Orchard Operations Manager - Heretaunga Plains

Craigmore Sustainables; Central Ontario; On-site; CAD 74,000 - 107,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive remuneration package

Opportunities to grow your skill set

Scope to use your initiative and shape

Job summary

Craigmore Sustainables is seeking a hands-on horticulture leader to drive our apple orchards on the Heretaunga Plains. You will manage growing operations, lead teams, and ensure safe, efficient, and productive work while steering budgeting, forecasting and financial performance.

You will also guide orchard development, contractor management and a collaborative culture focused on continuous improvement. You will bring a tertiary degree in horticulture or related field and 8–10 years of pip fruit

Qualifications

• Strong operational and technical expertise in growing apples.
• Proven management and leadership experience delivering results.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills to build relationships at all levels.
• Knowledge of HR management for permanent and seasonal staff.

Responsibilities

• Oversee growing operations for orchards under direct management.
• Provide leadership, direction and a positive culture for teams.
• Develop strong safety culture and ensure H&S compliance.
• Support budgeting, forecasting and financial tracking.
• Ensure regulatory compliance and drive best practice across operations.
• Identify risks and implement mitigation strategies.
• Oversee orchard development projects and monitor financial performance.

Skills

Operational leadership

Apple growing expertise

Financial management

Communication & relationship building

HR management (staff)

Daily work planning

Education

Tertiary degree in horticulture or related field

Job description

About the role

Employed in our horticulture division, you'll be the driving force behind the success of our apple orchards located in the Heretaunga Plains of Hawkes Bay. At present, this covers 170 canopy hectares across two modern orchards with future growth and expansion in the works. Each orchard grows a range of varieties such as Dazzle, Lumi and Rockit. You'll oversee everything from planning and managing growing operations ensuring the health of crops, organising labour, and keeping things running safely & smoothly. You'll lead and inspire a team to achieve great results.

Budgeting, forecasting, and keeping an eye on financial performance will be key, as well as ensuring compliance with industry standards and health & safety regulations. You'll also play a role in developing new orchards, managing contractors, and fostering a positive, collaborative work culture. With a focus on continuous improvement, you'll be hands-on in creating a safe, efficient, and productive environment that drives the apple business forward.

Key responsibilities

Reporting to our Business Manager - Apples, this is a "hands-on" position where you will be responsible for:

• Overseeing apple growing operations for orchards under direct management
• Providing leadership, direction and a positive culture by engaging and inspiring teams
• Developing a strong safety culture and ensuring H&S compliance
• Supporting reporting processes, maintaining budgets and forecasts
• Ensuring regulatory and compliance requirements are met, driving best practice
• Identifying risks and implementing mitigation strategies
• Overseeing orchard development projects and financial tracking

About you

You’ll be a passionate individual, who is motivated to achieve excellence and thrives on success. You will also possess:

• Preferably a tertiary degree in Horticulture or related field and/or 8-10 years of proven experience in the pip fruit sector
• Strong operational and technical expertise in growing apples
• Proven management and leadership experience with a track record of delivering results
• Strong ability and experience managing the financials
• Quick decision-making skills and a process-driven approach
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills to build relationships at all levels
• Knowledge and experience in human resource management for permanent and seasonal staff
• Ability to organise, prioritise, and manage daily work effectively

At Craigmore, we're driven by a long-term vision: to deliver strong outcomes for our investors, our people, and the land we steward. Join our team today and enjoy:

• A forward thinking, apple growing business
• Opportunities to grow your skill set in a developing business
• The scope to use your initiative and influence outcomes
• Competitive remuneration package

About Craigmore Sustainables

Craigmore is a unique New Zealand-owned and operated company managing more than 38,600 hectares of dairy, grazing, forestry and horticulture properties throughout New Zealand. The company manages over $1.5 billion of assets and employs more than 350 people.

To learn more about Craigmore go to: www.craigmore.com