Packhouse Manager

About the role

T&G Global is seeking a strong operational leader to take on a newly created Packhouse Manager position at its Whakatu site in Hastings, Hawke’s Bay. This is a high-impact leadership opportunity within a globally connected horticulture business, where site performance influences customers and consumers in more than 55 countries.

The Whakatu site forms an important part of T&G’s end-to-end apples operation, linking orchard activity, packhouse processing, coolstore operations and export markets through one integrated system focused on delivering premium fruit worldwide.

As demand for premium branded apples keeps increasing, this role has been established to strengthen leadership capability on site, improve performance, deepen leadership bench strength and support the next stage of transformation and operational excellence.

This is far more than a production management role. You will be guiding a large-scale operation that contributes directly to the success of one of New Zealand’s best-known premium export brands.

What you’ll do

• Oversee packhouse operations across all shifts through Team Leaders.
• Create a strong day-to-day operating rhythm with clear accountability and high performance.
• Lead work practices that are safe, efficient and focused on results.
• Coach and develop Team Leaders and potential future site leaders.
• Lift throughput, efficiency, packout and cost outcomes.
• Champion continuous improvement and operational optimisation initiatives.
• Strengthen working relationships across the wider operations network.
• Help deliver strategic change while keeping day-to-day execution stable and effective.
• Build the operational base needed to support future growth.

What you’ll bring

• Demonstrated experience leading large operational or production teams.
• Strong capability in both operational leadership and people leadership.
• Background in manufacturing, food processing, packhouse operations or a similar environment.
• A practical continuous improvement approach and the ability to lead change.
• Well-developed communication and relationship-building skills.
• The ability to combine hands-on delivery with longer-term strategic thinking.
• High expectations around safety, quality and performance.
• Confidence working through growth, complexity and change.

Why join T&G

T&G is a business with substantial scale, momentum and ambition, operating in more than 60 countries with over 2,000 people globally. Its portfolio includes premium produce and well-known brands such as ENVY™ and JAZZ™ apples.

ENVY™ apples recently became the first apple brand from Aotearoa New Zealand to exceed NZD $1 billion in global retail sales, reflecting long-term investment in world-class growing, post-harvest capability, innovation and export excellence.

The business continues to invest strongly in the future of its apples operation, including post-harvest capability and automation in Hawke’s Bay. This role offers the chance to make a real difference by improving performance, leading people and shaping the future capability of a major export operation.

T&G ways of working

• Be Bold: challenge the status quo, improve things and help shape what comes next.
• Do the Mahi: take ownership and deliver with discipline.
• One Team: work collaboratively and build strong relationships.
• Take Good Care: support others and contribute positively.

Important information

Applicants must be able to provide proof of eligibility to work in New Zealand. Any employment offer will be subject to satisfactory drug, credit, medical and security checks.

T&G is committed to a workplace where people are accepted, respected and celebrated for who they are. The company values diversity and inclusion and aims to create an environment where everyone can thrive.

The business was founded more than 125 years ago as Turners and Growers, a fruit auction company in Auckland. Today, T&G supplies fresh produce to people in more than 60 countries and continues to focus on growing healthier futures.

Additional information

This is a newly created leadership role with strong visibility, scale and opportunity to influence site performance and future growth.