Kiwifruit Orchard Work

Anhad Horticulture Limited; Bay of Plenty; On-site; NZD 34,000 - 41,000; Full time

Job summary

JB Kiwifruit Holdings Limited is seeking a qualified Fruit Production Supervisor to oversee day-to-day orchard operations across Bay of Plenty sites, ensuring productivity and safe practices. You will supervise staff, assign tasks, monitor performance, and coordinate crop health, irrigation, and harvest schedules while maintaining quality standards and records.

The role requires outdoor work, flexibility during peak seasons, and the ability to travel between orchard sites in Rotorua and

Qualifications

• Qualified with Level 4 or higher in horticulture or related field, or 2+ years supervising fruit production.
• Knowledge of orchard management practices and production cycles.
• Ability to lead teams, allocate tasks, monitor performance and maintain quality.
• Strong organisational, time-management, and problem-solving skills.
• Willing to travel between orchard sites and work outdoors in varied weather.

Responsibilities

• Supervise and coordinate orchard workers carrying out planting, pruning, thinning, spraying, harvesting, packing, and other fruit production activities.
• Allocate daily tasks, organise work teams, monitor attendance and performance, and ensure production targets and timeframes are met.
• Monitor crop health and coordinate irrigation, fertilisation, pest management, and disease-control programmes.
• Plan daily and seasonal work programmes in line with orchard production schedules and changing weather or crop requirements.
• Train, guide, and mentor orchard staff to improve performance, productivity, and safe working practices.
• Ensure workers comply with workplace health and safety requirements, company policies, and site procedures.
• Inspect completed work and ensure quality standards are achieved for fruit production, harvesting, and packing activities.
• Maintain accurate records of production, staff performance, work completed, and other orchard activities.
• Report crop progress, staffing requirements, operational issues, and equipment or supply needs to management.
• Assist with general orchard duties when required and support the efficient operation of multiple orchard sites.

Skills

Orchard management

Team leadership

Organisational skills

Communication

Problem solving

Education

Level 4 qualification or higher

Job description

Job Details

PAY RATE: $25.00 to $30.00 per hour

EMPLOYMENT TYPE: Permanent, full-time

HOURS OF WORK: Minimum 30 and maximum 40 hours per week

LOCATION: Rotorua and orchard sites within the Bay of Plenty

APPLICATIONS: CV and supporting evidence required

About the role

JB Kiwifruit Holdings Limited is seeking a qualified and reliable Fruit Production Supervisor to oversee day-to-day orchard operations and supervise staff involved in fruit production activities. This is a key role responsible for maintaining productivity, quality standards, safe work practices, and operational efficiency across orchard sites.

Key duties and responsibilities

• Supervise and coordinate orchard workers carrying out planting, pruning, thinning, spraying, harvesting, packing, and other fruit production activities.
• Allocate daily tasks, organise work teams, monitor attendance and performance, and ensure production targets and timeframes are met.
• Monitor crop health and coordinate irrigation, fertilisation, pest management, and disease‑control programmes.
• Plan daily and seasonal work programmes in line with orchard production schedules and changing weather or crop requirements.
• Train, guide, and mentor orchard staff to improve performance, productivity, and safe working practices.
• Ensure workers comply with workplace health and safety requirements, company policies, and site procedures.
• Inspect completed work and ensure quality standards are achieved for fruit production, harvesting, and packing activities.
• Maintain accurate records of production, staff performance, work completed, and other orchard activities.
• Report crop progress, staffing requirements, operational issues, and equipment or supply needs to management.
• Assist with general orchard duties when required and support the efficient operation of multiple orchard sites.

Skills and experience required

• A Level 4 or higher relevant qualification, or at least two years of relevant work experience in fruit production, orchard operations, horticulture, or a comparable supervisory role.
• Practical knowledge of orchard management practices and fruit production cycles.
• Ability to lead work teams, allocate tasks, monitor performance, and maintain productivity and quality standards.
• Strong organisational, time‑management, communication, and problem‑solving skills.
• Ability to work outdoors in varying weather conditions and travel between orchard sites as reasonably required.

Additional requirements

• The successful applicant must be physically fit and capable of undertaking manual orchard tasks when required.
• A strong understanding of workplace health and safety expectations is essential.
• The applicant must be reliable and available to work flexible hours during seasonal peak periods, within the stated maximum weekly hours.
• The applicant must have the legal right to work in New Zealand or be eligible to obtain the appropriate work visa.