Field Operations Manager - Berry Farm

Field Operations Manager – Berry Farm

Location: Kumeū, Auckland
Employment Type: Full-time, Permanent

About Best Berries

Best Berries is one of New Zealand's leading berry growers, based in Kumeū, Auckland. We are passionate about producing premium-quality berries through innovative, sustainable farming practices and continue to invest in our people, production systems and future growth.

As our business continues to expand, we're looking for an experienced Field Operations Manager to take ownership of our day-to-day field operations and lead our production teams.

This is one of the most important operational leadership roles within our business, responsible for ensuring our crops are maintained and harvested to the highest standards while delivering strong team performance, productivity and quality.

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About the Role

This is a hands-on leadership role for an experienced field manager who enjoys leading from the front.

Working closely with the Director, you'll be responsible for planning, coordinating and supervising all daily field operations. You'll manage large seasonal picking and field teams, organise daily and weekly work programs, and ensure work is completed safely, efficiently and to the highest standard.

This is not an office-based management role. You'll spend the majority of your time in the field supporting your team, solving problems, monitoring crop progress and ensuring operations run smoothly.

You'll play a critical role in translating crop programs into practical daily work plans while ensuring labour, equipment and resources are effectively coordinated to meet changing crop and harvest demands.

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Key Responsibilities

Field Operations

• Lead and manage all day-to-day field operations.
• Develop and implement daily and weekly work plans.
• Coordinate labour requirements across multiple field teams.
• Manage daily harvesting, picking and crop maintenance activities.
• Ensure crops are maintained, harvested and handled to the highest quality standards.

Team Leadership

• Lead, supervise and motivate seasonal and permanent field staff.
• Allocate daily tasks and ensure work is completed efficiently.
• Train, mentor and develop team leaders and field staff.
• Monitor productivity and provide regular feedback to team members.
• Foster a positive, respectful and high-performing team culture.

Operational Management

• Work closely with the Director to implement crop management programs.
• Coordinate field operations with the Packhouse to ensure efficient harvest flow.
• Manage equipment, machinery and field resources.
• Monitor labour productivity and identify opportunities to improve efficiency.
• Assist with planning labour requirements throughout the season.
• Ensure high standards of cleanliness, organisation and presentation across the farm.

Health & Safety

• Promote and lead a strong health and safety culture.
• Ensure all work is carried out safely and in accordance with company procedures.
• Identify and manage operational risks and hazards.
• Ensure staff receive appropriate training and supervision.

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About You

You'll ideally bring:

• Proven experience managing field operations within horticulture, agriculture or a similar production environment .
• Strong leadership experience managing large seasonal or production teams.
• Excellent organisational and planning skills with the ability to coordinate multiple priorities.
• Experience preparing daily and weekly work programs
• A practical, hands-on leadership style and willingness to work alongside your team.
• Excellent communication and people management skills.
• Strong problem-solving ability and sound operational judgement.
• A continuous improvement mindset with a focus on productivity, quality and efficiency.
• Experience operating tractors and farm machinery is advantageous.
• A current New Zealand Driver Licence.

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The Opportunity

This is an outstanding opportunity to join one of New Zealand's leading berry growers in a senior operational leadership role.

You'll play a key part in delivering premium-quality crops while leading large field teams and helping drive the continued growth and success of our business.

As our operation continues to expand, this role offers genuine opportunities to contribute to future improvements, develop your leadership capability and build a long-term career within a progressive and growing horticultural business.