Zespri is more than simply the world's single-largest marketer of kiwifruit. We like to think of ourselves as fruit on a mission and as rebels with a cause: to help people, communities and the environment around the world thrive through the goodness of kiwifruit. We are proudly the world's largest marketer of kiwifruit, selling kiwifruit in more than 50 countries. We work with around 2,800 New Zealand and 1,500 international growers and post-harvest companies to source the best-quality Zespri Kiwifruit which we supply through our distribution partners to wholesale and retail customers. We are one of New Zealand's best-known international brands, dedicated to creating sustainable long-term value for growers.
We are seeking a Productivity and Pre Harvest Specialist to join our Zespri Global Supply Japan team. This role plays a key part in driving on-orchard productivity, fruit quality, harvest readiness and pre-harvest performance across Zespri’s Japan supply base.
Based in Fukuoka, this is a hands-on, grower-facing technical role where you’ll work closely with growers, industry supporters and internal teams to improve orchard performance, strengthen compliance, support maturity outcomes and help build a more resilient, scalable and sustainable kiwifruit supply system in Japan. You’ll be involved in everything from crop protection and maturity clearance through to orchard trials, data-led decision-making, grower engagement and field-day extension activities.
Key responsibilities include:
You’ll bring strong horticultural knowledge, a practical on-orchard mindset and a genuine passion for helping growers lift productivity and fruit quality. You enjoy being out in the field, working alongside growers, using data to support better decisions and turning technical insight into practical actions that improve outcomes across the supply base.
You’re someone who builds trust quickly, communicates clearly and can work confidently across a diverse group of stakeholders — from growers and industry supporters through to packhouses, laboratories and internal technical teams. You’ll be proactive, reliable and solutions-focused, with the ability to stay calm and effective during high-pressure seasonal periods.
You’ll bring:
Our people are what makes our culture so irresistible and uniquely Zespri. We are a passionate and mighty team of 850+ employees in 23 different locations globally. Working at Zespri is an opportunity to join a fast-paced, culture-driven environment unlike any other. We want people who share our values of making it happen, creating real connections, and leaving a legacy. Join us in shaping our future and be part of a truly unique organisation.
Apply Now! Applications close 31 July 2026.
At Zespri, we understand the importance of diverse perspectives and experiences, and a fair hiring process is the first step to getting there. We want to attract a diverse range of people and encourage everyone from all backgrounds and walks of life to apply. Please let us know if you need any assistance or reasonable adjustments to take part in the recruitment and selection process by reaching out to our Talent Acquisition team via email at careers@zespri.com.
Zespri will not accept applications or contact from any temporary staffing agency, placement service or professional recruiter for this vacancy (“Agency”).
Where Zespri requires the support of an agency to fulfil a vacancy, we will proactively seek this support from our network of Agencies. We respectfully ask that you do not contact Zespri or any of its affiliates/employees regarding vacancies, and reserve the right not to reply.
Zespri will not be responsible for, and will not pay, any fees, commissions or other payments related to such unsolicited resumes.
Welcome to Zespri, one of the world’s most successful horticultural marketing companies and New Zealand’s largest horticultural exporter, exporting kiwifruit to more than 50 countries around the world, managing 30 percent of the global volume.
Zespri is 100 percent owned by current and former kiwifruit growers and has a global team of 900 based in Mount Maunganui and throughout Asia, Europe and the Americas. Our purpose is to help people, communities and the environment thrive through the goodness of kiwifruit, and we work with 2,800 growers in New Zealand and 1,500 growers offshore to provide consumers with fresh, healthy and great-tasting Zespri Green, RubyRed and SunGold Kiwifruit.
In 2024/25, we supplied 220.9 million trays of kiwifruit to consumers in more than 50 markets, and recorded global operating revenue of NZ$5.14 billion.
We are committed to sustainability, with areas of improvement identified right through the supply chain including our pledge that by 2025 we will use 100 percent reusable, recyclable or compostable packaging, do more to help the environment, and work with our partners to be carbon positive by 2035.
