Yard Operator - Timaru

Mccain Foods; Canterbury; On-site; NZD 30,000 - 47,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive hourly rates

Life and disability insurance

KiwiSaver contributions up to 4%

Job summary

McCain Foods (NZ) Limited in Timaru is seeking a reliable Yard Operator on a day shift to support yard activity, unload deliveries, stage materials for production and uphold GMP standards.

Reporting to Coldstore Manager, you will work with Yard Operator team and liaise with Production, Maintenance, Warehouse and external drivers to keep site operations running smoothly. Flexibility for occasional 12-hour shifts on a rotating roster is required.

Qualifications

• Experience operating forklifts safely in warehousing, logistics, manufacturing or industrial settings.
• Ability to follow GMP and safety procedures in yard/production areas.
• Strong communication across multiple teams and external stakeholders.
• Current NZ Driver Licence required.

Responsibilities

• Unload deliveries and stage materials for production requirements.
• Safely operate forklifts throughout yard and warehouse.
• Receive, store, move and dispatch materials with inventory accuracy.
• Use computer-based inventory systems to record stock movements.
• Coordinate daily activities with Production, Maintenance, Warehouse and drivers.
• Provide relief coverage for Yard Operator during planned or unplanned absences.

Skills

Forklift operation

OSH Forklift Certificate

Team communication

Inventory awareness

Tools

SAP

WMS

Job description

Position Title: Yard Operator - Timaru

Position Type: Regular - Full-Time

Requisition ID: 44957

In every role, McCainers are ambitious, curious, and passionate about creating exceptional work experiences —together. With a customer-first mindset, we make doing business with McCain easy.

About the role.

We're looking for a reliable and proactive Yard Operator to join our team in Timaru.

This newly created day-based position will play a key role in supporting increased weekday yard activity across site. Your primary focus will be unloading incoming deliveries, staging materials for production and maintaining Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) standards within the yard area.

Reporting to the Coldstore Manager, you'll work closely with the shift-based Yard Operator, Coldstore team, Inventory Administrator, Shift Managers and Supervisors. You'll also regularly liaise with Production, Maintenance, Warehouse teams and external drivers to help keep site operations running smoothly.

This role is primarily Monday to Friday on day shift. Flexibility to provide relief coverage on the site's rotating 12-hour day and night roster during planned leave and unplanned absence is required.

What you’ll be doing.

• Safely operate forklifts throughout the yard and warehouse, including larger-capacity forklifts and specialised attachments.
• Unload incoming deliveries, including packaging materials such as poly and cartons, and stage materials for production requirements.
• Receive, store, move and dispatch materials across the site while maintaining inventory accuracy.
• Use computer-based inventory systems to manage stock movements and related documentation.
• Communicate effectively with Production, Maintenance, Warehouse, Coldstore teams and external drivers to coordinate daily activities.
• Prioritise multiple operational requests while maintaining a strong focus on safety, efficiency and customer service.
• Conduct routine equipment inspections, complete safety checks and contribute to a safe working environment.
• Maintain housekeeping, cleanliness and Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) standards.
• Proactively escape issues and seek support when operational demands require additional assistance.
• Provide relief coverage for the Yard Operator role during planned leave and unplanned absence when required.

What you’ll need to be successful.

• Demonstrated experience operating forklifts safely and confidently in a warehousing, logistics, manufacturing or industrial environment.
• Current New Zealand Driver Licence and OSH Forklift Certificate.
• Strong communication skills and the ability to build effective working relationships across multiple teams and external stakeholders.
• Ability to work independently, take ownership of assigned responsibilities and make sound day-to-day decisions.
• Proven ability to prioritise competing tasks and remain calm in a fast-paced operational environment.
• Basic computer literacy and confidence using inventory, warehouse or business systems.
• Availability to work Monday to Friday on day shift, with flexibility to provide relief on the rotating 12-hour day and night roster when required.
• Current unrestricted working rights in New Zealand.
• Experience unloading trucks and staging production or packaging materials would be advantageous.
• Experience within a manufacturing, food production or FMCG environment would be beneficial.
• Experience using SAP, Warehouse Management Systems (WMS) or inventory management systems would be advantageous.
• Familiarity with Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) requirements would be beneficial.

Benefits of the role.

• An inclusive workplace where your growth and development are supported through hands-on learning and ongoing development opportunities.
• Competitive hourly rates and staff sales perks.
• Automatic Life and Total Permanent Disability Insurance coverage.
• Matched employer KiwiSaver contributions of up to 4%.

About McCain

Click Here to learn more about McCain and how we provide you with opportunities to make an impact that matters.

Leadership principles.

At McCain, our leadership principles guide how we engage with customers, collaborate as a team, and achieve success. We focus on understanding customer needs, driving innovation, empowering people, and taking ownership to clear obstacles and deliver results.

AI & Digital Capabilities

At McCain, AI and digital capabilities are part of how we work and innovate. We value curiosity toward emerging technologies and the thoughtful, responsible use of AI-enabled tools to improve outcomes as part of our future-ready culture.

The McCain experience.

We are McCain. This statement is a testament to our collective strength and our individual value. Your contributions play a vital role in our success. Our winning culture is rooted in authenticity and trust, empowering us to bring out the best in one another. Here, you’ll find opportunities to learn, grow, and thrive. Join us and experience why we’re better together.

#LI-IT1, #LI-Onsite

*We've got this covered! No external agency support required and unsolicited CVs will not be considered.

McCain Foods is an equal opportunity employer. As a global family-owned company, we strive to be the employer of choice in the diverse communities around the world in which we live and work. We recognize that inclusion drives our creativity, resilience, and success and makes our business stronger. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, sex, age, veteran status, disability, or any other protected characteristic under applicable law.

McCain is an accessible employer. If you require an accommodation throughout the recruitment process (including alternate formats of materials or accessible meeting rooms), please let us know and we will work with you to find appropriate solutions.

Your privacy is important to us. By submitting personal data or information to us, you agree this will be handled in accordance with McCain’s Global Privacy Policy and Global Employee Privacy Policy, as applicable. McCain leverages AI in the hiring process, though all final decisions are made by humans. You can understand our approach to AI and how your personal information is being handled here.

Job Family: Supply Chain & Logistics

Location(s): NZ - New Zealand : Canterbury : Timaru

Company: McCain Foods (NZ) Limited