Seasonal Forklift Operator 2026/2027 at Suncrest Orchard

Suncrest Orchard; Cromwell Community; On-site; NZD 36,000 - 52,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Guaranteed 32 hours/week

Seasonal fixed term

Accommodation options

Team environment

Hourly pay

End of Season Bonus

Job summary

Suncrest Orchard in Cromwell, NZ, is seeking a Seasonal Forklift Operator for the cherry export packing season. You will operate a forklift in the packhouse, unload and load trailers, assist with pre-cooling, and manage bin cards while supporting other packhouse tasks.

Flexibility for long December–February hours is essential. The role offers a guaranteed minimum of 32 hours per week, seasonal fixed-term employment, accommodation options, a supportive team environment, and an end-of-season bonus

Qualifications

• NZOSH forklift license with F endorsement.
• Experience operating a forklift in a workplace.

Responsibilities

• Unload/load fruit trailers around the packhouse.
• Pre-cool fruit and manage bin cards.
• Place bins in cool stores and feed packing line.
• Assist with other packhouse duties and tolerate long hours.

Skills

Forklift operation

Teamwork

Attention to detail

Reliability

Punctuality

Job description

Apply for Seasonal Forklift Operator 2026/2027 at Suncrest Orchard in Cromwell, S, NZ. This Full time on site position offers great opportunities for career growth.

About the role

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.

We Offer

• A guaranteed minimum of 32 hours per week.
• Seasonal Fixed Term Employment agreements.
• A range of accommodation.
• A great team environment.
• Payment by hourly rate.
• If you work in the role until the end of the cherry packing season, we pay an End of Season Bonus.

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