Manager - Production

About the Company Waimea Nurseries is recognized as one of New Zealand’s leading nurseries, specializing in the supply of fruit trees to orchardists and a wide variety of plants to garden retailers across the country. With ambitious goals and a clear vision, we strive to be the top supplier of nursery plants to New Zealand’s food, beverage, and greenlife industries. Our Custom Mix and Waimea Plant Propagation divisions play a crucial role in this mission, providing potting mix to a diverse range of businesses and young plants to wholesale growers. About the Role We are seeking an experienced and people-focused leader to oversee the daily operations of Custom Mix 2024 (CM24) and Waimea Plant Propagation (WPP). This hands-on role involves a variety of responsibilities across all aspects of nursery operations, including the management and supervision of both permanent and seasonal staff. As the Operations Leader, you will be instrumental in maintaining a safe, efficient, and productive workplace while supporting our ongoing growth and innovation. About You We are looking for a collaborative and practical leader with strong experience in processing or production environments. You will work closely with our production leaders to achieve operational excellence. Key qualifications we are seeking include: - A proven ability to build, motivate, and lead high-performing teams - A strong background in process improvement with a results-driven mindset - A solid understanding of business and operational management principles - Confidence in evaluating systems and driving performance improvements - A natural ability to connect with people at all levels of the team - High competency with technology, data gathering, and digital record-keeping systems - Sharp problem-solving skills and a flexible approach to changing demands - Experience in horticulture or a production/manufacturing environment What We Offer We provide a supportive team environment with long-standing staff members and offer a competitive salary. Additionally, we prioritize ongoing training and development opportunities. As a dynamic family-owned business, we foster a strong team culture and celebrate our achievements together. Employees receive a paid day off to celebrate their birthday each year, along with regular staff events and celebrations. Please note that we plan to conduct interviews during the advertisement period, so we encourage you to apply promptly. Applicants for this position must hold New Zealand citizenship or a New Zealand permanent residency visa and possess a full driver’s license.