Manager - Production

About the Company Waimea Nurseries stands as one of New Zealand’s premier nurseries, dedicated to supplying high-quality fruit trees to orchardists and plants to garden retailers across the country. With ambitious aspirations and a clear vision, our goal is to become the leading supplier of nursery plants for New Zealand's food, beverage, and greenlife sectors. Our Custom Mix and Waimea Plant Propagation divisions are integral to 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-oriented leader to manage the daily operations of Custom Mix 2024 (CM24) and Waimea Plant Propagation (WPP). This role is hands-on and encompasses all facets of nursery operations, including the management and supervision of both permanent and seasonal staff. As the Operations Leader, you will play a crucial role in ensuring 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 a solid background in processing or production environments. You will work closely with our production leaders to achieve operational excellence. The ideal candidate will possess the following qualities: - A proven track record of building, motivating, and leading high-performing teams - Strong experience in process improvement with a results-focused mindset - A comprehensive understanding of business and operational management principles - Confidence in assessing systems and driving performance enhancements - An innate ability to connect with people at all levels of the organization - High proficiency with technology, data collection, and digital record-keeping systems - Strong problem-solving skills and a flexible approach to meet changing demands - Experience in horticulture or a production/manufacturing environment Benefits We offer a supportive team environment with long-standing staff members, a competitive salary, and ongoing training and development opportunities. As a dynamic, family-owned business with a strong team culture, we also provide a paid day off to celebrate your birthday each year, along with regular staff events and celebrations. Please note that we intend to conduct interviews while the advertisement is running, so we encourage you to apply promptly. Applicants for this position must hold New Zealand citizenship or a New Zealand permanent residency visa, as well as a full driver’s license.