Packhouse and Orchard Operations Supervisor

T&G Global Limited; Alexandra; On-site; NZD 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

T&G Global is seeking an Orchard & Packhouse Operations Supervisor for our Stonefruit team at Hintons, Alexandra. This hands-on leadership role covers both orchard and cherry packhouse operations during harvest and beyond, guiding seasonal teams and coordinating shift activities to meet quality and safety standards.

You will partner with the Operations Manager to drive productivity, develop people, and continuously improve processes across packing lines and orchard tasks, with a focus on

Qualifications

• 3+ years' experience in horticulture, agriculture, packhouse, or related operations
• Experience supervising teams in fast-paced environments
• Strong leadership and people-management skills
• Practical orchard operations experience
• Ability to stay calm under pressure
• Positive, proactive, collaborative approach
• Strong communication and attention to detail
• Flexibility to work extended hours during seasonal peaks
• Cherry packhouse experience (highly valued)
• Forklift licence (valued)
• Growsafe certification (valued)
• Horticultural qualifications or training (valued)

Responsibilities

• Supervise and lead teams across cherry packhouse and orchard operations
• Coordinate rostering, staffing, and shift activities
• Drive productivity, quality, and throughput while maintaining food safety standards
• Support machinery operation and troubleshooting
• Ensure start-up and shutdown procedures meet high standards
• Foster a positive, high-performing team culture
• Support orchard operations including harvesting, pruning, spraying, irrigation, and crop monitoring
• Contribute to continuous improvement and compliance programmes
• Promote health, safety, and wellbeing across the operation

Skills

People management

Leadership

Horticulture experience

Packhouse operations

Cherry harvest

Safety awareness

Job description

At T&G Global, our story is one of growth, innovation, and helping people thrive. Every day we work to nourish generations of kiwis and consumers around the world with fresh, healthy produce.

We're looking for an experienced Orchard & Packhouse Operations Supervisor to join our high-performing Stonefruit team at Hintons, Alexandra. This is a unique opportunity to play a key leadership role across both our orchard and cherry packhouse operations, supporting one of New Zealand's premium cherry businesses through harvest and beyond.

About the Role

This is a hands-on leadership position that changes with the seasons.

During our busy cherry harvest, you'll work closely with the Operations Manager to lead day-to-day packhouse operations, ensuring fruit is packed efficiently, safely, and to the high quality standards our customers expect. You'll supervise seasonal teams, coordinate shift activities, support production targets, and help create a positive team environment during our busiest time of year.

Outside of harvest, your focus shifts to supporting our orchard operations, working alongside the orchard management team across a wide range of activities including crop management, irrigation, harvesting, spraying, quality control, and continuous improvement initiatives.

No two days are the same, making this an excellent opportunity for someone who enjoys leading people, solving problems, and working across multiple parts of a horticultural operation.

What You'll Be Doing

During Cherry Harvest

• Supervising and leading teams across the cherry packhouse

• Supporting rostering, staffing, and shift coordination

• Maximising productivity, fruit quality, and throughput

• Monitoring pack specifications, grades, and food safety requirements

• Supporting machinery operation and troubleshooting

• Ensuring start-up and shutdown procedures are completed to a high standard

• Driving a positive, high-performing team culture

Throughout the Year

• Supporting orchard operations including harvesting, pruning, spraying, irrigation, and crop monitoring

• Supervising seasonal and permanent team members

• Assisting with orchard quality assurance and compliance programmes

• Supporting Global GAP and other industry certification requirements

• Contributing to continuous improvement and innovation projects

• Promoting a strong health, safety, and wellbeing culture

What We're Looking For

We're interested in hearing from people who have:

• 3+ years' experience in horticulture, agriculture, packhouse, or related operations

• Experience supervising teams in a fast-paced environment

• Strong leadership and people management skills

• Practical orchard operations experience

• The ability to remain calm and effective under pressure

• A positive, proactive, and collaborative approach

• Strong communication skills and attention to detail

• Flexibility to work extended hours during seasonal peaks

Highly valued:

• Cherry packhouse experience

• Experience running packing lines or production environments

• Growsafe certification

• Forklift licence

• Horticultural qualifications or training

Why Join T&G?

At T&G, you'll be joining a supportive team passionate about growing great fruit and developing great people.

We offer:

• A permanent, year-round role with variety and responsibility

• The opportunity to lead large seasonal teams

• Hands-on involvement in a premium cherry operation

• Career development opportunities within a growing horticultural business

• A supportive and collaborative team environment

• The chance to live and work in beautiful Central Otago