Harvester Operator

Season's Best; Ashburton; On-site; NZD 30,000 - 39,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Staff discounts

Training provided

Great working conditions

Locations across NZ

PPE provided

Job summary

Season's Best Ashburton is seeking Harvester Operators to join our Ashburton Vegetable plant during the pea harvest season (Dec 2026–Feb 2027). This seasonal role features 12-hour shifts on a day or night roster, with a 6 days on/1 day off pattern and remuneration based on experience.

You will follow SOPs, attend toolbox talks, perform cleaning and basic maintenance, and ensure equipment is set up by the Field Supervisor before harvest, making only approved adjustments.

Qualifications

• Minimum of two harvest seasons experience.
• Strong knowledge of cleaning procedures and maintenance practices.
• Knowledge of Harvester operation and efficient crop harvest.
• Excellent communication and troubleshooting skills.

Responsibilities

• Adhering to company SOPs, SWPs and related policies.
• Attending daily toolbox talks prior to harvest commencing (in person, or remotely).
• Conducting regular harvester cleaning and basic maintenance (e.g., greasing, checking fluids).
• Ensuring machine technology has been setup by Field Supervisor/ Mechanic prior to the start of harvest and only make adjustments requested.

Skills

Harvester operation

Cleaning procedures

Maintenance practices

Communication

Troubleshooting

Job description

Season's Best delivers New Zealand-grown vegetables and potato products with fast processing and consistent specs built for busy kitchens, reliable menus, and steady supply.

• Join Season’s Best Ashburton as Harvester Operators and take advantage of generous staff discounts & perks, great training opportunities to further your knowledge and great working conditions.
• Join a 100% New Zealand owned company with an international reputation for quality.
• Opportunities for growth with opportunities across multiple brands and locations.

About the role

We are accepting applications for Harvester Operators to join our Team at our Ashburton Vegetable plant starting approximately November 2026, during our Pea Harvesting season (December 2026 – February 2027). This is a seasonal role working 12-hour shifts, on either day or night shift, likely following a 6 days on / 1 day off roster. Remuneration will be based on your experience and qualifications.

As a Harvester Operator, you will be responsible for:

• Adhering to company SOPs, SWPs and related policies.
• Attending daily (and paddock) Toolbox talks prior to harvest commencing (in person, or remotely).
• Conducting regular harvester cleaning and basic maintenance (e.g., greasing, checking fluids).
• Ensuring machine technology has been setup by Field Supervisor/ Mechanic prior to the start of harvest and only make adjustments requested.

For this role, you’ll need:

• Minimum of Two Seasons experience
• Strong knowledge of cleaning procedures and maintenance practices.
• Knowledge of Harvester Operation and efficient crop harvest.
• Excellent communication and troubleshooting skills.

With Season’s Best, you will get:

• Great working conditions
• Training provided
• Generous staff discounts and perks
• Locations across New Zealand offering opportunities to move as you do
• Gear and PPE provided

About us:

Season's Best is part of the Talley's group. Talley’s is a multi-division, international company that’s proudly New Zealand owned and operated, bringing the best New Zealand seafood, mussels, and vegetable products locally and to the world. With over 2000 employees across 12 South Island locations, we’re committed to excellence in everything we do.

There’s a history of goodness at Talley’s—and it’s not just our nutritious, delicious food. We stand by the impeccable quality of our products and our growing team of skilled workers as we bring healthy, delicious food to dinner tables near and far. What really sets us apart is the fact that all our products come directly from and are processed in New Zealand, and our people are fundamental to our success.

Season's Best is a drug free workplace. All candidates may be required to under-go pre-employment and random drug screening.

Applicants must be legally entitled to work permanently in New Zealand.