Honey Processor and Packer

NZ Honey Group Limited; Hastings; On-site; NZD 45,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

NZ Honey Group Limited is seeking a hands-on Mānuka Honey Processor and Packer for our Hastings production team. You will support bottling and packaging operations, perform line setup, and help maintain SQF compliance in a fast-paced facility.

The role requires practical experience in food processing or packaging, attention to detail, mechanical aptitude, and safe work practices. A forklift licence is advantageous and full NZ work rights are required.

Qualifications

• Experience in food processing or packaging environments.
• Ability to operate and adjust production equipment.
• Clear written records for batch and quality data.

Responsibilities

• Operate and support line setup for bottling and packaging formats.
• Ensure fill-weight, label checks, date coding, and batch data meet SQF standards.
• Manage line changeovers and prepare pallets to minimise downtime and waste.
• Participate in sanitation, allergen control, and safety practices.

Skills

Food processing

Packaging

Line operation

Mechanical aptitude

Attention to detail

Team player

Physical fitness

Work ethic

Forklift licence

Tools

Forklift licence

Job description

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NZ Honey Group Limited - Hastings, North Island

Mānuka Honey Processor and Packer - Hastings, Hawke's Bay

Are you hands-on, detail-oriented, and ready to play a key role in producing world-renowned New Zealand Mānuka honey?

At NZ Honey Group Ltd, we take pride in processing, bottling, and packing premium Mānuka honey products for local and global markets. We are looking for a reliable, hard-working Honey Processor and Packer to join our Packing team in Hastings.

What You'll Be Doing

Working on the production floor, you'll support the safe, smooth, and efficient flow of bulk Mānuka honey through to final dispatch. Your core day-to-day responsibilities will include:

Line Operation & Setup: Performing pre-start checks, machine adjustments, and operating equipment for bottling and packaging varied formats (jars, squeeze bottles, honey sticks, sachets)

Quality & SQF Standards: Conducting fill-weight checks, label inspections, date coding, and completing batch data to meet strict RMP, MPI, and SQF certification standards.

Line Support & Changeovers: Managing jar, cap, and label format changes, preparing pallets, and minimising batch downtime or product waste.

Sanitation & Safety: Participating in room and machinery sanitation, maintaining allergen/contamination controls, and driving a proactive workplace safety culture.

What We're Looking For

While experience in Mānuka honey or beekeeping operations is ideal, we strongly encourage applications from candidates with a background in primary industries, dairy, food production, beverage bottling, or fast-paced manufacturing.

Experience: Practical experience in food processing, packaging, line operation, or primary manufacturing environments.

Team Player: You'll be joining a small inclusive team that works well together - where everyone is expected to roll up their sleeves and pull their weight.

Mechanical Aptitude: Comfortable with routine line setups, clearances, adjustments, and basic equipment troubleshooting.

Attention to Detail: Clear written communication and high numerical accuracy for completing precise batch and quality records.

Physical Fitness: Ability to handle extended standing, repetitive manual handling and tasks, and lifting.

Work Ethic: Punctual, practical, safety-focused, and comfortable working standard daytime production hours.

Requirements: Full NZ work rights, ability to pass pre-employment checks (drug screening and criminal history), and no known bee allergies. (Forklift Licence is a bonus!)

Hours: Standard day shift from 7:30 am to 4:30 pm, Monday to Friday (no weekend work).

Environment: Join a supportive, SQF-certified team where your contributions and practical ideas matter. Permanent full-time stability in Hawke's Bay.

Growth Potential: Show drive and initiative, and you'll have clear opportunities to progress into a Team Lead or Supervisory role as our operations grow.