Production Manager - Northland Blueberries

About the role

This is a newly created, hands-on leadership role at the centre of a fast-paced operation. You'll be responsible for keeping harvest and pruning work moving safely, efficiently, and at pace, often while balancing multiple priorities at once and making quick decisions on the go. You'll use data and simple tech tools to plan workflow, allocate labour, and keep efficiencies front of mind. This is a role for someone who can stay across moving parts, adjust quickly when priorities shift, and keep the day running to plan. A big part of your week will be leading harvest and pruning operations, setting daily plans, allocating labour, managing rosters and timesheets, and making sure high volumes of workers are in the right place at the right time with what they need to deliver. You'll be constantly balancing workflow, staff needs, and changing conditions while maintaining productivity, quality, and safety. You'll be highly visible in the operation, moving between the tunnels and the daily plan, checking progress, solving problems early, and keeping people focused on what matters most. This role suits someone who enjoys momentum, stays calm under pressure, and knows how to keep a large workforce organised and productive. Reporting to the Berry Manager, you'll be part of a team that works closely together. While horticulture experience is valuable, we're also keen to hear from people who have successfully led busy operations in other sectors where coordinating large teams, managing schedules, and delivering through peak periods is the norm. You'll lead from the front during busy periods, communicating clearly, setting direction, and holding high standards. Safety is a priority, and so is making sure the operation runs efficiently, people know what's expected, and the work keeps moving. You'll have real influence over daily output and seasonal performance, with the chance to shape how work gets done, build capability in your crews, and make a visible impact in a high-tempo production environment. Pāmu Landcorp Farming Limited is a State-Owned Enterprise with over 110 farms across New Zealand. Our purpose is to lead the delivery of innovative and sustainable agriculture and horticulture solutions for future generations. Pāmu's Northland Blueberries 12-hectare tunnel operation sits alongside our 70-hectare avocado orchard in Kerikeri, right in the heart of the Far North. It's a key part of Pāmu's growing horticulture business, producing both avocados and berries in a region known for its sunshine, mild climate, and strong growing conditions. LIVE IN KERIKERI This role is based in Kerikeri, living in Kerikeri means enjoying a relaxed lifestyle with beautiful beaches, bush walks, and swimming spots close by. The town has great cafés, markets, and a friendly community feel, making it an easy place to settle in and build a life. It's the kind of place where you can finish work and be at the beach, on a trail, or at a local eatery within minutes - a perfect mix of work, nature, and balance. ABOUT YOU You'll be a strong fit for this role if you're an experienced operations leader who thrives in a fast-moving environment and knows how to keep people, workflow, and priorities aligned. You may come from horticulture, but just as easily from another labour-intensive setting where you've managed large teams, coordinated daily schedules, and delivered through busy periods. Experience leading a transient, seasonal, or casual workforce would be especially valuable. You'll enjoy this role if you like: Running busy operations where plans can change quickly and you need to respond fast Leading large teams across shifting daily priorities Juggling rosters, labour allocation, timesheets, and workflow without losing sight of efficiency Making sure staff are clear on expectations, trained well, and set up to perform Staying visible in the operation and stepping in early to solve issues Using data and simple tech tools to support decisions and improve output Working with seasonal, casual, or transient workforces and keeping standards high This is a role for someone who likes being on the go. At times you'll be in the tunnels directing crews and checking progress; at other times you'll be reworking plans, confirming labour coverage, and coordinating the next steps so the operation keeps moving. You'll bring structure, urgency, and clear communication to the day, helping keep the site safe, compliant, and well organised while making sure work is completed efficiently and to standard.