Production Coordinator - Te Puna

About DMS Progrowers Ltd

DMS is a locally owned orchard management and post-harvest company in the Bay of Plenty. Known for its cutting-edge packhouses in Te Puna and Te Puke, the company ranks among the top performers in kiwifruit, avocado packing, and coolstore management. DMS values collaboration, professionalism, passion, and a strong focus on customer satisfaction and employee wellbeing.

Role Overview

The Production Coordinator at Te Puna reports to the Packhouse Manager and plays a pivotal role in managing daily packing operations. This hands-on position involves supervising production teams, supporting supervisors, managing priorities, and ensuring that the correct resources and information are available to maintain smooth and efficient production.

The role spans across kiwifruit, repack, and avocado seasons, offering a dynamic environment that requires adaptability, problem-solving, and teamwork.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage daily packing operations aligned with production and packing plans.
• Organize grower lines and packing specifications to ensure accurate packaging.
• Collaborate with fellow coordinators to set up graders, systems, and ensure smooth shift transitions.
• Track packing line efficiency, throughput, quality, and costs; react promptly to any issues affecting production or product quality.
• Supervise and allocate staff shifts to match production needs effectively.
• Support and direct Production Supervisors and operational personnel.
• Ensure timely and accurate completion of packing reports and shift documentation.
• Work closely with multiple departments including Site Management, Coolstore, Quality, EDI, Inventory, and Systems to solve operational challenges.
• Oversee repack operations to meet production priorities and shipping deadlines.
• Support avocado packing by ensuring compliance with AIC quality requirements.
• Implement and encourage LEAN and Kanban methodologies for efficient workflows.
• Cultivate positive relationships across shifts, teams, and management.
• Communicate effectively with growers on-site, providing updates about their crops.
• Maintain high standards of health, safety, quality, and regulatory compliance.
• Ensure adherence to guidelines from DMS, BRC, Zespri, AsureQuality, and BioGro as applicable.
• Assist in seasonal planning, including site preparation, work orders, and maintenance to ensure production readiness.
• Engage in company projects, problem-solving, and continuous improvement initiatives alongside management.

Candidate Profile

Ideal candidates demonstrate leadership in operational settings and can maintain composure and organization during busy periods. Key qualifications and traits include:

• Proven supervisory or leadership experience.
• Background in production or operational roles.
• Capability to coordinate personnel, resources, and competing priorities effectively.
• Strong organizational, prioritization, and time management abilities.
• Excellent communication skills and a collaborative mindset.
• Confidence in decision-making, problem-solving, and escalating when necessary.
• Competence in using computer systems and quickly adapting to operational software.
• A positive, proactive, and solution-oriented approach.
• Commitment to health, safety, and quality standards.
• Flexibility in working hours, especially during peak seasons.
• Genuine interest in developing and supporting team members.
• Willingness to learn and embrace continuous improvement.

Advantageous but not required:

• Experience with kiwifruit and/or avocado industries.
• Background in packhouse, food production, or high-volume operational settings.
• Familiarity with production, inventory, quality, or reporting technologies.
• Knowledge of food safety standards such as Zespri, AsureQuality, BRC.
• Understanding of LEAN, Kanban, or other continuous improvement methodologies.

Why Join DMS?

• Opportunity to impact production efficiency directly.
• Varied work across different crop seasons.
• Supportive and collaborative team culture.
• Chance to enhance leadership skills.
• Work for a locally owned and respected business.
• Competitive pay with benefits including health insurance and bonuses.