Fitter Welder/General Engineer

LeaderBrand; Gisborne; Hybrid; NZD 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

LeaderBrand in Gisborne, New Zealand, seeks a hands-on Fitter Welder / General Engineer to keep machinery and workshop operations running safely and efficiently. You’ll work in our Agricultural Workshop in Gisborne on tractors, implements, hydraulic systems and more, performing fabrication, welding, maintenance and breakdown support.

The role suits practical tradespeople who value quality workmanship, safety and teamwork.

Qualifications

• Trade qualification in engineering, fabrication, fitting and welding or equivalent practical experience.
• Strong MIG, TIG and arc welding experience.
• Ability to read and interpret technical drawings and measurements.

Responsibilities

• Fabrication and welding across agricultural equipment and workshop assets.
• Carry out machinery repairs, maintenance, fault-finding and preventative work.
• Provide breakdown support and contribute to safety and workmanship standards.

Skills

Fitting

Welding

Fabrication

Mechanical repair

Fault-finding

Education

Trade qualification in engineering/fabrication/fitting and welding

Tools

MIG welding

TIG welding

Arc welding

Job description

As a Fitter Welder / General Engineer, you’ll play a key role in keeping LeaderBrand’s machinery, equipment, and workshop operations running safely and efficiently. Working from our Agricultural Workshop in Gisborne, you’ll be involved in everything from fabrication and welding through to machinery repairs, preventative maintenance, and breakdown support.

No two days are the same. You’ll work across a wide range of agricultural equipment, including tractors, implements, hydraulic systems, trailers, and workshop assets, helping minimise downtime and support our farming operations through the seasons.

This is a hands‑on role suited to someone who enjoys solving problems, takes pride in quality workmanship, and thrives in a practical workshop environment. You’ll join a supportive team where your skills and experience will contribute directly to the success of one of New Zealand’s leading horticultural businesses.

About You

You’re a practical, safety‑conscious tradesperson who enjoys working with machinery and takes pride in delivering quality work. You bring strong fitting, welding, fabrication, and mechanical repair skills, along with a proactive approach to problem‑solving.

Ideally, you’ll have experience working in an engineering, mechanical, or agricultural workshop environment and be confident carrying out repairs, maintenance, fault‑finding, and fabrication work. You’ll be a reliable team player who communicates well, follows instructions, and can work independently when required.

To be successful in this role, you’ll have:

• A trade qualification in engineering, fabrication, fitting and welding, or equivalent practical experience
• Strong MIG, TIG and arc welding experience
• The ability to read and interpret technical drawings and measurements
• Good mechanical aptitude and fault‑finding skills
• A commitment to working safely and maintaining high workmanship standards
• A current Class 1 driver’s licence
• Flexibility to support seasonal demands and occasional weekend or on‑call work when required

Most importantly, you’ll have a positive attitude, a strong work ethic, and a willingness to roll up your sleeves and get the job done.

About LeaderBrand

At LeaderBrand, we’re passionate about evolving fresh food for a healthier world. As a proud family‑owned business, our goal is to be New Zealand’s most innovative and consistent fresh food producer. We farm across three key growing regions, process and pack in state‑of‑the‑art post‑harvest facilities, and are supported by a nationwide sales team delivering fresh produce to every corner of Aotearoa. Our 400+ people are central to our success. We’re always on the lookout for new talent with energy, passion, and a drive to learn – people excited to help shape the future of fresh food.
Gisborne is the heart of our business and the place where LeaderBrand was founded more than 50 years ago. Over that time, LeaderBrand has become integral to the story of our community, with the next generations of those who started with us returning to shape the future alongside us. We also have farms in Pukekohe and Chertsey.
We have a strong vision for the future of our business, our people, and our industry. We’re constantly pushing the boundaries of what’s possible. Our continuous improvement mindset grounds us as one of New Zealand’s leading horticultural businesses. We seek, harness, and develop the best people, technology, land, and machinery to shape the future of food.