- Salary: $170,000–$180,000 + Benefits
- Food Manufacturing | FMCG | Meat or Dairy Processing
A significant leadership opportunity has become available for an experienced Operations Manager to lead daily production across a large, complex, and high‑volume food manufacturing site in South Auckland. This role is critical in driving operational performance, building high‑performing teams, and ensuring the site meets its safety, quality, cost, and service delivery commitments.
This is primarily a day‑shift role; however, you will oversee a two‑shift operation (morning and afternoon) within a 6‑day production environment working on a 4 days on / 4 days off roster. Flexibility to support both shifts when required is essential.
Initial overseas training will be required.
About the Role
As the Operations Manager, you will lead all aspects of day‑to‑day production across a highly automated, fast‑paced FMCG site. You will ensure the right people, processes, and systems are in place to meet current production demands while actively driving improvements for future growth and efficiency.
This position plays a key role on the Senior Leadership Team, contributing to site‑level strategy, delivering on annual targets, and building a culture of collaboration, accountability, and inclusiveness.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead end‑to‑end production operations, ensuring performance across cost, safety, quality, production output, service levels, and capability development.
- Develop and implement operational strategies aligned to site objectives.
- Manage operational budgets including wages, yield, giveaway, stock levels, and resource planning.
- Build a high‑performing, engaged team environment that embraces diversity and inclusion.
- Partner with Engineering, Quality, Safety, Logistics, and other internal stakeholders to deliver consistent operational outcomes.
- Work closely with external suppliers to maintain quality and ensure positive commercial outcomes.
- Identify and implement opportunities for continuous improvement across systems, practices, and resource utilisation.
- Lead change within a complex, technology‑driven, highly automated manufacturing environment.
- Contribute to longer‑term operational planning
What You Bring
- Proven Operations Management experience in food manufacturing FMCG, preferably meat, dairy, or other high‑risk/complex processing environments.
- Strong leadership skills with the ability to connect, motivate, and develop large teams.
- Deep knowledge of cost management, forecasting, production KPIs, and operational excellence.
- Experience leading change and navigating high‑volume, fast‑paced production environments.
- A proactive, resilient approach; calm under pressure and confident making decisions with incomplete or contradictory data.
- Excellent communication skills with the ability to influence stakeholders at all levels.
- Strong problem‑solving capability and a continuous improvement mindset.
- Flexibility to support both morning and afternoon shifts as needed.
Why Join Us?
- Competitive salary: $170,000–$180,000
- Be part of a global brand with strong investment in people, technology, and innovation
- Diverse and high‑performing team environment
- Part of the Senior Leadership Team, influencing sitewide strategy
- Significant professional learning and development opportunities
- Opportunity to make a high‑impact contribution in a large, modern processing site
Eligibility
To be eligible for this role, you must currently hold full‑time working rights for New Zealand.
What to Do Next
If you believe you meet the above criteria, click Apply Now and submit your updated CV.
You may also email your application directly to: dornford.goves@beyond.co.nz
