Grower - Turn Your Love Of Growing Into A Career

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, growing isn’t just a job — it’s a craft, a mindset, and a responsibility. We’re looking for people who care about fresh produce, are curious by nature, and enjoy getting stuck in. Whether you’re an experienced grower looking for a new challenge, or someone early in your journey eager to learn, this is the right place to roll up your sleeves, contribute, and develop your skills.

The Opportunity

This is a hands-on Grower role focused on the operational execution and optimisation of mushroom production, with plenty of time spent working directly with the crop and seeing the impact of your decisions day to day. You’ll be directly involved in managing crop performance and work closely with the compost yard and the production team to ensure inputs, processes, and growing conditions are aligned across the full production cycle. The role requires close monitoring of crop development, environmental parameters, and production variables, with adjustments made based on observation, data, and standard operating procedures. You’ll be expected to contribute to continuous improvement initiatives, identify inefficiencies, and help drive yield, consistency, and product quality through disciplined, technical growing practices — knowing that small, well-judged changes can make a real difference.

Key responsibilities include:

• Learning the full mushroom growing cycle, start to finish

• Managing growing environments and responding to crop behaviour

• Observing the crop, identifying issues early, and taking practical action

• Using data and observation to optimise yield, quality, and maintain consistency

• Contributing to continuous improvement initiatives

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

Experience and Skills:

• For newcomers: Willingness to learn, curiosity, practical problem-solving, and a hands-on attitude

• For experienced growers: All of the above, plus proven growing experience, crop management skills, ability to mentor others, and contribute to continuous improvement initiatives

Wherever you’re at in your career, you’ll be supported with structured learning, on the job development and access to international networks.

About You

This role is ideal for someone passionate about the primary industry sector, keen to build a long-term career as a grower, and motivated by continuous improvement. You’ll be comfortable working as part of a supportive team, pay close attention to detail, communicate openly, and bring a positive, collaborative approach.

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

You might be someone who:

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

• 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

• Enjoys learning, experimenting, and improving outcomes

• Sees opportunity in change and isn’t afraid of responsibility

• Wants a long-term career where what you do genuinely matters

Experience in horticulture, agriculture, or commercial growing is great — but not essential. What matters most is your attitude, curiosity, and willingness to learn.

What You’ll Bring

• Genuine interest in growing and fresh produce

• Curiosity and willingness to learn mushroom growing from the ground up

• Good observation and practical problem-solving skills

• Pride in doing things properly and taking care in your work

• Collaborative, down-to-earth approach and clear communication

• Motivation to grow your skills and confidence over time

• Interest in developing leadership skills if desired

The Details

• Permanent, full-time salaried role

• Monday to Friday, with some weekend/on-call requirements

• Early starts (7am)

• Based in Hornby

• Long-term career opportunity in a specialised growing environment

Remuneration will be aligned to experience, with scope to grow as your skills develop.

Join a team who are:

• Creators who lead the way

• Specialists bringing their best every day

• A community that’s in it together

Keen to Grow With Us?

If you’re hands-on, curious, and excited about contributing to the future of fresh produce in New Zealand, we’d love to hear from you.

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.