For over 125 years, T&G Fresh has nourished generations of Kiwis with fresh fruit and vegetables. We grow, pack, market, sell, distribute, import, and export fresh produce from our own orchards and farms, as well as from over 700 Kiwi growers.
We’re looking for an experienced and driven horticultural leader to step into a key leadership role at Hinton’s Orchard. Based in Alexandra and spanning 159 hectares, Hinton’s is one of New Zealand’s largest stonefruit orchard — a fifth-generation family business renowned for producing premium cherries, apricots, nectarines, peaches, plums, and peacharines for consumers in New Zealand and across Asia.
The Opportunity:
As General Manager Hinton’s, you’ll bring together all facets of this vertically integrated business — growing, packing, and selling — to deliver world-class fruit to domestic and export markets.
While this is a senior role, like all great NZ growing businesses, we’re seeking a sleeves-rolled-up person, who thrives in the fast pace of seasonal operations, leads from the front, and knows the industry inside out. You’ll work across multiple blocks in stunning Central Otago, guiding a committed team and working collaboratively with key stakeholders.
Key responsibilities include:
- Drive strategy and execution across growing, post-harvest, packhouse, and sales to meet seasonal plans and long-term goals.
- Oversee the orchard, packhouse operations, sales, and administrative functions to ensure quality, efficiency, and cost-effective delivery from tree to customer.
- Manage key commercial relationships, including with Woolworths NZ, export partners, and other stakeholders.
- Lead a large seasonal workforce and foster a strong team culture with a focus on health and safety.
- Own the orchard’s P&L, working with the finance team to manage budgets, identify efficiencies, and support sustainable growth.
- Drive continuous improvement across operations — from varietal decisions and orchard development to post-harvest handling and customer delivery.
About You
You’ll bring solid experience managing commercial orchards, with stonefruit experience strongly preferred. You’ll also confidently demonstrate:
- Strong leadership with a collaborative, hands-on approach — you lead by example.
- Familiarity with domestic sales operations, including logistics, customer relationships, and market dynamics.
- Commercial acumen and experience managing cost centres, budgets, and capital investments.
- Strong networks in the horticulture sector and a deep understanding of the region’s seasonal rhythm.
- Resilience, adaptability, and a continuous improvement mindset.
- Experience leading seasonal workforces, including RSE workers.
In Return
This is a rare opportunity to take a key leadership role at one of NZ’s largest stonefruit orchards — a mature, well-established operation with strong systems, long-term customers, and a reputation for quality.
You’ll take on a varied, end-to-end leadership role where you can shape strategy and see it through to execution, from orchard to shelf. Backed by a high-performing, close-knit team, the Hinton family, and T&G Fresh, you’ll have the scope and support to make a genuine impact in an iconic Central Otago business.
It’s a dynamic and rewarding opportunity for a hands-on leader who wants to be in the heart of the action — not behind a desk — and run the orchard with the care and drive of a business owner.
Apply online
Proof of eligibility to work in New Zealand is required for all applicants and any offer of employment will be subject to a satisfactory drug test, credit check, driver licence check,and security check.
We want T&G to be a place where everyone is accepted, respected and celebrated for who they are – regardless of our similarities or differences. It’s essential that everyone can be themselves and thrive, and that together we create a diverse and vibrant workplace.
