Land Manager Northern
About Manuka Health
Manuka Health is a high performing team of 200 people and about 1.5 billion bees, working together to become the leading Manuka honey company globally. At the heart of our collective effort is a culture of care. We care deeply about our people, products, consumers, communities, environment, and our impact on the world.
Our vertically integrated business starts at the source with a dedicated beekeeping and land management division, specialized extraction, processing, packing, and testing facilities, and highly experienced sales, marketing, operations, and leadership teams. Through our secure supply chain, rigorous quality control and collective expertise we produce and deliver our trusted New Zealand bee products to over 45 countries worldwide. We have an ambitious growth strategy to sustainably grow our business and New Zealand's Manuka honey industry for the betterment of people and the planet.
The role
We’re on the look-out for a Land Manager based in either the Waikato or Taranaki to support the growth of our apiculture operation by balancing hive numbers and MGO outcomes while building strong, sustainable, and mutually beneficial relationships with landowners. This role sits within our Apiculture team and plays a critical part in delivering Manuka Health’s purpose, strategy, and growth plan while strengthening our reputation within the community. Some key job responsibilities include:
· Continually identify and improve processes and planning in line with the seasonal beekeeping plan.
· Ensure all reporting requirements are completed accurately and in a timely manner to support sound decision-making.
· Maintain accurate record-keeping and deliver a high level of reporting and data integrity across land and hive activities.
· Assist Apiary Managers and the General Manager with schedule management for land access and hive placements.
· Travel regularly across the North Island to maintain key stakeholder relationships and support hive movement planning.
· Achieve short-term targets for hive numbers in manuka and wintering to meet annual budgeted targets and ensure uninterrupted supply of high-value MGO honey within sustainable stocking rates.
· Strategically build and manage land relationships to achieve MGO targets at extraction while developing a portfolio for future growth in high-value MGO areas.
· Communicate effectively with landowners, reporting on yield and results to build confidence, trust, and long-term partnerships.
· Build and maintain seasonal land plans, land payment schedules, and accurate landowner databases, including access, compliance, and mapping information.
· Manage harvest declarations, batch allocation, and coordination with extraction teams to ensure accurate forecasting, delivery, and record management.
· Actively drive continuous improvement, provide guidance and support to operational teams, and contribute to training and capability uplift across land management activities.
Our ideal candidate will have:
· Demonstrated experience in relationship building, negotiation, and working autonomously as a self‑starter.
· Experience working in the apiculture, agricultural, forestry, or a similar industry (preferred but not essential).
· Procurement and purchasing operational experience, with some financial acumen.
· Confident and competent using Microsoft Office, particularly Excel and other computer‑based programmes.
· Comfortable working alone on large land or forestry blocks, travelling long distances with overnight stays, and operating vehicles, trailers, and off‑road equipment (e.g. Can‑Am).
· Bring the voice of landowners and stakeholders into decision‑making and business priorities. Strong understanding of and links to the rural community would be desirable.
· Operate safely and responsibly, adhering to all health, safety, wellbeing, and sustainability requirements while promoting best practice.
· Communicate openly and constructively, listen attentively, and promote collaboration and diverse thinking across teams and stakeholders.
· Take accountability for outcomes, set direction, prioritise effectively, and drive continuous improvement with a strong results focus.
In return we will offer you:
· Competitive remuneration
· Southern Cross Healthcare insurance
· Recognition of Service with the company – awards for staff that reach milestone anniversaries
· The opportunity to join a great company
· Working with great people who are growing a successful beekeeping operation
· On the job training and development opportunities
To be considered for this role, applicants must have a legal right to work in New Zealand and already be living in New Zealand.
Applications for this role will take you to the advertisers site.
