Looking for a unique and exciting opportunity to develop your expertise and leadership skills with an industry leader?

Join Meadow Mushrooms as a Mushroom Substrate Operations Trainee and gain hands-on experience in a unique production environment. You'll learn the end-to-end substrate production process, work with heavy machinery, and receive specialist training while building the skills and experience needed for future leadership opportunities.

If you're motivated, eager to learn, and passionate about the primary industry, this is your chance to build a rewarding career with Meadow Mushrooms.

The Opportunity

This Mushroom Substrate Operations Trainee opportunity will follow a specialised development program which is designed to give you broad experience across the mushroom substrate production process.

You’ll rotate through different teams, learning from experienced people and building practical, technical and leadership skills along the way. You’ll learn how raw materials, machinery, environmental monitoring and precise processes come together to create the substrate that supports mushroom growing. You’ll develop the confidence to understand not just what we do, but why it matters.

It’s practical, physical work, but there’s plenty to learn – the scope of the role is broad.

You’ll develop skills in:

• Substrate production, from raw materials through to finished product

• Monitoring temperature, oxygen, moisture, pasteurisation and product quality

• Operating mobile plant including forklifts, loaders and elevated work platforms

• Safe working at heights, confined spaces and chemical handling

• Working closely with suppliers to maintain consistent quality and reliable material supply

• Understanding how raw material quality at the start of the process affects the final product and overall business outcomes

• Solving problems by recognising how small details can influence the end result

• Working as part of a team to deliver safe, consistent and high-quality outcomes

You don’t need previous substrate experience. Curiosity, reliability, a willingness to learn and a commitment to working safely are what matter most.

If you’re interested in agriculture, horticulture, fresh produce, dairy or the wider primary sector, this is a chance to turn that interest into real technical capability—with a pathway towards becoming a Mushroom Substrate Specialist or future operational leader.

• Permanent, full-time salaried position

• Monday to Friday, 40 hours per week, occasional weekend work

• 7am start

• Dunsandel based location

About You

We’re looking for someone who is curious, practical and keen to learn. You’ll enjoy hands-on work, working outdoors and being part of a team. You’ll take pride in doing things properly, pay attention to detail and contribute to a team that helps grow great produce every day.

You’ll ideally have:

• Experience in agriculture, horticulture, fresh produce, dairy, manufacturing or another operational environment

• A practical, hands-on approach and the physical capability to work outdoors

• Curiosity and a willingness to ask questions and learn from others

• Good attention to detail and a solution-focused mindset

• A proactive, safety-focused approach

• A genuine interest in building a long-term career in the primary sector

An agriculture-related qualification would be an advantage, but we’re more interested in your attitude, potential and willingness to learn. We can teach you the technical skills.

What Success Looks Like

As you progress, you’ll:

• Build a strong understanding of mushroom substrate production and the wider mushroom growing process

• Start contributing ideas and finding ways to improve how we work

• Develop confidence in your operational and technical skills

• Learn from experienced people and become a trusted member of the team

• Become confident working independently, taking ownership of your responsibilities and making sound decisions in your role

• Build an understanding of business CAPEX, including how investment decisions are made and how to anticipate future operational needs

You’ll be joining a team of Creators, Specialists and a Community—people who lead the way, bring their best every day and are in it together.

About Us

Meadow Mushrooms is a proud New Zealand family-owned business in Christchurch. What started with two entrepreneurs experimenting with growing mushrooms has grown into one of New Zealand’s leading mushroom producers.

More than 50 years on, we’re still family-led and have kept that same entrepreneurial spirit—aim high, keep learning, invest in our people and keep looking for better ways to do things.

Today, our farms in Christchurch and Dunsandel combine technology, innovation and specialist knowledge to grow high-quality mushrooms in carefully controlled environments.

We’re mushroom obsessed—and proud of it. That obsession drives everything we do – from how we grow, to how we pick, to how we think about the food on our table. We love that we grow nature’s think tank: fresh, nourishing mushrooms that are full of goodness to fuel Kiwis and make meals better every day.

When you join Meadow Mushrooms, you’ll be part of a down-to-earth team that’s in it together. It’s a great place to build your skills, learn from experienced people and be part of a New Zealand food business with a story that’s still growing.

Apply Online Now!

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

*This is a long-term career path, so you’ll need to meet New Zealand residency requirements by holding New Zealand citizenship or a Resident Visa.