ORCHARD SUPERVISOR | Te Puke Region
Overview
★ 10–20 direct reports (Season dependent)
★ Permanent, Full-time
★ Horticulture (Kiwifruit)
We have two exciting opportunities for an experienced Orchard Supervisors to join the Thompson's Horticulture team in Te Puke. If you're a natural leader who thrives outdoors, takes pride in your team's output, and knows your way around a kiwifruit orchard — we'd love to hear from you.
About the role
Te Puke is one of New Zealand's premier kiwifruit growing regions. This is a permanent, full-time position working across local orchards, reporting to the Orchard Manager. Position available for immediate start.
What you'll be doing
- Leading and coordinating your crew through all stages of the kiwifruit season — winter pruning through to harvest
- Monitoring productivity (bays/hr, bins/hr, bud numbers/m²) against seasonal benchmarks
- Building and retaining a motivated crew, with a focus on quality, consistency, and low staff turnover
- Overseeing health and safety — toolbox meetings, safe work practices, and prompt incident reporting
- Maintaining accurate payroll and crew records through AgriSmart on a daily basis
- Liaising with the Orchard Manager to continuously improve orchard practices and uphold THL standards
What we're looking for
- 1+ years orchard supervisory experience, or a horticulture qualification
- Proven ability to lead and motivate a team
- Clean driver's licence
- Strong communication skills — with crew and management alike
- Genuine passion for working outdoors year-round
- Excellent time management and ability to self-direct
- Professional and ethical approach to the role
- Energy and patience to work with a diverse team
Why Thompson's
Thompson's Horticulture Ltd is a well-established operation with strong relationships across the Kiwifruit network and a reputation for quality. You'll have real responsibility from day one — your crew, your targets. We back people who take pride in their work and want to grow their knowledge of the industry alongside us. With two roles on offer, this is a great opportunity to join a team that's growing in Gisborne.