Sample Collections Manager

As their Sample Collections Manager, you’ll oversee all aspects of the Collections department, ensuring seamless coordination between field teams, laboratory operations, and seasonal demands. You’ll lead a talented team to deliver accurate, on-time sample collections — maintaining quality, health and safety, and compliance standards across all workstreams.

This is a hands-on leadership role where no two days are the same — from managing pre-season planning and recruitment, to monitoring daily throughput during the main season, and driving post-harvest improvements.

In this role you will:

• Lead, coach, and motivate the Collections team to meet performance and quality targets
• Oversee seasonal recruitment, onboarding, and training of field staff
• Ensure operational readiness — from vehicles and equipment to rosters and reporting systems
• Act as the key contact for several sampling programmes, ensuring timely and accurate delivery
• Maintain strong communication with the Lab Operations Manager and support teams
• Champion a strong Health & Safety culture and continuous improvement mindset
• Contribute to ISO quality management, documentation control, and compliance audits
• Drive post-harvest reviews and help shape future workstreams across the business

You’ll thrive in this role if you’re a confident leader who enjoys bringing structure to fast-paced, seasonal environments. You can balance people leadership with operational detail, and you’re motivated by achieving results through teamwork and planning.

What we’re looking for:

• Proven experience leading and organising teams (kiwifruit industry experience an advantage)
• Strong computer literacy, especially in Excel and reporting systems
• Superb organisational skills with a high degree of resilience and flexibility
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• High attention to detail with a focus on data accuracy and safety
• Ability to stay calm and make sound decisions under pressure
• Flexibility to work extended hours or weekends during peak season
• Tertiary qualification in a relevant field (preferred).

Our client is passionate about growing excellence — in their people, their processes, and industry. You’ll be joining a supportive and collaborative team environment where initiative is encouraged, and your contribution directly impacts the success of New Zealand’s kiwifruit sector.
Apply now to join a trusted industry leader and play a key role in shaping the success of their Collections team.