SPRAY OPERATOR

LeaderBrand Produce Limited; Gisborne, Auckland; Hybrid; NZD 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

LeaderBrand Produce Limited is seeking a Spray Operator for our Gisborne farming operations. You will apply agrichemicals safely and accurately, calibrate equipment, and maintain records to ensure crop health and product quality.

Be prepared to work outdoors, manage chemicals responsibly, and collaborate with agronomy, irrigation and engineering teams to meet high standards of safety and stewardship.

Qualifications

• Practical agriculture/farm operations experience preferred.
• 2+ years operating sprayers, tractors or similar equipment preferred.
• Solid knowledge of agrichemical application, calibration, PPE and label requirements.
• Understanding of EH&S, food safety, GAP and compliance requirements.
• Class 1 NZ licence and up-to-date certification (Growsafe, First Aid) preferred.

Responsibilities

• Perform spray application accurately following programmes and labels.
• Handle, mix and store agrichemicals safely to prevent drift and contamination.
• Maintain spray records and calibrate equipment.
• Carry out pre-start checks and basic maintenance on spray machinery.
• Support safety, teamwork and efficient farm operations.

Skills

Spray operations

Tractor operation

Safety compliance

Communication

Time management

Teamwork

Record keeping

Education

NZ Class 1 driver licence

Growsafe certification

First Aid certification

WTR endorsement

Tools

GPS-guided machinery

Rate controllers

Mapping systems

Farm data platforms

Job description

As a Spray Operator, you'll play a critical frontline role in supporting our Gisborne farming operations. You'll be responsible for the safe, accurate and timely application of agrichemicals across crops, ensuring spray programmes are delivered to plan and in line with compliance, environmental and food safety standards.

Working closely with crop production, agronomy, irrigation, engineering and wider farm teams, you'll help maintain crop health, protect product quality and ensure our produce is grown to the highest standard.

This is a hands-on role where you'll be right where the action is, operating spray equipment, managing chemical handling and calibration, and maintaining machinery. Attention to detail, strong communication and a commitment to safety and stewardship are essential.

Key elements of the role include:

• Spray application & accuracy: Deliver spraying operations safely and precisely, following spray programmes, label instructions and best practice. Monitor conditions, equipment performance and coverage to ensure optimal results.


• Agrichemical handling & compliance: Mix, handle and store chemicals responsibly, following all regulatory, environmental and company requirements while preventing drift, contamination and safety risks.


• Calibration & records: Maintain accurate spray records, monitor chemical usage and ensure all equipment is correctly calibrated and documented.


• Machinery & maintenance: Carry out pre-start checks, cleaning and basic maintenance, and work with engineering teams to keep equipment operating reliably.


• Safety & teamwork: Uphold high health and safety standards, communicate clearly with the wider team, and contribute to efficient, well-coordinated farm operations.

This role suits someone who enjoys practical, outdoor work, takes pride in doing things properly, and values being part of a team that produces high-quality, New Zealand-grown produce.

About You

Qualifications & Experience

• Practical experience in agriculture, horticulture, crop production, farm machinery or field operations preferred.


• 2+ years' experience operating sprayers, tractors, agrichemical application equipment or similar farm machinery preferred.


• Strong working knowledge of agrichemical application, spray programmes, calibration, PPE, label requirements, weather constraints and crop protection practices.


• Understanding of environmental, health and safety, food safety, GAP, WQA and agrichemical compliance requirements.


• Class 1 New Zealand driver licence and current Growsafe certification, or ability to obtain immediately.

Core Skills & Competencies

• Accurate, safety-focused operator with strong attention to detail and pride in work standards.


• Able to identify spray equipment, calibration, product, weather, block access and application risks early.


• Confident communicator able to work effectively with managers, agronomists, crop teams, engineering and administration.


• Strong time management, prioritisation and ability to perform under seasonal and weather-driven pressure.


• Disciplined with records, chemical reconciliation, pre-starts, washdown, maintenance reporting and compliance requirements.


• Outcome-driven, using sound judgement to support crop health, product quality, environmental stewardship and business success.


• Adaptable, open to variety and comfortable managing changing priorities, weather windows, crop requirements and operational constraints.

Desirable Experience & Qualifications:

• Forklift licence (OSH or equivalent).


• WTR endorsement, Class 2 licence or other relevant heavy vehicle/farm machinery licences.


• Experience with GPS-guided machinery, rate controllers, precision agriculture tools, mapping systems or farm data platforms.


• Additional agrichemical, chemical handling or environmental compliance training.


• Competence in basic machinery maintenance, spray calibration, nozzle checks, fault-finding and troubleshooting.


• Familiarity with health & safety systems, pre-starts, incident reporting and contractor management.


• First Aid certification.

About LeaderBrand

At LeaderBrand, we're passionate about evolving fresh food for a healthier world. As a proud family-owned business, our goal is to be New Zealand's most innovative and consistent fresh food producer. We farm across three key growing regions, process and pack in state-of-the-art post-harvest facilities, and are supported by a nationwide sales team delivering fresh produce to every corner of Aotearoa. Our 400+ people are central to our success. We're always on the lookout for new talent with energy, passion, and a drive to learn - people excited to help shape the future of fresh food.
Gisborne is the heart of our business and the place where LeaderBrand was founded more than 50 years ago. Over that time, LeaderBrand has become integral to the story of our community, with the next generations of those who started with us returning to shape the future alongside us. We also have farms in Pukekohe and Chertsey.
We have a strong vision for the future of our business, our people, and our industry. We're constantly pushing the boundaries of what's possible. Our continuous improvement mindset grounds us as one of New Zealand's leading horticultural businesses. We seek, harness, and develop the best people, technology, land, and machinery to shape the future of food.