Seasonal Forklift Operator

Suncrest Orchard; Cromwell Community; On-site; NZD 34,000 - 44,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Accommodation range

End of Season Bonus

Guaranteed hours

Job summary

Suncrest Orchard in Otago Cromwell is seeking forklift operators for the cherry export packing season, starting mid-late November through late January/February. Duties include unloading/loading fruit trailers, pre-cooling fruit, and assisting in the packhouse.

A current NZ OSH Forklift license with F endorsement, forklift experience, teamwork, and reliability are essential. The role requires long hours during peak season and flexibility.

Qualifications

• Current NZ OSH Forklift license with 'F' endorsement.
• Experience operating a forklift in a workplace.
• Ability to work long hours during peak season.

Responsibilities

• Unload and load fruit trailers in and around the packhouse.
• Pre-cool fruit and complete bin cards; ensure bins are correctly placed.
• Feed fruit to the packing line and ensure product security.
• Unload delivery trucks and load dispatch trucks; undertake other packhouse duties as required.

Skills

Forklift operation

Teamwork

Reliability

Punctuality

Attention to detail

Job description

Jora New Zealand will close on 9th September 2026. Thank you for being with us, we are cheering you on as you continue your career journey.

• A guaranteed minimum of 32 hours per week.
• A range of accommodation.
• If you work in the role until the end of the cherry packing season, we pay an End of Season Bonus.

We employ a team of three forklift drivers during the cherry export packing season. The positions start between mid-late November and mid-December. Work goes through until the completion of the cherry export season which is generally late January / early February.
As a forklift operator you will be working in and around the packhouse unloading and loading fruit trailers, pre-cooling fruit, completing bin cards, ensuring bins are correctly placed in the cool stores, feeding fruit to the packing line and ensuring product security is not compromised. There will also be unloading delivery trucks and loading dispatch trucks. Our forklift operators do not sit on a forklift all day and when you are not operating a forklift, you are required to undertake other general packhouse duties. The role requires you to be able to work flexible hours, particularly in the high season December to February.

Job Requirements

A current NZ OSH Forklift license with 'F' endorsement

Experience operating a forklift in a workplace

Teamwork

A positive can-do attitude and self-motivation

Reliability and punctuality

Attention to detail

The ability to work long hours when necessary