Why consider a water industry career in Central Otago?
A career in the water industry gives you practical, varied work with long-term purpose. Based from Cromwell, WaterForce offers the chance to work across irrigation, pumping and water management while living in one of New Zealand’s most distinctive regions, known for wide open spaces, strong communities, outdoor lifestyles and dramatic landscapes.
Central Otago is a place where water matters.
You see it in the vineyards, orchards, farms, lifestyle blocks, town supply systems and rural properties that keep the region moving. It’s dry country. Productive country. And it takes good people, smart design and reliable systems to make water work where it’s needed.
That’s where WaterForce comes in.
WaterForce is a leading New Zealand provider of irrigation, pumping and water management solutions, with a strong national presence and a practical, on-the-ground reputation for getting water systems right. Our careers page notes that WaterForce employs more than 200 people across New Zealand, with many team members having been with the business for more than a decade.
Now, we’re looking for people who want to build their future in Central Otago.
A career with practical work, technical thinking and real customer impact
Not every good career fits neatly into “office job” or “hands-on trade”.
The water industry sits somewhere more interesting.
At WaterForce, roles can involve a mix of practical know-how, design, customer conversations, problem solving, quoting, procurement, project coordination and technical detail. One day might involve working through a pumping requirement for a rural property. Another might involve designing an irrigation system, reviewing flow rates, preparing a quote or helping a customer understand the best option for their land.
For the right person, that variety is a big part of the appeal.
You’re not stuck doing the same thing every day. You’re solving real problems for real people, often across farms, horticulture blocks, lifestyle properties, commercial sites and community water systems.
Why water is an industry for the future
WaterForce believes the wise use of water will continue to play a key role in New Zealand’s future.
That’s not a throwaway line. Good water management affects food production, rural resilience, land use, compliance, home water quality and the way communities grow. In regions like Central Otago, where dry conditions and productive lands it side by side, efficient water systems are essential.
This work needs people who can think practically and technically.
It needs people who can listen to a customer, understand the site, design a system that fits, and make sure the final result performs properly. It also needs people who are willing to keep learning, because the technology keeps moving too.
Pumps, filtration, controls, meters, irrigation design and compliance all matter. So does common sense.
Current opportunity: Sales and Design Professional, Cromwell
WaterForce is seeking an Intermediate to Senior Sales and Design Professional to join our Cromwell team. The job is currently listed on TradeMe here.
This role would suit someone who enjoys combining technical design with customer engagement. You’ll work with clients to understand their requirements, then design practical, efficient irrigation and pumping systems that suit the property, operation and budget.
You’ll be involved across the full project lifecycle, including:
- Initial customer consultation
- Irrigation and pumping system design
- Quoting and technical documentation
- Product ordering and procurement
- Installation coordination and oversight
- Final handover documentation
- Ongoing customer relationship management
- Identifying and qualifying new sales opportunities
- Supporting junior team members with technical knowledge
It’s a good fit for someone who likes responsibility, variety and a mix of desk-based and field-connected work.
What kind of person suits this role?
We’re looking for someone with proven experience in irrigation and/or pumping system sales and design.
CAD or relevant design software experience is important, along with strong attention to detail. Calculations, documentation and system design need to be accurate, because customers rely on that work once the system is installed.
The right person will also bring:
- Mechanical aptitude
- Commercial understanding
- Strong communication skills
- Good organisation across multiple projects
- A proactive and honest approach
- Confidence working independently and within a team
- A genuine interest in practical water solutions
Experience helps, but attitude matters too.
If your background is close but not identical, we’d still be keen to hear from you. You may come from irrigation, pumps, rural servicing, engineering, plumbing, drainage, agricultural contracting, technical sales, design or another practical field where you’ve had to solve problems and deal with customers.
Back yourself. Good people can learn.
Living in Central Otago
Central Otago is a strong drawcard in its own right.
The official Central Otago regional site describes the area as a place of diverse seasons, wide open spaces, connected communities and lifestyle opportunities that attract people to live, work and do business there. Tourism New Zealand also highlights Central Otago for its powerful landscapes, wine country, cycling, heritage towns and the Otago Central RailTrail.
For people who enjoy the outdoors, there’s plenty on the doorstep.
Biking before or after work. Lakes and rivers nearby. Ski fields within reach. Hunting, fishing, walking tracks, vineyards, mountain views and clear seasonal changes that make the region feel different from one month to the next.
It’s also a great place to raise a family.
You get the space, community feel and outdoor lifestyle that many people are looking for, while still being part of a region with real work, strong industries and growing demand for skilled people.
Cromwell is right in the middle of it. Close to Alexandra, Clyde, Wānaka and Queenstown, but with its own pace and identity.
What WaterForce offers
WaterForce offers a permanent, full-time role in a growing and respected company.
You’ll be joining a supportive team environment with ongoing training and development. The work is varied, fast-paced and connected to industries that matter, including agriculture, horticulture, rural water supply, commercial operations and community infrastructure.
For the Cromwell Sales and Design role, WaterForce offers:
- A permanent, full-time position
- Competitive remuneration based on experience
- A respected national business with local branch strength
- Technical variety across irrigation and pumping systems
- Customer-facing work with real project ownership
- Opportunities to mentor and support others
- Ongoing training and career development
This is a role for someone who wants more than a job title.
It’s for someone who wants to build useful skills, work with good people and contribute to water solutions that have a real impact.
Ready for a career move?
If you’re looking for a role where you can combine technical design, customer interaction and project delivery, WaterForce would like to hear from you.
You might already have strong irrigation or pumping experience. You might be looking to shift from the tools into a more design and customer-focused role. You might have practical skills, mechanical aptitude and the drive to learn a new trade.
Either way, start the conversation.
Enquire today about current WaterForce roles in Central Otago and how they may suit your background, skillset and career goals.
Send your CV and cover letter to careers@waterforce.co.nz or visit the WaterForce careers page to explore current opportunities.
