Produce Manager

AT A GLANCE

Location: Wairoa, Hawke's Bay, New Zealand

Role Type: Full-Time | Permanent

Reports To: Owner Operators, New World Wairoa

Salary Range: Competitive — commensurate with experience

Relocation: Relocation assistance available for the right candidate

Career Path: Structured development toward ownership opportunity

THE OPPORTUNITY

New World Wairoa is at the heart of the Wairoa community in northern Hawke's Bay. Owned and operated by a hands-on owner-operator team, we are deeply committed to our community, our people, and delivering a great fresh food experience every day.

We're looking for an experienced and passionate Produce Manager to take full ownership of our fresh produce department — someone who thrives on quality, presentation, and reducing waste while building strong supplier relationships.

This is a standout opportunity for an ambitious retail produce professional who is ready to step into a high-trust leadership role, make the role their own, and grow into something more. For the right person, this position offers a genuine and structured pathway toward ownership within the Foodstuffs cooperative.

WHY WAIROA?

Wairoa is a close-knit, authentic community located between the Mahia Peninsula and the Hawke's Bay wine country. If you're ready to trade the commute and cost of city living for a lifestyle that actually lets you live, Wairoa deserves a serious look:

• Affordable housing — your dollar goes significantly further here
• World-class outdoor lifestyle — fishing, hunting, surfing, hiking all on your doorstep
• Strong community — you'll know your customers by name and be a valued local identity
• Less congestion, less stress, more time for the things that matter
• A business that genuinely invests in the people who invest in it

We understand relocation is a big decision. We'll work with you to make it viable.

 

ABOUT THE ROLE

As Produce Manager, you will have full accountability for one of our highest-profile departments. Your day-to-day will include:

• Managing all aspects of the produce department: ordering, receiving, presentation, rotation, and markdown discipline
• Driving sales and margin performance through smart buying, waste management, and promotional execution
• Maintaining outstanding standards of freshness, hygiene, and visual merchandising
• Building and maintaining strong supplier and rep relationships
• Leading, rostering, and developing your produce team
• Ensuring compliance with food safety, health & safety, and Foodstuffs standards
• Contributing to store-wide performance discussions as part of the Department Manager team
• Working closely with owner-operators on strategy, seasonal planning, and range decisions

ABOUT YOU

 

You are an experienced produce professional who takes genuine pride in fresh food. You bring:

• Proven experience as a Produce Manager or senior produce team member in a supermarket or produce retail environment
• A strong understanding of produce buying, handling, quality, and seasonal range management
• Demonstrated ability to manage department financials including sales, margin, waste, and shrinkage
• Experience leading a team — rostering, performance conversations, training, and culture-building
• Passion for presentation and a high personal standard for department appearance
• Sound knowledge of food safety and produce-handling compliance
• A self-starter mindset — comfortable with autonomy and working closely with owner-operators
• Ambition — you want to keep growing, not stand still

YOUR DEVELOPMENT & OWNERSHIP PATHWAY

 

This isn't just a job — it's the beginning of something bigger if you want it to be.

New World Wairoa sits within the Foodstuffs cooperative — one of New Zealand's most successful grocery co-operatives and the pathway to independent supermarket ownership. Our owner-operators are personally committed to developing the right person through:

• Structured 1-on-1 development conversations from day one
• Active involvement in store strategy and business performance
• Exposure to the full operational and commercial breadth of running a supermarket
• Mentorship from experienced owner-operators who have walked the path themselves

If ownership of your own New World is a long-term goal, this role is a credible and supported step on that journey.

 

WHAT WE OFFER

• Competitive remuneration package commensurate with your experience
• Relocation assistance — we'll work with you to make the move practical
• A stable, community-anchored business
• Genuine autonomy — run your department like it's your own
• Supportive owner-operator leadership that is present, approachable, and invested in your success
• Staff benefits including staff discount
• A community where you'll be known, valued, and make a real difference

HOW TO APPLY

 

If this sounds like the move you've been thinking about, we'd love to hear from you. Applications are treated with complete confidentiality.

Please send your CV and a brief cover letter outlining your produce experience and what draws you to this opportunity to:

Crystal & Grant | Owner Operators, New World Wairoa

Email: crystal.plummer@nw.co.nz

Applications close: 20.6.26

We will be reviewing applications as they arrive.

We are an equal opportunity employer and welcome applicants from all backgrounds. New Zealand work eligibility is required.

 

 

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