Orchard Team Leader

KiwiQuest; Cambridge; On-site; NZD 34,440 - 41,328; Full time

Job summary

KiwiQuest in New Zealand is seeking an experienced Orchard Team Leader for a full-time, permanent role to oversee cultivation, pruning, and harvest operations across multiple blocks.

You will lead day-to-day activities, manage pest and disease monitoring, irrigation and fertiliser applications, and ensure high safety and record-keeping standards while supporting berry picking logistics and packing processes.

Qualifications

• 2+ years in a horticultural role
• Experience with pest and disease monitoring
• Ability to manage irrigation and water systems
• Safe operation of machinery and adherence to Health & Safety standards

Responsibilities

• Oversee pest and disease monitoring, identification, and integrated management strategies
• Apply fertiliser, crop nutrition and protective treatments
• Monitor crop health and growth, implement horticultural practices and quality controls

Skills

Team leadership

Pest and disease monitoring

Record keeping

Health & safety awareness

Education

Horticulture qualification

Tools

Tractors

Mowers

Forklifts

Irrigation systems

Job description

Agriculture & Farm Work $25.0 - 30.0/h 2 days ago

Work Style

Physical 8/10

Technical 5/10

Creative 5/10

Pace 7/10

Structure 6/10

Pressure 6/10

Travel 1/10

Hours 4/10

Description

skilled and proactive Orchard Team Leader to join us on a full-time, permanent basis

Responsibilities

• Oversee pest and disease monitoring, identification, and integrated management strategies
• The application of fertiliser, crop nutrition and protective treatments
• Monitoring crop health and growth, and implementing appropriate horticultural practices and quality as directed

Requirements

• Manage water systems to ensure optimal hydration throughout the growth cycle and perform irrigation repairs
• Lead day-to-day maintenance, including pruning, weed/scrub management
• Planting: Laying mulch, punching holes, and planting
• Operations & Safety: Safely operate machinery (tractors, mowers, quad bikes, and forklifts), manage daily work schedules, and maintain rigorous Health & Safety standards, including reporting and risk mitigation
• Maintaining detailed records of orchard activities and timesheets
• Harvest & Packing: Coordinate the collection and lifting of berries, support pickers with logistics, and supervise grading and packing processes
• New Zealand resident or citizen with at least 2 years in a similar horticultural role. You will have proven expertise in crop checks, spraying, fertilising, and the full range of orchard maintenance tasks
• A qualification in Horticulture is highly preferred