If you are practical and hardworking with a passion for working outside with machinery, this may be the opportunity you have been looking for!
Southwood Export Ltd is looking to appoint a permanent Machine Operator to work at their Woodchip Mill Site in Awarua (Invercargill) and Stockpiling operation at Southport, Bluff. Responsibilities include operating heavy mobile plant (bulldozers, grapple diggers, wheeled loaders, and forklifts), material handling conveyors, and carrying out some manual tasks.
Southwood Export Ltd (SWEL) is a vertically integrated wood chip manufacturing and export business which has been operating since 1981. SWEL manages 12,500 hectares of eucalyptus plantations in Southland and South Otago, owns and operates a Chip Mill facility and ship loading equipment at the port of Bluff. Currently harvesting around 350,000 tons of eucalyptus logs per year which are chipped and exported to paper mills in Japan.
Reporting to the Operations and Port Managers, the primary purpose of this role will be to:
• Operate the heavy machinery at the Chip Mill facility in Awarua including grapple diggers, wheeled loaders, bulldozers, forklifts, and material handling conveyors.
• Follow all Health and Safety, systems, and processes.
• Work in a team environment to deliver on the work outputs and complete manual tasks as directed. Task are carried out on a rotational basis.
• Provide support and work as part of the team at Southport during ship loading. Which takes place approximately every 6 weeks.
The role will be based at site in Awarua (Invercargill) and Bluff, with a wonderful lifestyle on your doorstep and offers competitive terms and conditions, Ideally, you will be someone who has:
• Experience of working with heavy machinery ideally in an industrial environment.
• Good physical fitness to be able undertake manual tasks.
• Willingness and the ability to work long hours at times to meet company requirements.
• The ability to work well as part of a team.
• An excellent work ethic and commitment to health and safety practices.
• Self-motivation and willingness to be flexible around working hours including night shift at times.
• High levels of energy, drive, and enthusiasm.
For further information please email: Paul McMaster, Operations Manager, Southwood Export Ltd at pmcmaster@southwood.co.nz
We would like to receive all applications by Monday 26 October 2026, we may shortlist and interview candidates who meet the criteria before this date. We look forward to receiving your application!