32 | Mount Pack & Cool REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT More Kiwi jobs as business expands Karen Phelps Brendon Lee: “Mpac is a really progressive company and we’re part of a multi-billion-dollar industry.” The expansion of Mount Pack and Cool (Mpac) means great career opportunities for Kiwis, says managing director Brendon Lee. The current expansion project will see staff numbers double, creating 300 new jobs. And by 2025, the industry as whole is expected to need a net increase of 7,800 workers, including 14,900 across the workforce with qualifications. For Brendon this means that the right forward thinking people could set themselves up for life with a great job that enables them to achieve all that they want to. “Mpac is a really progressive company and we’re part of a multi-billion-dollar industry. There are lots of opportunities to grow with us,” he says. Brendon is a case in point. He grew up on a kiwifruit orchard near the Pāpāmoa Hills then started in the kiwifruit industry as an orchard cadet and rose up through the ranks. “I’m a great example of how the horticulture industry nurtures talent,” he says. After starting his apprenticeship at 18 and now at the age of 33 he now leads a team of more than 100 permanent staff and 600 seasonal staff. From his first job as an orchard cadet and label operator at a packhouse during the harvest, a role as production supervisor followed then line manager, packhouse manager and eventually site manager. He completed a Diploma in Horticulture via Lincoln University and in 2012 was approached to be the general manager at Auckland Pack and Cool (Apac). The senior leadership role prepared him well for a return to the Bay of Plenty in 2017, when he took over as Mpac’s Group general manager while continuing to oversee the Apac management team. Brendon’s career has seen him traverse some of the industry’s most challenging times including working as a post-harvest site manager in Te Puke when Psa ravaged kiwifruit vines around the Bay of Plenty and last year, he led Mpac and Apac through the challenges of packing and storing its largest volume of kiwifruit during a global pandemic. He says both experiences taught him the value of communication and that while planning for the future is important so it flexibility and responsiveness. It’s also made him realise the huge importance of a great team and he’s always on the look out for the right people to join Mpac. He says long-term demand for labour makes horticulture a very attractive career choice, with hard work and talent rewarded by employers. He stresses that not all roles in the industry are physically demanding and there are a wide variety of career options to suit all types of people. Being given opportunities for professional development along the way, including employers funding a Diploma in Business Management extramurally via Massey University, as well as participation in the Kellogg’s Leadership and Zespri Industry Governance Development programmes, have made him realise the importance of giving people a change. “Every couple of years I was promoted and I had the opportunity to step up. Having benefited from that, if we see someone at Mpac who has the potential to move up, we like to promote from within.” PRESENTING NZ Designed & Manufactured Packsheds, Bin Tip, Coolstores, Freezers (Any size up to 6.0 x 6.0 (wxh) Each door built to suit your applica�on and controls NZ highest spec’d insulated cool store rapid door Wind classed to suit NZ/regional requirements As per Western BOP Council requirements 20, 30 & 40mm insula�on available Speeds up to 2.5mps www.pensadoors.com | 0800 66 77 21 AS SPEC’D IN THE 2021 STAGE 4 JACE PACKSHED WITH FORM CONSTRUCTION “It kept me motivated. Every couple of years I was promoted and I had the opportunity to step up. Having benefited from that, if we see someone at Mpac who has the potential to move up, we like to promote from within. “Our coolstore operations manager Nik Cavill started with us eight years ago as a stacker and now Nik oversees our coolstore operation and has numerous staff reporting to him.” While Mpac is looking for workers in all age groups Brendon’s advice for students considering a career in horticulture is for them to talk to people in various businesses to fully understand what the opportunities are. “Find a position that works for you. Show initiative and don’t be afraid to put yourself out there in order to stand out.”
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