YOUR CAREER AS A
HARVESTING MANAGER

Harvesting managers (sometimes called harvesting and marketing managers) plan and oversee forest harvesting and timber sales. This can include:

• developing harvest plans
• managing pre-harvest forest measurement
• working with roading engineers and harvesting crew managers
• preparing resource consent information
• environmental planning
• overseeing harvesting operations
• marketing timber.

Harvesting managers are often responsible for health and safety and environmental compliance of harvesting operations. They also liaise with clients – that is, forest and woodlot owners. 

QUALIFICATIONS/SKILLS

To become a harvesting manager you will generally need either:

• a diploma in forest management from Toi Ohomai
• a degree in forestry science or forest engineering from the University of Canterbury
• a forestry degree or management experience from New Zealand or overseas.

Skills include a good technical knowledge of managing forests and forestry operations, good environmental knowledge, familiarity with relevant legal requirements such as the Resource Management Act, the Health and Safety at Work Act, and the National Environmental Standards for Plantation Forestry. Good communication, analytical and presentation skills are also important. A knowledge of timber markets, marketing, and log transport logistics may be part of the required skill-set. 

There is a mix of office and on-site activities, so a driver's licence is also needed.

SIMILAR JOBS

• Forest manager (forester)
• Harvest planner

CAREER PROGRESSION

Harvesting managers can progress from junior to senior management roles fairly quickly, and have the opportunity to move between large and small forest owners and/or between other management roles to gain more experience.