VACANCIES
Work with us
Why work for us?
We understand that in order for us to provide our growers with the best possible service, we need to first look after our own people. That’s why we aim to provide our staff with the best possible experience – whether they join us permanently, or just for the main packing season. If you’re interested in joining the Punchbowl team on a permanent or seasonal basis, check out our current vacancies and hit the “Apply Now” button above
NB: We are backpacker friendly. Working for us is a great way to get a taste of New Zealand’s horticulture sector.
We offer:
- Seasonal and permanent job opportunities
- Free on-site parking
- Medical health insurance and a wellness scheme
- Little/no traffic woes (rural location)
- A wonderful community to be part of (Franklin)
- A collaborative team environment
Current Vacancies
SEASONAL POSITIONS
Work for a company that really cares about its people! We have loads of opportunities for seasonal work.
Our employees get a fair wage. You can expect rates from $23.86 per hour including holiday pay.
To apply, you’ll need to have the following:
- Proof of eligibility to work in NZ (Passport, Work Visa)
- IRD number
- Bank account number
Keep an eye on our page for seasonal vacancies- they update frequently!
Kiwifruit Packing: Our season starts around March and finishes around June. We have 3 shifts available.
Winter Pruning – Kiwifruit: Starts late June for aprpox. 12 weeks
Blueberry picking and packing: October to December and January to April each year.
Kiwifruit Packhouse
(Key Roles)
We’re looking for people to get involved with our Kiwifruit Packing season starting in March. We have lots of jobs available and the choice of three shifts.
If you are reliable, have your own transport and enjoy a busy team environment then apply now!
Choose from our morning, afternoon, or night shifts.
There is work from March through until the end of June. We work a rolling roster with 5 days on and 1 day off, including weekend work, with 4 x 8-hour shifts and 2 x 12-hour shifts.
We are looking for people to fill a number of fixed term contract key roles, including:
Tray Maker (all shifts)
You will be: Operating the Traymaking and Niverplast machines to produce boxes and trays feeding direct to the production line. Full training will be given in this role. You will be strong, fit, and able to work at pace.
EDI (Afternoon shift)
You will be: Checking we have the correct clearance to pack our fruit; Entering data including grower details, fruit variety etc into the system; Making sure produce pallet cards etc are visual before transferring to the Coolstore; Ensuring full traceability of fruit is maintained using batch control systems. You will have an eye for detail and good computer skills
Strapping Operator (Night, Afternoon Shift)
You will be: Operating both the automatic strapping machine and manual strapping equipment; Ensuring pallets are strapped to standards. You will be able to troubleshoot, work under pressure and be physically fit.
Fruit Label Operator (Morning, Afternoon Shift)
You will be: Operating the Fruit Label Machinery to ensure correct variety and label type applied; Ensuring correct stock; Recording accurate and traceable data; Changing thread label reels. You will be able to troubleshoot, work under pressure and have good time management skills.
Weights & Counts (all shifts)
You will be: Checking fruit counts and weights to ensure product specifications are met; Recording and reporting information. You will have an eye for detail and be able to work accurately.
Cleaner (Afternoon, Night Shifts)
You will be: Taking and recording worker’s temps as they arrive at work, keeping the staff areas of our Packhouse clean and tidy; making sure there is tea, coffee, and fresh water available for tea breaks; heating staff meals for lunch breaks. You will be friendly and able to relate to all people as well as motivated to achieve a clean and tidy workplace.
Senior Online Tray Prep (Morning shift)
You will be: Ensuring correct distribution of labour throughout the tray prep line; Maintaining H&S and food safety standards; Making sure product traceability is maintained; Ensuring stock is available for shifts. You will have experience in leading a small team, be able to trouble shoot and have a positive and energetic matter.
You will be:
· Physically fit and able to work on your feet
· A good communicator and able to speak and understand English
· Trainable and able to learn and follow instructions
· Reliable and punctual, with your own transport
· Legally able to work in NZ or hold an appropriate work visa
· Contactable by mobile phone
**HOW DO I APPLY**
Please apply via our website using the following link https://www.punchbowl.co.nz/new-applicants/ and make sure you attach your ID.
If you have a CV it’s really helpful to include this
Kiwifruit Packhouse
(General Roles)
Are you looking for work from March until approximately June? Are you physically fit and enjoy working in a busy environment? Then join our kiwifruit Packhouse team for the 2022 season.
We’re looking for people to work as:
· Packers – Final placement of fruit, wrapping and lidding of tray/box
· Graders – Carefully checking fruit to ensure it meets the required standards
· Stackers – Ensuring each box is labelled and placed on pallet. Requires a good level of fitness
· Tray preparation – Getting the kiwifruit trays ready and feeding them onto the packing lines
You’ll get full training in any role you take on.
Choose from one of three shifts (Morning, Afternoon or Night).
The shift pattern is:
| Shift | 4 x 8hour | 1 x late finish 12hour | 1 x early start 12hour |
| Morning | 6am – 2pm | 6am – 6pm | 2am – 2pm |
| Afternoon | 2pm – 10pm | 2pm – 2am | 10am – 10pm |
| Night | 10pm – 6am | 10pm – 10am | 6pm – 6am |
You need to be:
- Able to speak and understand English
- Able to learn and follow instructions
- Reliable and punctual, with your own transport
- Contactable on mobile phone
- Physically fit and able to work on your feet
- Legally able to work in NZ or hold an appropriate work visa
Please apply via our website using the following link https://www.punchbowl.co.nz/new-applicants/
Keep up to date with all that’s happening with Punchbowl
Welcome backpackers
Punchbowl is a backpacker-friendly site and welcomes travellers from all over the world to come and experience life working in New Zealand’s Kiwifruit industry. We can provide a diverse range of packhouse and orchard-based positions for our backpackers to provide full exposure to them during their stay with us. We offer limited worker accommodation, which includes private or shared rooms, communal kitchen facilities, a common room with TV, Wifi access, laundry and bathroom facilities.