Supply Chain Coordinator

What does a typical day in your role look like?

I monitor supplier performance and inventory levels, including reporting on kiwifruit and avocado stock. I check for upcoming deadlines, like crop estimates, and spend a lot of time in Excel creating clear and digestible data displays. I also review specification requirements to ensure everything meets the necessary standards.

How did you get into this role?

I started my career in kiwifruit at Orangewood, a small postharvest operator in Kerikeri. I became interested in supply and the export side of the industry, so my manager placed me in an EDI role to learn about traceability. Working in supply operations at Zespri and another postharvest operator gave me a solid understanding of how kiwifruit inventory is managed, which helped me move into my current role.

Did you need to study for this role, if so, what did you study?

I studied a Bachelor of AgriCommerce, majoring in International Agribusiness with a minor in Horticulture.

What do you enjoy most about your work?

I enjoy problem-solving, digging into data to see the bigger picture, and collaborating with others to achieve shared goals.

What’s something unique, surprising, or fun about your role or team?

In supply, there’s almost always a tricky situation that pops up and needs solving. It can be stressful in the moment, but it’s always rewarding once you’ve worked through it.

What advice would you give someone interested in your role or career path?

Get hands-on experience—it’s more valuable than you might think. Understanding how a packhouse operates has helped me a lot. In supply, you’re connected to many different areas, so it’s important to know how your work affects others and what the data actually means. Keep asking questions, find a mentor, and don’t be afraid to spend time figuring things out on your own. There are also great online resources—learning new tricks to improve your work is always worthwhile.