Compost Trainee – Where Great Mushrooms Begin

About Meadow Mushrooms
Meadow Mushrooms is one of New Zealand’s great entrepreneurial stories. Founded in 1970, this family-owned business has grown into the country’s leading mushroom producer, delivering around 9 million mushrooms every week. Today, we’re recognised as a leader in fresh produce nationally and within the global mushroom industry.

At Meadow Mushrooms, our success is built on people who take pride in their work, value teamwork, and understand the importance of doing the basics well, every day. Our composter roles are hands-on, practical, and essential to ensuring we deliver consistent, high-quality fresh produce, every time.

The Opportunity

We’re looking for a practical, self-motivated person to join our compost production team in a hands-on operational role. If you’ve worked in dairy, agriculture, horticulture or any outdoor primary industry — and you enjoy physical work, machinery, and being out in the elements — this is a great career opportunity.

This role is all about helping to produce the high‑quality compost that forms the foundation of our mushroom‑growing success. Composting is a science‑driven process, and we’ll teach you everything you need to know. All we need from you is reliability, a positive attitude, and the curiosity to learn something new.

Key responsibilities include:

• Labouring duties and general outdoor tasks

• Operating mobile plant such as loaders, forklifts, and elevated work platforms (full training provided)

• Recording and checking temperatures, oxygen levels, and moisture using sensors and probes

• Working across all stages of compost production—from raw materials through to pasteurisation and quality checks

• Following set processes to ensure safety, consistency, and product quality

If you enjoy physically active work, early mornings, and operating machinery or farm equipment – you’ll feel right at home.

Full training will be provided in:

• The full compost production lifecycle

• Building an awareness of the broader Production and Growing process to understand the impact of compost quality

• Monitoring and interpreting environmental data

• Mobile plant operation – Forklifts, Loaders, Elevated Work Platforms

• Working at heights & confined space entry

• Chemical handling and safe operating procedures

• Developing leadership capability over time (if that’s your goal)

About You

This role is ideal for someone passionate about the primary industry sector, keen to build a long-term career as a Compost Specialist and / or leader, and motivated by continuous improvement. You are someone who takes pride in practical work and is curious and motivated by learning and continuous improvement. You enjoy being part of a collaborative team, working outdoors, and contributing to a process where quality and consistency matter.

Above all, you’re someone who wants to roll up their sleeves and be part of a team that contributes to growing great produce every day.

You might be someone who:

• Lives and breathes the primary sector and / or fresh produce,

• Bring experience in agriculture, horticulture, or other primary industry roles – preferred but not essential. What matters most is your attitude and willingness to learn

• Loves being hands-on and close to the operation

• Is curious, observant, and quick to spot opportunities

• A team player with ambition to grow and make an impact

• A strong willingness to learn and develop technical skills

• Enjoys being outdoors and working physically

• Interested about compost production and mushroom growing

• Loves attention to detail and problem-solving

• Brings a proactive, safety focused mindset

The Details

• Permanent, full-time salaried role

• Monday to Friday,

• Occasional weekend and public holiday work (penal rates apply)

• 7am start time

• Based near Dunsandel

• As an operator, this role requires working outdoors every day – rain, hail or shine!

Join a team who are

• Creators who lead the way

• Specialists that bring our best every day

• A Community that's in it together

Apply Now!

This is a great opportunity to learn and work in a precise and dynamic environment and be part of a company that champions the success of its people.

Apply now or contact Caitlin Bardell on 027 222 8817 for a confidential conversation.

You will be required to meet residency requirements by holding New Zealand Citizenship or a Resident Visa. This role would not suit someone looking for short term employment.

Short listed applicants will be required to undertake a pre-employment health assessment and drug test.