Senior Administration Assistant

Wai-West Horticulture is a multi-orchard horticulture business operating across apples, berries and kiwifruit. We are entering a high-intensity operational phase and are looking for a capable Administration Assistant to support finance, people, and orchard operations. This role is critical. It supports the backbone of the business: accurate administration, disciplined systems, and reliable follow-through in a real-world production environment.

The Role: This is a hands-on, office-based role supporting the Finance & People function and wider management team. It suits someone who is organised, grounded, and comfortable working in a fast-moving, seasonal business where priorities can shift at short notice and systems are continuously evolving. Key responsibilities include: Administration & Office Support ** Daily office administration and coordination ** Document control, filing systems, and data management ** Meeting coordination, agendas, and minutes ** Supporting management with reports, correspondence, and internal communications ** Responding to changing priorities and operational needs as they arise ** Actively contributing to the improvement of office systems, workflows, and processes Finance Support ** Assisting with invoicing, purchase orders, and supplier administration ** Data entry and support within Xero and related systems ** Expense processing, coding, and reconciliation support ** Maintaining accurate records and audit trails People & Operations Support ** Onboarding administration and employment documentation ** Payroll processing and payroll system management ** Liaison with orchard managers and seasonal teams ** Supporting compliance documentation and internal processes ** Supporting our seasonal workforce and their pastoral care What We’re Looking For This is not an entry-level “reception” role. We need someone who can hold structure without becoming rigid. You will likely bring: ** Proven experience in administration or office support (finance or HR exposure preferred) ** Experience running payroll accurately and confidentially ** High attention to detail and strong follow-through ** Confidence using business systems (Xero experience strongly valued) ** Comfort working in environments where processes are tested, refined, and sometimes rebuilt ** The ability to manage interruptions, shifting deadlines, and incomplete information without becoming flustered ** A practical, solutions-focused mindset rather than a need for perfection upfront ** Strong written and verbal communication ** Personal maturity, discretion, and professional boundaries What Success Looks Like Within 3–6 months you will: ** Be running day-to-day administration with minimal supervision ** Be trusted with financial and people-related processes including payroll ** Be handling changing priorities calmly and constructively ** Be actively contributing to process improvement, not just maintaining tasks ** Have improved the reliability, clarity, and effectiveness of our internal admin systems Why This Role ** Diverse, real-world business exposure across finance, people, and operations ** A role that genuinely matters to how the business functions ** Stable, year-round employment in a growing horticulture group ** Opportunity to grow into more senior administration, finance support, or people-and-culture pathways Applications Please submit your CV and a brief cover letter outlining your experience and why this role fits you.