• Strong practical ability operating tractors and agricultural or horticultural mobile plant.
• Good mechanical knowledge and practical problem-solving ability.
• Ability to select, connect and operate agricultural implements and attachments.
• Ability to monitor machinery performance and make appropriate operational adjustments
• Ability to carry out routine servicing, preventative maintenance and minor repairs.
• Capability to learn and operate specialised hop drying and processing machinery.
• Strong attention to crop, product quality and consistency
• Ability to work independently and make operational decisions within established procedures.
• Ability to work extended or rotating shifts during the hop harvest where required.
• Effective communication with managers and other members of the growing, harvesting and production team.
• Effective communication with managers and other members of the growing, harvesting and production team.
• Strong commitment to workplace health and safety. 

Physical Requirements

The position requires the employee to be physically capable of working in an agricultural and production environment, including working around and operating mobile plant and machinery, standing for extended periods, undertaking manual handling, climbing or accessing equipment where required, and working in warm and dusty conditions associated with hop drying and processing.

Key Duties and Responsibilities: 

Agricultural and Horticultural Mobile Plant Operation

• Prepare, position and operate tractors, self-propelled machinery and tractor-drawn agricultural and horticultural plant used in the hop growing and harvesting operation.
• Operate agricultural machinery to support land and crop preparation, cultivation and harvesting activities.
• Operate harvesting machinery and associated plant during the hop harvest.
• Select, connect and operate appropriate implements and attachments for the task being undertaken.
• Adjust machinery and implement settings, including operating speed, height, depth and other relevant settings, according to crop conditions and operational requirements.
• Monitor machinery performance during operation and make adjustments where required to maintain safe, efficient and effective operation.
• Manoeuvre agricultural machinery safely around crops, structures, other machinery and personnel while avoiding unnecessary crop damage.
• Use mobile plant and machinery to load, unload, transfer and move harvested hops and other materials around the operation.
• Carry out pre-start checks and routine inspections of tractors, mobile plant, implements and attachments.
• Complete required machinery, production and work records.

Machinery Servicing, Maintenance and Troubleshooting

• Monitor the condition and performance of agricultural machinery and identify faults, wear, unusual operation or maintenance requirements.
• Carry out routine servicing and preventative maintenance on tractors, agricultural machinery, implements and associated equipment.
• Perform minor repairs and operational adjustments within the employee's level of competence.
• Troubleshoot machinery issues in the field or operational area and take appropriate action to minimise downtime.
• Report mechanical, hydraulic or electrical faults requiring specialist attention.
• Assist with seasonal preparation, servicing and post-harvest cleaning and storage of agricultural machinery and equipment.
• Maintain machinery and work areas in a clean, safe and serviceable condition.

Hop Drying and Processing

• Operate and monitor hop drying/kiln machinery and associated processing equipment during the hop harvest.
• Set, monitor and adjust temperature, airflow and other drying parameters to achieve appropriate drying conditions.
• Monitor hop condition and moisture levels throughout the drying process.
• Adjust machinery and operating settings where required to maintain consistent drying and product quality.
• Monitor the movement of hops through the drying and processing operation.
• Load, unload and transfer hops through the drying process using appropriate machinery and equipment.
• Identify variations or problems during the drying process and make appropriate operational adjustments.
• Carry out routine quality checks and record relevant drying and production information.
• Ensure dried hops meet required production and quality standards before progressing to the next stage of processing.

Quality, Health and Safety

• Operate all agricultural plant, machinery, implements and processing equipment safely and in accordance with manufacturer and workplace procedures.
• Follow workplace health and safety procedures at all times.
• Participate in hazard identification, risk assessments, Job Element Sheets and safety discussions.
• Use appropriate PPE and follow safe operating procedures.
• Immediately report machinery faults, hazards, incidents or quality concerns.
• Maintain accurate production, quality, maintenance and machinery records

General Operational Duties

• Assist with hop harvesting and associated production activities during peak seasonal periods.
• Assist with the movement of harvested and processed product around the operation.
• Assist with other agricultural and horticultural machinery tasks associated with the hop growing operation as required.
• Identify opportunities to improve machinery operation, workflow, efficiency and reliability.
• Undertake other reasonable duties associated with the operation as directed by the Farm or Operations Manager.

Please provide us with information as to your eligibility to work in New Zealand – if you are on a temporary visa or if you are a New Zealand citizen/resident.