2026-27 - Team Leader - Packhouse

Koala Cherries Pty Ltd; Yarck; On-site; AUD 50,000 - 70,000; Part time

Job summary

Koala Cherries Packhouse in Yarck is recruiting for Team Leaders to manage a large packing-line crew. You will direct staff, set up lines, rotate roles and train newcomers while enforcing safety and quality standards.

Roles are seasonal (November–January) with rosters that can include six days per week. Applicants must be prepared for cool conditions and to work in a packhouse environment.

Qualifications

• Excellent communication and personnel interaction.
• Ability to train and support new staff.
• Knowledge of personnel management and conflict resolution.
• Adhere to OHS guidelines and procedures.
• High level of compliance with Food Safety Guidelines.

Responsibilities

• Maintain composure in stressful situations.
• Lead and rotate staff on packing lines to ensure productivity.
• Direct packing staff to positions and provide guidance.
• Train new staff and ensure adherence to policies and procedures.
• Assist with batch changes and quality system participation.

Skills

Excellent communication

Ability to train and support new staff

Personnel management

Conflict resolution

OHS guidelines

Food safety

Job description

**WE ARE CURRENTLY RECRUITING FOR PEOPLE WHO CAN START WORK IN NOVEMBER**

Team Leaders are required to lead a large team on the packing line. This is a great role for a person who can build positive, productive relationships whilst rolling their sleeves up to get the job done.

• Ensuring packing lines are set up before start of shift
• Direct packing staff to their positions and rotate staff during the shift
• Training new staff
• Ensuring all staff are complying with policies and procedures
• Setting up for batch changes

Qualifications/Attributes:

• Excellent communication/personnel interaction
• Ability to train and support new staff
• Knowledge of personnel management and conflict resolution
• Able to work in constant cool temperature
• Adhere to all Occupational, Health and Safety (OHS) guidelines and procedures
• High level of compliance with Food Safety Guidelines

Elements of Position

• Must be able to maintain composure in stressful situations
• Ability to build a cohesive team in a positive work environment
• Monitor sorters, packers and final packing of goods
• Understand and participate in Packhouse quality system
• Ensure all tasks are assigned in a proper and timely manner

Successful applicant may have knowledge of fruit defects, varieties, machinery, and supplies - not essential as we will provide training.

Physical requirements:

• Standing / walking, crouching, stooping, twisting, balancing, reaching, overhead extension, handling, pushing/pulling pallets of fruit, lifting carrying (11kg)
• Long hours of standing in one position.
• Senses: Speaking, hearing, sight (far, near, colour).

Work is performed in a Packhouse. Room is well ventilated with moderate noise, good lighting, moderate paper dust, and cool temperature

Safety Factors:

Hazards encountered include lifting packed boxes, roller belt, cool temperature, forklift traffic

PPE/Food Safety Compliance:

Staff working in the Packhouse are required to wear safety shoes (reinforced toe), no jewellery with stones and short, unpolished nails.

Please note that a resume and cover letteris optional for this role.

Important Information for Applicants

Koala Cherries employ seasonal staff from November to January. Starting dates and hours are staggered due to crop maturity and vary from day to day especially at the beginning of harvest. Hours are dependent on volumes of cherries to be picked and sorted. A roster system is designed for Packhouse staff to ensure staff work 6 days a week if requested (by you). We are flexible as to the number of days, however a commitment of a minimum of 2 days is required. Staff are required to work the full shift and longer hours are usually required in the lead up to Christmas - you must be available to work if rostered over this period. We prefer our employees to stay for the entire cherry season.

(Please note that these dates are subject to weather conditions and other factors).

General Information - Packhouse

The Koala Cherries Packhouse is located in Yarck, a small rural town approx. 150km north-east of Melbourne. It is located 14km from the main township of Alexandra and 21 kms from Yea. Both towns have a supermarket, petrol stations, library, takeaway food, cafes, pubs and various other shops.

General Information – Orchards

Koala Cherries has twelve orchards located in Alexandra, Yarck, Boho and Cobram.

Transportation

There is no public transport available in any of our locations - you must be able to provide your own transportation to your workplace.

Right to Work in Australia

Employees that are not Australian citizens must meet the requirements of the Department of Immigration and must obtain a valid working visa. You will be required to provide us with Passport/Visa when completing your employment information online. We will check that your Visa is valid with the Department of Immigration.

Time worked at Koala Cherries can go towards your application for the second or third WHM visa.

Wages

Wages are paid weekly into your nominated bank account and the applicable Tax is deducted, and Superannuation contributions paid. Our rates are above award and in accordance with our Enterprise Agreement. We do not pay penalty rates for work undertaken on Public Holidays during our Production (Harvest) Period.

Training

If your application is successful, you are required to complete an online induction before commencing employment and an onsite induction on your first day of employment.

Accommodation

Koala Cherries does not provide any accommodation, so you will be required to find your own. We do have a list of local accommodation options that you can request to be emailed to you.