Packhouse Team Leader Seasonal

Best Berries; Riverhead; On-site; NZD 45,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

Best Berries in Riverhead, Auckland is seeking a hands-on Packhouse Team Leader for the peak strawberry season. This full-time seasonal role involves leading a small packing team, ensuring high-quality fruit packing and safe, efficient operations in a busy packhouse environment.

You will perform maintenance, assist with general farm duties, and promote safe practices while staying physically active and ready to roll up your sleeves. Immediate start and NZ work eligibility are required.

Qualifications

• Experience in packhouse, warehouse, horticulture, manufacturing or production environments.
• Team leader or supervisory experience preferred.
• Excellent physical fitness for heavy manual work.
• Hands-on handyman or maintenance skills.
• Good communication, initiative and reliability.

Responsibilities

• Support the daily operation of the packhouse.
• Supervise and work with the packing team.
• Ensure quality packing meets production standards.
• Carry out heavy lifting, movement of fruit and materials.
• Load/unload and move stock throughout the day.
• Repair and maintain strawberry carriers and equipment.
• Perform general maintenance and handyman tasks around the farm.
• Promote safe work practices and lead by example.

Skills

Leadership

Physical fitness

Hands-on handyman

Initiative

Team motivation

Reliable

Communication

Education

No formal degree required

Tools

Forklift licence (advantage)

Job description

Jora New Zealand will close on 16th September 2026. Thank you for being with us, we are cheering you on as you continue your career journey.

Immediate Start | Full-Time | Seasonal Position

Packhouse Team Leader (Seasonal)

Immediate Start | Full-Time | Seasonal Position

Location: Riverhead, Auckland

About Best Berries

Best Berries is one of New Zealand's leading strawberry growers, based in Riverhead, Auckland. We grow premium-quality strawberries using innovative and sustainable farming practices and are proud to supply fresh berries to customers throughout New Zealand.

We're looking for a hardworking, practical and motivatedPackhouse Team Leader to join our team for the remainder of the strawberry season.

About the Role

This is a hands-on leadership role working in our busy strawberry packhouse during our peak season.

You'll lead a small team while working alongside them to ensure strawberries are packed efficiently, safely and to the highest quality standards.

This is a physically demanding role involving regular heavy lifting, moving trays of fruit, loading and unloading materials, and keeping the packhouse running smoothly. You'll need to be someone who isn't afraid of hard work, enjoys being active and is happy to roll up your sleeves.

You'll also help with general maintenance around the packhouse, including repairing strawberry carriers, maintaining equipment and completing a variety of handyman tasks as required.

This is a seasonal position availableimmediately through until the end of the strawberry season, with full-time hours available.

Key Responsibilities

• Support the daily operation of the packhouse.
• Supervise and work alongside the packing team.
• Ensure strawberries are packed to quality and production standards.
• Carry out regular heavy lifting and movement of fruit, trays and materials.
• Load, unload and move stock throughout the day.
• Repair and maintain strawberry carriers.
• Carry out general handyman, maintenance and odd jobs around the farm.
• Help maintain a clean, organised and safe workplace.
• Assist with general farm duties when required.
• Promote safe work practices and lead by example.

About You

You'll ideally have:

• Previous experience in a packhouse, warehouse, horticulture, manufacturing or production environment.
• Team leader or supervisory experience (preferred but not essential).
• Excellent physical fitness and the ability to comfortably undertake heavy manual work throughout the day.
• A practical, hands-on attitude with good handyman or maintenance skills.
• The ability to think on your feet and use initiative.
• A strong work ethic and willingness to lead by example.
• Good communication skills and the ability to motivate others.
• A positive attitude and reliability.
• A current New Zealand or International driver's licence (preferred).
• forklift licence would be an advantage but is not essential.

Applicants must have the legal right to work in New Zealand.

The Opportunity

This is a fantastic opportunity to join a friendly, hardworking team during one of the busiest times of the year.

We're looking for someone who isfit, switched on, practical and enjoys working hard. If you like being active, leading from the front and working in a fast-paced environment, we'd love to hear from you.

Immediate start available. Applicants must already be in New Zealand and available to commence work immediately.