Careers at Talley's

Whether you’re experienced already or looking to get started, we have a wide variety of roles available in several different locations across the South Island.

Apply now

Start here and grow with us

We grow, harvest and process vegetables at our plants in Blenheim and Ashburton. Fishing boats are unloaded in Picton, Timaru, Nelson, Motueka, Westport and Greymouth with processing of the fish at our plants in Motueka, Westport and Timaru. In addition, we process shellfish in Motueka and Blenheim.

Permanent roles

Our permanent roles include engineers, electricians and mechanics, administration and clerical staff, supervisors, fore-persons, and quality control people. Please inquire directly about the availability of these positions in each location.

Seasonal roles

Because we deal in fresh seafood and produce, many of our roles are seasonal contracts. You’ll find current opportunities advertised on Seek, Trade Me and MY Job Space. Keep reading for the specific opportunities we tend to offer at each of our locations. Seasonal roles operate on both day and night shifts with work available five or six days per week according to market demand.

Job Descriptions

Mussel openers and packers

Are needed for close to 8 months of the year (October to late May), but we also take on additional seasonal staff over the months of November to June. Openers work on a contract rate based on quantity opened, with the opportunity to earn more as you become more efficient. Packers are paid on an hourly wage.

In Motueka, we also have a team who work with our marinated mussels, grading and packing them into pottles with a variety of marinades.

General wharf hands

Are needed for loading and unloading the ships so you’ll need to be physically fit.

Coldstore and dispatch staff

Must be physically fit, able to work in cold conditions at times and confident in maths and English. This position involves forklift driving, order picking and container loading as well as stock counting and recording.

Fish processing staff

Are employed year-round to help process a wide variety of fish caught by both our inshore and deep-sea fleets. Positions may be available for filleters, trimmers, packers, and general hands throughout the course of the year but it is during Hoki season (July – September) and Red Cod and Squid season (November to May) that additional staff are engaged.

Drivers

Operate our large fleet of vehicles to move fresh and frozen product around the South Island throughout the year. Drivers are also needed to either harvest the crops or transport vegetables from the paddock to the factory. We take on additional drivers during the Hoki seasons (running from July to December). Work may also be available during pea harvest from late October to February, corn harvest from January to May, potato season from February to June. Drivers will need a class 5 license, class 2 license or class 4 with W endorsement (depending on role and location) and must be prepared to do away trips.

Farm hands

Are required for spinach weeding from August to November, and harvesting of asparagus, zucchini, peppers, broccoli and cauliflower from September to June.

Vegetable packing staff

Work with modern equipment to grade, process and pack frozen product to ensure it meets customer expectations and requirements.