New Zealand Opportunities jobs

ORCHARD SUPERVISOR

Employer: Kiwi Group Contracting Limited

Location: Bay of Plenty, New Zealand

Position: Orchard Supervisor

Employment Type: Full-time, Permanent

Pay Rate: $30.00 – $40.00 per hour

Hours: Minimum 30 hours and maximum 45 hours per week

About the Role

Kiwi Group Contracting Limited is seeking an experienced and reliable Orchard Supervisor to join our operations in the Bay of Plenty.

This is a hands-on supervisory position responsible for coordinating day-to-day orchard activities, supervising orchard workers, monitoring the quality and progress of work, and helping ensure orchard operations are completed safely, efficiently and according to required standards.

The successful candidate will work closely with management, orchard owners, contractors and field workers to organise labour and resources and ensure that daily and seasonal orchard work is completed within required timeframes.

Key Duties and Responsibilities

The Orchard Supervisor will be responsible for duties including, but not limited to:

* Supervising and coordinating the daily work of orchard workers and field teams.

* Allocating workers to different orchard blocks, rows and work areas according to operational requirements.

* Planning and organising daily orchard activities in consultation with management.

* Providing workers with clear instructions regarding their duties and expected work standards.

* Monitoring workers throughout the day to ensure tasks are being performed correctly, efficiently and safely.

* Supervising seasonal orchard activities including pruning, thinning, training, tying, picking, harvesting and general crop maintenance.

* Coordinating harvesting activities and ensuring fruit is picked and handled carefully to minimise damage and maintain quality.

* Monitoring the quality of completed work and arranging corrective work where required.

* Checking fruit, plants, vines or trees for visible signs of damage, disease, pests or other issues and reporting concerns to management.

* Monitoring crop development and reporting observations regarding fruit condition, maturity and orchard performance.

* Assisting management with planning labour requirements according to crop workload and seasonal demands.

* Organising staff deployment to ensure sufficient workers are available for scheduled orchard activities.

* Monitoring employee attendance, productivity and work performance.

* Maintaining appropriate daily records relating to workers, hours worked, orchard activities and completed tasks.

* Assisting with the induction and training of new orchard workers.

* Demonstrating correct work methods and ensuring staff understand orchard procedures and quality expectations.

* Ensuring workers use orchard tools and equipment correctly and responsibly.

* Checking that tools and equipment required for daily operations are available and in suitable working condition.

* Reporting damaged equipment, machinery or tools to management.

* Assisting with the coordination of tractors, machinery, bins and other equipment required for orchard operations.

* Coordinating the movement and placement of picking bins and other harvesting equipment.

* Monitoring orchard blocks and ensuring work is completed according to the required schedule.

* Liaising with managers, orchard owners, contractors and other relevant personnel regarding work progress and operational requirements.

* Providing regular updates to management regarding productivity, staffing requirements and issues arising on site.

* Helping identify operational delays and implementing practical solutions to keep work progressing.

* Ensuring fruit and other produce are handled, collected and stored appropriately during harvesting operations.

* Monitoring housekeeping and cleanliness within orchard work areas.

* Ensuring workers follow workplace health and safety procedure at all times.

* Conducting or assisting with daily safety briefings and ensuring staff are aware of potential hazards.

* Ensuring appropriate personal protective equipment is worn where required.

* Identifying workplace hazards and promptly reporting or addressing safety concerns.

* Ensuring workers comply with orchard-specific biosecurity and hygiene requirements.

* Supporting compliance with company procedures, client requirements and applicable workplace standards.

* Assisting management with resolving minor staff or operational issues that arise during daily orchard activities.

* Performing other reasonable orchard supervisory and operational duties as required.

About You

The successful applicant should:

* Have practical knowledge of orchard operations and seasonal orchard activities.

* Have previous experience working in orchards, horticulture, agriculture or a related environment.

* Have the ability to supervise and coordinate groups of workers.

* Be capable of giving clear instructions and monitoring employee performance.

* Have good organisational and time-management skills.

* Be able to plan work and respond to changing operational and weather conditions.

* Have a strong understanding of workplace health and safety.

* Have good communication and interpersonal skills.

* Be physically capable of working in an outdoor orchard environment.

* Be reliable, responsible and punctual.

* Be comfortable working during busy seasonal periods.

* Be able to work independently while also working effectively with management and field teams.

* Have a practical and solutions-focused approach to day-to-day orchard operations.

What We Offer

* Pay: $30.00 – $40.00 per hour, depending on skills and experience.

* Guaranteed minimum: 30 hours per week.

* Maximum: 45 hours per week.

* Employment: Full-time and permanent.

* Opportunity to work in an established horticultural contracting environment in the Bay of Plenty.

* A responsible supervisory role with involvement across a range of orchard operations.

Pay: $30.00 – $40.00 per hour

Expected hours: 30.0 – 45.0 per week

Work Location: In person