Onion Packhouse Assistant Manager
Exciting opportunity for you to take a step up in your career or apply your existing knowledge and skills as Assistant Manager to our Packhouse Operations Manager.
Apatu Farms is a proud, family-owned agribusiness in Hawke’s Bay, dedicated to growing premium produce for leading local and global markets. Our Onion Packhouse is a key player in New Zealand’s export onion industry, and we’re looking for a Packhouse Supervisor to join our team.
About the role:
Reporting to the Packhouse Operations Manager, you’ll be responsible for coordinating production activities and annual machinery maintenance to ensure high-quality packed product. This includes overseeing grading, packing, phytosanitary quality control, and forklift operations.
You’ll lead a team, maintain compliance with food safety and quality standards, and ensure smooth operations throughout the packing season and beyond.
Key Responsibilities:
- Supervise daily packhouse operations, including grading and packing for export and local markets.
- Monitor quality standards and ensure compliance with phytosanitary requirements.
- Coordinate labour resources and mentor team members to achieve productivity and quality goals.
- Manage machinery setup, calibration, and maintenance schedules.
- Maintain accurate records for production, safety, and compliance.
- Foster a safe, positive, and high-performing team environment.
About you:
- 2+ years’ experience in a produce, FMCG, manufacturing or a similar industry
- or a similar industry.
- Proven leadership and supervisory experience.
- Strong problem-solving, communication, and time management skills.
- Intermediate computer skills (Word, Excel, web-based systems).
- Commitment to health and safety and ability to work flexible hours during peak season.
Desirable:
- Current OSH Certification or previous relevant forklift operation experience in a manufacturing/production environment.
- Knowledge of regulatory compliance Committed to a safe and healthy workplace, and able to pass a pre-employment drug test.
- Mechanical aptitude
Applicants also need to have NZ Citizenship / Residency or a valid NZ Work Visa.
Apatu Farms
At Apatu Farms, we value teamwork, integrity, and excellence. You’ll be part of a supportive team that takes pride in delivering quality produce to the world.
We Grow | Ka tipu tatou