Yard Operator

In every role, McCainers are ambitious, curious, and passionate about creating exceptional work experiences —together. With a customer-first mindset, we make doing business with McCain easy.

About the role.

We're looking for a reliable and proactive Yard Operator to join our team in Timaru.

This newly created day-based position will play a key role in supporting increased weekday yard activity across site. Your primary focus will be unloading incoming deliveries, staging materials for production and maintaining Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) standards within the yard area.

Reporting to the Coldstore Manager, you'll work closely with the shift-based Yard Operator, Coldstore team, Inventory Administrator, Shift Managers and Supervisors. You'll also regularly liaise with Production, Maintenance, Warehouse teams and external drivers to help keep site operations running smoothly.

This role is primarily Monday to Friday on day shift. Flexibility to provide relief coverage on the site's rotating 12-hour day and night roster during planned leave and unplanned absence is required.

What you’ll be doing.

Safely operate forklifts throughout the yard and warehouse, including larger-capacity forklifts and specialised attachments.

Unload incoming deliveries, including packaging materials such as poly and cartons, and stage materials for production requirements.

Receive, store, move and dispatch materials across the site while maintaining inventory accuracy.

Use computer-based inventory systems to manage stock movements and related documentation.

Communicate effectively with Production, Maintenance, Warehouse, Coldstore teams and external drivers to coordinate daily activities.

Prioritise multiple operational requests while maintaining a strong focus on safety, efficiency and customer service.

Conduct routine equipment inspections, complete safety checks and contribute to a safe working environment.

Maintain housekeeping, cleanliness and Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) standards.

Proactively escalate issues and seek support when operational demands require additional assistance.

Provide relief coverage for the Yard Operator role during planned leave and unplanned absence when required.

What you’ll need to be successful.

Demonstrated experience operating forklifts safely and confidently in a warehousing, logistics, manufacturing or industrial environment.

Current New Zealand Driver Licence and OSH Forklift Certificate.

Strong communication skills and the ability to build effective working relationships across multiple teams and external stakeholders.

Ability to work independently, take ownership of assigned responsibilities and make sound day-to-day decisions.

Proven ability to prioritise competing tasks and remain calm in a fast-paced operational environment.

Basic computer literacy and confidence using inventory, warehouse or business systems.

Availability to work Monday to Friday on day shift, with flexibility to provide relief on the rotating 12-hour day and night roster when required.

Current unrestricted working rights in New Zealand.

Experience unloading trucks and staging production or packaging materials would be advantageous.

Experience within a manufacturing, food production or FMCG environment would be beneficial.

Experience using SAP, Warehouse Management Systems (WMS) or inventory management systems would be advantageous.

Familiarity with Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) requirements would be beneficial.

Benefits of the role.

An inclusive workplace where your growth and development are supported through hands-on learning and ongoing development opportunities.

Competitive hourly rates and staff sales perks.

Automatic Life and Total Permanent Disability Insurance coverage.

Matched employer KiwiSaver contributions of up to 4%.

About McCain

To learn more about McCain and how we provide you with opportunities to make an impact that matters, visit – https://www.mccain.com/about-us/our-purpose-values/

Leadership principles.

At McCain, our leadership principles guide how we engage with customers, collaborate as a team, and achieve success. We focus on understanding customer needs, driving innovation, empowering people, and taking ownership to clear obstacles and deliver results.

AI & Digital Capabilities

At McCain, AI and digital capabilities are part of how we work and innovate. We value curiosity toward emerging technologies and the thoughtful, responsible use of AI-enabled tools to improve outcomes as part of our future-ready culture.

The McCain experience.

We are McCain. This statement is a testament to our collective strength and our individual value. Your contributions play a vital role in our success. Our winning culture is rooted in authenticity and trust, empowering us to bring out the best in one another. Here, you’ll find opportunities to learn, grow, and thrive. Join us and experience why we’re better together.

*\We've got this covered! No external agency support required and unsolicited CVs will not be considered.