We currently have opportunities for a Fruit Production Leading Hand and a Fruit Production Supervisor.

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

Position Title:Fruit Production Leading Hand

Number of positions: 1

Employment: Full-time, permanent

Pay rate: $30.00 – $35.00 per hour

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

About the Role

The Fruit Production Leading Hand is a practical, hands-on orchard position.

The successful applicant will work closely with orchard management and will lead and coordinate orchard workers undertaking seasonal and ongoing kiwifruit production activities.

The Leading Hand will work alongside the orchard team while providing day-to-day guidance, allocating work, monitoring quality and helping ensure orchard activities are completed safely, efficiently and to the required standard.

Key Duties and Responsibilities

The Fruit Production Leading Hand will be responsible for:

·       Leading and coordinating orchard workers carrying out kiwifruit production and crop-maintenance activities.

·       Allocating daily work and providing instructions to orchard workers.

·       Working alongside the orchard team undertaking practical orchard activities.

·       Monitoring the quality and progress of work performed by the orchard team.

·       Coordinating seasonal orchard activities including pruning, tying down, bud rubbing, thinning, tipping, canopy management and harvesting.

·       Assisting with implementation of orchard work programmes and seasonal production schedules.

·       Training and guiding new, seasonal and less-experienced workers in correct orchard techniques and work practices.

·       Monitoring vines, fruit and general crop health and identifying signs of pests, diseases, nutrient deficiencies or other crop issues.

·       Reporting crop-health concerns, production issues and other significant matters to the Fruit Production Supervisor, Orchard Manager or management.

·       Assisting with irrigation activities and monitoring irrigation equipment and water requirements where required.

·       Monitoring crop development, fruit quality and orchard conditions.

·       Ensuring orchard work is carried out in accordance with required quality and production standards.

·       Maintaining basic records of work completed, staff activities and relevant orchard production information.

·       Monitoring the availability and condition of orchard tools, equipment, protective equipment and supplies.

·       Safely operating horticultural tools and equipment and assisting with their maintenance.

·       Ensuring workers correctly use tools, machinery and personal protective equipment.

·       Ensuring health and safety procedures, orchard hygiene and biosecurity requirements are followed.

·       Reporting equipment faults, hazards and health and safety concerns to management.

·       Assisting management with identifying labour requirements and planning daily and seasonal workloads.

·       Supporting improvements in orchard practices, productivity, fruit quality and efficiency.

·       Carrying out other reasonable fruit-production duties consistent with the position of Fruit Production Leading Hand.

Minimum Requirements – Leading Hand

Applicants must have either:

At least 2 years of relevant commercial horticulture or orchard experience;

OR

A relevant Level 4 or higher horticulture/agriculture qualification.

Relevant experience should include practical involvement in fruit production or orchard activities such as pruning, thinning, canopy management, crop maintenance, pest and disease monitoring, irrigation or harvesting.

Applicants must also be able to demonstrate:

·       Good practical knowledge of fruit or orchard production.

·       Ability to lead, guide and coordinate orchard workers.

·       Ability to follow orchard production plans and management instructions.

·       Ability to identify and report crop-health, pest and disease issues.

·       Good organisational and time-management skills.

·       Ability to maintain basic work and production records.

·       Good understanding of workplace health and safety.

·       Ability to communicate effectively with management and orchard workers.

·       Ability to work outdoors in varying weather conditions.

·       Ability to undertake physical orchard work when required.

·       Reliability and ability to work independently and as part of a team.

POSITION 2 – FRUIT PRODUCTION SUPERVISOR

Position Title:Fruit Production Supervisor

Number of positions: 2

Employment: Full-time, permanent

Pay rate: $28 – $34 per hour

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

About the Role

The Fruit Production Supervisor will have broader responsibility for supervising orchard workers and coordinating fruit-production activities across the orchard.

The successful applicant will be responsible for supervising the performance of orchard teams, coordinating daily and seasonal production activities, monitoring crop and work quality, maintaining production records and reporting operational matters to the Orchard Manager or management.

This position involves both practical orchard knowledge and responsibility for ensuring workers and orchard activities are organised effectively and meet the required production, quality, health and safety and biosecurity standards.

Key Duties and Responsibilities

The Fruit Production Supervisor will be responsible for:

·       Supervising orchard workers undertaking kiwifruit production and crop-maintenance activities.

·       Planning and coordinating daily work activities for orchard teams in accordance with orchard work programmes.

·       Allocating workers, equipment and resources to different areas of the orchard.

·       Supervising seasonal operations including pruning, tying down, bud rubbing, thinning, tipping, canopy management, irrigation, crop maintenance and harvesting.

·       Monitoring workers' performance, productivity and quality of work.

·       Ensuring orchard work is completed according to required production specifications and quality standards.

·       Providing instructions, training and practical guidance to orchard workers and Leading Hands.

·       Monitoring crop development, fruit condition and orchard performance.

·       Identifying and reporting pest, disease, nutrient, irrigation, crop-health and production issues.

·       Coordinating irrigation activities and monitoring water requirements and irrigation systems where required.

·       Monitoring progress against daily and seasonal orchard work programmes.

·       Reporting work progress, production issues, labour requirements and crop concerns to the Orchard Manager or management.

·       Assisting management with workforce planning and identifying daily and seasonal labour requirements.

·       Monitoring attendance, work allocation and completion of assigned orchard activities.

·       Maintaining appropriate orchard production, work and staff records.

·       Ensuring tools, machinery, equipment and personal protective equipment are available and being used correctly.

·       Identifying and reporting equipment faults, operational problems and maintenance requirements.

·       Ensuring orchard workers comply with workplace health and safety requirements.

·       Ensuring orchard hygiene and biosecurity procedures are followed.

·       Assisting with implementation of orchard quality-assurance and production procedures.

·       Supporting improvements to orchard productivity, fruit quality, work practices and operational efficiency.

·       Liaising with the Orchard Manager or management regarding production priorities and operational requirements.

·       Carrying out other reasonable supervisory duties consistent with the position of Fruit Production Supervisor.

Minimum Requirements – Fruit Production Supervisor

Applicants must have either:

At least 1 yearof relevant commercial fruit-production, horticulture or orchard experience, including experience supervising or coordinating workers;

OR

A relevant Level 4 or higher horticulture/agriculture qualification together with relevant practical orchard experience.

Relevant experience should include practical knowledge of fruit-production activities such as pruning, thinning, canopy management, crop maintenance, irrigation, pest and disease monitoring and harvesting.

Applicants should also be able to demonstrate:

·       Strong practical knowledge of commercial fruit or orchard production.

·       Previous experience supervising, coordinating or directing orchard workers.

·       Ability to allocate work and monitor staff performance and productivity.

·       Ability to understand and implement orchard work programmes and seasonal production schedules.

·       Ability to monitor crop health, fruit development and production quality.

·       Ability to identify and report pests, diseases and other crop-health issues.

·       Ability to maintain production and workforce records.

·       Good organisational and time-management skills.

·       Good understanding of workplace health and safety, orchard hygiene and biosecurity requirements.

·       Ability to communicate effectively with workers, Leading Hands and management.

·       Ability to work outdoors and undertake practical orchard work where required.

·       Reliability and ability to take responsibility for the day-to-day supervision of orchard activities.

WHAT MAHAL FARMS OFFERS

Depending on the position, Mahal Farms offers:

Full-time employment with a minimum of 30 guaranteed hours per week.

The opportunity to work up to approximately 40 hours per week depending on orchard and seasonal requirements.

Competitive hourly rates based on the position and the applicant's relevant skills and experience.

The opportunity to work within an established commercial kiwifruit orchard operation.

HOW TO APPLY

Please submit:

·       Your current CV, including your relevant horticulture and orchard employment history.

·       Details of any relevant horticulture or agriculture qualifications.

·       At least one employment reference from a current or previous employer who can confirm your relevant experience.

·       A brief explanation of how your experience and/or qualifications meet the requirements of the position.

Please clearly state whether you are applying for:

Fruit Production Leading Hand

or

Fruit Production Supervisor

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

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 appropriate New Zealand work visa.