Executive Assistant – Part Time

About us

Farmland Foods has been producing quality products since 1964 and is one of NZ’s leading smallgoods producers.  We’re a family-owned business with a team of around 180 people, a strong reputation for quality, and an ambition to keep getting better. Our vision is Farmland – every family, every day and our passion for what we do is relentless.   

About the role

We’re looking for a sharp, capable and highly organised Executive Assistant to work alongside one of our Directors, based at our Whanganui site. This isn’t your standard EA role. You’ll work closely with a Director who moves fast, works hard and has plenty on the go. Priorities can change quickly, and we need someone who can think ahead, work things out, take ownership and keep things moving.

At times you’ll be given direction; at other times you’ll need to pick up the ball and run with it. Either way, you’ll know when to ask questions, when to make a call and when there might be a smarter way of doing something.

You’ll need to be bright, resilient and commercially switched on. You’ll notice the details, but you’ll also understand the bigger picture.

This is a part-time role of approximately 15-25 hours per week, with flexibility around working days and hours. Ideally, you’ll work during the day, around 9:30am–2:00pm on selected days, with the flexibility to occasionally complete additional work from home in the evening when needed.

The role is varied and will include:

• Providing proactive, practical day-to-day administrative support across a wide range of operational and business matters.
• Managing priorities, coordinating tasks, keeping an eye on deadlines, commitments and loose ends, and making sure things don’t fall through the cracks
• Assisting with financial administration, accounts and business information
• Using Excel confidently and intelligently to organise, analyse and present information
• Using AI and other digital tools to research, automate, streamline and improve the way work gets done.

About you

We’re less interested in someone who can tick every traditional EA box and more interested in finding someone who is smart, resourceful, commercially aware and comfortable taking responsibility. Ideally, you will bring:

• Experience in an Executive Assistant, Senior Administration, Accounts or similarly varied business support role
• Excellent Excel skills, including confidence with formulas, data, reporting and spreadsheets
• Strong numerical ability and confidence working with financial and business information
• Confidence using AI tools, with genuine curiosity about how technology can make work faster and better
• A natural instinct for spotting inefficiency and the confidence to suggest improvements
• Strong problem-solving skills and the ability to work things out independently when needed
• The ability to see the bigger picture, understand what we’re trying to achieve and think beyond the immediate task
• Sound judgement and the ability to handle confidential information professionally
• Resilience and composure when priorities change or things get busy
• A practical, positive, get-it-done attitude

We’re not looking for perfection. We’re looking for someone who learns fast, uses initiative, exercises good judgement, stays curious and follows things through.

Why work for us?

• HRD 5-Star Employer of Choice winner in 2025!
• Strong management support with a down-to-earth company culture and values
• Opportunities to learn, grow and make a genuine impact
• Established service-based rewards programme and quarterly bonus incentive opportunity
• Staff purchasing privileges – if you like bacon, we’re the place for you!

Applications will only be accepted from people currently eligible to work in New Zealand. If this sounds like you, we’d love to hear from you, APPLY NOW