Job Details
Category: Horticulture
Location: Gisborne
Rural Directions
Farm Operations Manager | LeaderBrand
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Leading food producer shaping the future for vegetable production in NZ.
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Located on the doorstep of town, in a thriving community and outdoor recreation.
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Attractive remuneration including vehicle, incentives and career opportunities.
WHERE
LeaderBrand is one of New Zealand’s most recognised and diverse horticultural businesses. Built on a pioneering spirit of innovation and dedication, LeaderBrand is now a second generation, 100% family-owned and operated vertically integrated farming business. Over the last fifty years LeaderBrand has grown into New Zealand’s leading producer and supplier of the highest quality range of fresh vegetables.
LeaderBrand is one of New Zealand’s most recognised and diverse horticultural businesses. Built on a pioneering spirit of innovation and dedication, LeaderBrand is now a second generation, 100% family-owned and operated vertically integrated farming business. Over the last fifty years LeaderBrand has grown into New Zealand’s leading producer and supplier of the highest quality range of fresh vegetables.
As a fully integrated business LeaderBrand grow, harvest, process and distribute their produce daily to meet customers’ needs and ensure strict quality control standards. They have farms in Gisborne, Pukekohe and Ashburton, growing over 2,500ha of wholesome fresh produce each year for domestic and international customers.
LeaderBrand’s mission of “Growing for a Healthy Future” is backed by strong company values and setting the standard for sustainable farm practices, innovation, healthy communities and for ensuring that Kiwi families have healthy food that tastes great. LeaderBrand are constantly looking for new ways to improve and do business, from investing in new technology to sustainable farming practices, food trends and to giving back to their local communities.
For more information on LeaderBrand please follow this link to their website - https://www.leaderbrand.co.nz/
WHAT
Reporting through to the General Manager – Farming, this newly established Farm Operations Manager role will be directly responsible for management and execution of crop support functions for all crops grown on LeaderBrand’s Gisborne farm base, covering over 1,500ha. Including the integrated support of this supply through all stakeholders, the position is responsible for a team overseeing operations such as the Nursery, Cultivation, Development, Planting and Irrigation business units. These support operations are essential to the Crop Production Team who you will work with daily on outcomes and deliverables to plan.
Reporting through to the General Manager – Farming, this newly established Farm Operations Manager role will be directly responsible for management and execution of crop support functions for all crops grown on LeaderBrand’s Gisborne farm base, covering over 1,500ha. Including the integrated support of this supply through all stakeholders, the position is responsible for a team overseeing operations such as the Nursery, Cultivation, Development, Planting and Irrigation business units. These support operations are essential to the Crop Production Team who you will work with daily on outcomes and deliverables to plan.
The role will hold a crucial responsibility within this vertically integrated business, requiring innovative solutions and collaboration with the ultimate outcome of product delivery in full, on time and in spec for the internal sales, processing or packhouse teams to support their customers.
Operating in a large scale and dynamic environment with many stakeholders, the Farm Operations Manager requires an individual who has strong relationship skills and who has hands-on experience either on-farm or in a comparable industry, where aligned capabilities can be transferred and applied to LeaderBrand’s business. LeaderBrand is
continuously evolving, and this role will play an integral part in driving the change management processes as the business strives to meet future aspirations in an ever-changing environment.
continuously evolving, and this role will play an integral part in driving the change management processes as the business strives to meet future aspirations in an ever-changing environment.
Actively steering the 50+ strong team of people who work on site, this role will manage and drive the team’s accountability and KPI’s. Project management skills are beneficial to this role as is a strategic mindset. Attention to detail and developing accountability to best-in-class outcomes will be crucial. Team culture, development and the creation of a continuous improvement environment will also be important deliverables.
WHO
LeaderBrand seeks a Farm Operations Manager who has transferrable skills from a similar role in a large-scale production or project management environment and who has a genuine interest in growing the highest quality vegetables.
LeaderBrand seeks a Farm Operations Manager who has transferrable skills from a similar role in a large-scale production or project management environment and who has a genuine interest in growing the highest quality vegetables.
Key to success in this role:
- Minimum of five years’ experience as a grower, horticulture sector professional or operations with a blend of management experience.
- Strong knowledge of Agronomy practices.
- Strong operational skills.
- Farming or commercial sector background with proven leadership skills.
- Capable of providing input into the Strategic and Business Plans and executing them with expected results.
- Compliance and business risk knowledge (land/lease management, legal/regulated requirements, GAP...).
- Budgeting and variance reporting capability in conjunction with the finance team.
- Ability to work collaboratively, strong stakeholder relationship skills and manage a team of 50+ staff.
- Technology minded and proficiency with Microsoft Excel and planning software.
- Bring a good knowledge of Health and Safety.
WHY
- A leading food producer and a role with the opportunity to shape the future and set the standard of vegetable production in NZ.
- LeaderBrand value their employees and offer a supportive, friendly, and secure work environment.
- Attractive remuneration package – salary, performance incentive, 4x4 Hilux vehicle and other tools required.
- Generous company-wide recognitions including birthday leave, long service entitlements and 24/7 access to fresh produce in the staff fridge.
- Assistance with relocation costs for the successful applicant, if applicable.
- Training, support, exposure and plenty of growth internally within LeaderBrand and externally in the wider industry – grow your career from this incredible network.
- A commercial business founded on strong family values, awesome teammates and a positive team culture.
- A continuous improvement culture, from investing in new technology to sustainable farming practices, food trends to giving back to their local communities.
- For the right people LeaderBrand are open to creative ways to engage, grow and incentivise them.
- Role and the central farming base located right on the fringes of town.
- Join the flow of people heading to Gisborne for the great work opportunities and lifestyle on offer.
TO APPLY OR VIEW THE JOB INFORMATION FORM PLEASE VISIT: WWW.RURALDIRECTIONS.CO.NZ/JOBS
Applications will be reviewed as they are received. Apply now!
Applications will be reviewed as they are received. Apply now!
Only job seekers who have NZ working rights will be eligible for this role.
Date Posted: 2025-07-17
