Onion Packhouse Operations Manager
We are on the lookout for an exceptional candidate to manage our Onion Packhouse Operations.
Apatu Farms is a leading Hawke’s Bay family-owned Agribusiness focused on growing quality produce for prominent local and global customers. Operations span across Vegetable, Pipfruit, Viticulture, Dairy, Export and Transport activities.
Our onion packing operation is a significant operator in the NZ export onion industry and we are on the lookout for an exceptional candidate to manage our Onion Packhouse Operations including the supervision and co-ordination of the grading, packing (including forklift drivers within the packhouse) and phytosanitary quality control staff teams (up to 40 seasonal staff and 3 permanent staff).
About the role:
This is a hands-on leadership position where success will come from your ability to combine operational excellence with strong people leadership.
Key Responsibilities:
• Building and leading a high-performing packhouse team, fostering accountability, capability, and a culture of continuous improvement
• Overseeing grading and packing operations to meet export and domestic market requirements, requiring sound judgement and decisive decision-making
• Ensuring compliance with regulatory and commercial programmes, including:
o NZ MPI Technical Standard Phytosanitary Inspection (TSPI)
o Customs Security requirements
o GlobalG.A.P and other quality standards
• Managing packhouse machinery, systems, and the annual maintenance programme — ensuring reliability and efficiency across operations
• Leading and embedding strong quality systems, processes, and operational procedures
• Driving productivity improvements while maintaining quality standards and cost control
About you:
• Demonstrated ability to recruit, lead, and develop high-performing teams, particularly in seasonal or production environments
• Strong people leadership skills, with the ability to communicate effectively across a diverse workforce
• A proactive, hands-on approach with the energy to keep pace with production demands
• Deep understanding of quality control processes and the ability to respond quickly to product variability
• Knowledge of grading and processing seasonal export crops (onions or similar preferred)
• A continuous improvement mindset, with a focus on increasing efficiency and reducing costs
• Mechanical aptitude and confidence working with packhouse machinery
• Strong numeracy and problem-solving capability
Applicants also must have NZ Citizenship / Residency or a valid NZ Work Visa.
For a confidential chat about this role send us an email at jobs@apatugroup.com or reach out to our HR Manager.
Apatu Farms
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