Orchard Supervisor

**Position Overview**

**Role**:Orchard Supervisor

**Employment Type**:Full-Time (Permanent)

**Wages**:$24.00 per hour

**Minimum hours per week**:30

**Location**:Bay of Plenty Region

The **Orchard Supervisor** is responsible for overseeing day-to-day orchard operations, ensuring that all tasks related to orchard maintenance, harvesting, pest control, irrigation, and workforce management are executed efficiently. The role involves supervising field teams, ensuring compliance with safety and quality standards, and directly supporting the **Orchard Manager** in meeting production goals. The Orchard Supervisor ensures that orchard workers and subcontractors perform their duties effectively while maintaining a high standard of productivity and quality.

This role reports to the **Orchard Manager** and supervises **Orchard Workers, Machinery Operators, and Subcontractors**.

**Key Responsibilities**

**1. Orchard Operations & Task Execution**
- Oversee **daily orchard activities**, including pruning, thinning, irrigation, pest control, and harvesting.
- Ensure that **seasonal tasks** are completed according to schedule.
- Work closely with the **Orchard Manager** to implement orchard management plans.
- Coordinate field activities based on **crop growth cycles and weather conditions**.
- Supervise **trellis repairs, vine training, and other orchard infrastructure maintenance tasks**.

**2. Workforce Management & Supervision**
- Supervise and **allocate work** to Orchard Workers, Subcontractors, and Seasonal Staff.
- Ensure that **workers meet productivity and quality benchmarks**.
- Conduct **daily team briefings** and assign roles to employees and subcontractors.
- Monitor **attendance, work performance, and adherence to work schedules**.
- Provide **on-the-job training** to orchard workers as required.

**3. Pest & Disease Control**
- Ensure that **pest control measures** are implemented as per the Orchard Manager’s instructions.
- Work closely with the **Pest & Disease Control Specialist** to monitor crop health.

**4. Irrigation & Water Management**
- Work with the **Irrigation Technician** to ensure proper watering schedules.
- Identify any **issues with irrigation systems** and report them to the Orchard Manager.

**5. Quality Control & Compliance**
- Ensure that all activities comply with **Zespri Global GAP standards**.
- Work with the **Quality Control Inspector** to ensure fruit meets export quality standards.
- Conduct **random inspections of orchard tasks** to maintain quality assurance.

**6. Health & Safety Compliance**
- Enforce all **WorkSafe New Zealand** health and safety regulations in the orchard.
- Conduct **safety briefings** and ensure all staff wear **Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)**.
- Work with the **Compliance & Safety Officer** to investigate any safety incidents.
- Ensure proper use and maintenance of **machinery and equipment**.

**7. Machinery & Equipment Supervision**
- Work closely with **Machinery Operators** to ensure efficient and safe use of orchard equipment.
- Report **any maintenance or repair requirements** to the Orchard Manager.
- Ensure that workers are trained in the proper **handling of tools and machinery**.

**8. Harvest Coordination & Logistics**
- Oversee the **harvest process**, ensuring fruit is picked at optimal ripeness.
- Coordinate with the **logistics team and packhouses** to ensure efficient fruit transport.
- Ensure proper **handling, packing, and storage** of fruit to prevent damage.

**Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)**
- **Task Completion Rate** - Ensure all orchard tasks are completed **within set timeframes**.
- **Workforce Productivity** - Achieve **100% task efficiency** with mínimal downtime.
- **Fruit Quality** - Maintain **at least 95%** of fruit at export quality standards.
- **Compliance Rate** - Ensure **100% adherence** to Zespri Global GAP and WorkSafe NZ policies.
- **Worker Attendance & Punctuality** - Maintain at least **98% attendance rate** among orchard workers.
- **Irrigation Efficiency** - Ensure proper irrigation to avoid **under
- or over-watering**.
- **Pest & Disease Control Effectiveness** - Keep orchard pest levels below **industry threshold levels**.
- **Equipment Downtime** - Keep machinery and equipment downtime **below 2% per season**.
- **Safety Compliance** - Maintain **zero workplace incidents** per season.
- **Harvest Timeliness** - Ensure **100% completion of harvesting within the ideal timeframe**.

**Qualifications & Experience**
- **Diploma/Certificate** in Agriculture/Horticulture/Business, or a related field (preferred) OR a minimum **1 year supervisory/managerial experience** (preferably in agriculture/horticulture).
- Experience in **managing workers and subcontractors**.
- Excellent leadership and team management skills
- Excellent communication skills.

**Reporting Structure**
- **Reports to**: Orchard Manager
- **Supervises**:

- Orchard Workers
- Machinery Operators
- Subcontractors

Pay: $24.00