Packhouse Shift Lead – Kiwifruit Operations

Punchbowl PackCo; Patumahoe; On-site; NZD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Workplace wellbeing programme

Job summary

Punchbowl PackCo is seeking an Assistant Packhouse Manager to lead kiwifruit packing operations in Patumahoe. This hands-on leadership role supports day-to-day delivery, coaching teams and solving operational problems in a busy production environment.

Reporting to the Post Harvest Operations Manager, you will oversee shifts during peak season (Feb–June), manage a ~70-person team, plan rosters, monitor quality and safety, and drive continuous improvement using Lean tools.

Qualifications

• At least two years' experience in an operational, production or people leadership role.
• A people focused approach with a proven ability to lead, organise labour and workflow, and deliver production and quality targets.
• Clear communication, good judgement and a practical approach to solving problems.
• Confidence using Microsoft Excel and learning new operational and reporting systems.
• The flexibility to work 4 x 12-hour shifts each week during the main packing season (Feb to June), including 1 weekend day.
• The legal right to work in New Zealand.

Responsibilities

• Lead your shift, coordinating people, workflow and resources against the production plan
• Set clear expectations, coach the team and help create a positive, accountable workplace
• Monitor production, quality, labour efficiency and product care, responding quickly when something is off track
• Maintain strong health and safety, food safety, biosecurity, traceability and compliance standards
• Plan rosters and labour requirements and oversee accurate timesheets, job coding, induction and training
• Liaise with the supply team around local market demands and rework
• Use Lean and continuous improvement tools to improve flow, efficiency and workplace organisation
• Build effective working relationships with growers, internal teams and suppliers
• Outside of the packing season you will review and update SOPs, prepare the packhouse for next season, lead repack and pollen processing, coordinate cleaning and maintenance teams and get involved with projects.

Skills

People leadership

Operations planning

Problem solving

Communication

Lean basics

Tools

Microsoft Excel

Job description

Punchbowl PackCo is seeking an Assistant Packhouse Manager to lead kiwifruit packing operations in Patumahoe. This hands-on leadership role supports day-to-day delivery, coaching teams and solving operational problems in a busy production environment.

Reporting to the Post Harvest Operations Manager, you will oversee shifts during peak season (Feb–June), manage a ~70-person team, plan rosters, monitor quality and safety, and drive continuous improvement using Lean tools.