Forklift Operator with Mechanical Aptitude

Aotearoa New Zealand Association of Social Workers; Ashburton; On-site; NZD 30,000 - 39,000; Full time

Job summary

A reliable, safety conscious hands on Forklift Driver role in potato shed operations. This role goes beyond basic bin handling, requiring someone with a strong mechanical aptitude, who can identify equipment / operational issues early, perform basic maintenance checks, and keep operations running smoothly with minimal downtime.

This role varies seasonally with real variety. During harvest and peak throughput you'll be shifting bins, unloading trucks, loading cool stores and keeping our grading

Qualifications

• Valid forklift operator certification.
• Experience operating forklifts in a shed, coolstore, rural, or agricultural setting (potato/produce experience a strong plus).
• Genuine mechanical aptitude, able to inspect, diagnose, and carry out basic to intermediate maintenance and repairs.
• Willingness to adapt to seasonal demands and pace as tasks shift through the year.
• Ability to work independently during quieter maintenance periods and as part of a team during peak.

Responsibilities

• Safely and efficiently operate forklifts to load and unload trucks, move bins, stack within cool stores and keeping bins supplied to our grading and cutting line
• Identify and report mechanical issues before they become costly breakdowns
• Assist with basic troubleshooting and minor equipment maintenance
• Accurately pick, stage, and stack bins according to cutting requirements
• Feed and support grading, sizing, and packing line as required
• Take a key role in Health and Safety, by maintaining high standards and encourage a positive Health and Safety within the team

Skills

Forklift operation

Mechanical aptitude

Preventive maintenance

Independent work

Teamwork

Job description

Forklift Operator with Mechanical Aptitude

A reliable, safety conscious hands on Forklift Driver role in potato shed operations. This role goes beyond basic bin handling, requiring someone with a strong mechanical aptitude, who can identify equipment / operational issues early, perform basic maintenance checks, and keep operations running smoothly with minimal downtime.

This role varies seasonally with real variety. During harvest and peak throughput you'll be shifting bins, unloading trucks, loading cool stores and keeping our grading line operating efficiently. During the shoulder season, the focus shifts to preventative maintenance, servicing and completing routine preventive maintenance, cleaning and inspections.

Key responsibilities

• Safely and efficiently operate forklifts to load and unload trucks, move bins, stack within cool stores and keeping bins supplied to our grading and cutting line


• Identify and report mechanical issues before they become costly breakdowns


• Assist with basic troubleshooting and minor equipment maintenance


• Accurately pick, stage, and stack bins according to cutting requirements


• Feed and support grading, sizing, and packing line as required


• Take a key role in Health and Safety, by maintaining high standards and encourage a positive Health and Safety within the team

About you

• Valid forklift operator certification


• Experience operating forklifts in a shed, coolstore, rural, or agricultural setting (potato/produce experience a strong plus)


• Genuine mechanical aptitude, able to inspect, diagnose, and carry out basic to intermediate maintenance and repairs, understanding equipment function


• Willingness to adapt to seasonal demands and pace as tasks will shift through the year


• Ability to work independently during quieter maintenance periods and as part of a team during peak


• Prior proven Maintenance / Engineering experience in preventive maintenance or light equipment repair