Do you understand not just how food manufacturing equipment operates, but why processes work the way they do?
We're looking for a technically minded, hands-on food manufacturing specialist who enjoys developing products, solving problems and finding better ways of making things.
This is an opportunity to combine product development with practical manufacturing improvement in an established and growing food business.
You'll have access to a well-equipped test kitchen where you can develop and trial new products before scaling them up using our commercial manufacturing equipment.
Just as importantly, you'll spend time on the factory floor understanding how our equipment and processes operate, challenging existing methods and helping our production teams get the best out of our machinery.
We're looking for someone who enjoys being hands-on, working alongside production teams, understanding how equipment and processes work, and finding practical ways to make them better.
About us
Source and Supply Food Co is an established Auckland food manufacturer producing bacon, ham, sausages and other meat products for supermarkets and foodservice customers throughout New Zealand.
We're a growing business with a strong focus on product quality, innovation and continuous improvement.
Our manufacturing operation includes a wide range of processing equipment, including injectors, vacuum tumblers, grinders, mixers, smokehouses, slicers and packaging machinery.
We're looking for someone who can help us develop great products while improving the way we manufacture them.
About the role
This is a varied, hands-on technical role combining product development, factory trials, process optimisation and manufacturing improvement.
You'll work closely with our production, engineering, quality, sales and marketing teams.
Product development and factory trials
Develop and trial new products in our well-equipped test kitchen.
Plan and execute factory trials, taking products from initial development through to commercial production.
Work with ingredient suppliers and external technical specialists to develop and refine formulations.
Establish manufacturing parameters and document successful production methods.
Troubleshoot challenges associated with scaling up new products.
Manufacturing process optimisation
Review existing manufacturing processes and identify opportunities to improve efficiency, yield and product consistency.
Investigate how our equipment is being used and identify opportunities to optimise operating parameters.
Analyse processing times, temperatures, equipment settings and production methods.
Identify opportunities to reduce waste, improve throughput and make better use of existing equipment.
Investigate recurring manufacturing issues and develop practical solutions.
Production standards and capability
Establish and improve standard operating methods for key manufacturing processes.
Help production teams understand not just how to operate equipment, but why particular settings and processes are important.
Work alongside operators and team leaders to improve technical knowledge and manufacturing consistency.
Identify gaps in existing processes and help implement sustainable improvements.
Support adherence to agreed manufacturing standards.
Technical projects
Evaluate new equipment and manufacturing technologies.
Support equipment trials, commissioning and process improvements.
Work with engineering and production teams to solve technical manufacturing challenges.
Contribute to projects aimed at improving manufacturing efficiency and capability.
The role has no direct reports and offers a high degree of autonomy. You'll be expected to take ownership of projects, work collaboratively across departments and follow improvements through to implementation.
About you
We're open to candidates from a range of technical food manufacturing backgrounds.
You might currently be a Food Technologist, Process Technologist, Food Process Engineer or an experienced technical specialist working in a manufacturing environment.
What matters most is your practical understanding of food manufacturing and your ability to turn technical knowledge into real improvements on the factory floor.
Ideally, you'll bring:
Experience in food manufacturing, preferably in a technical, process development or manufacturing improvement role.
A sound understanding of food processing principles and how manufacturing parameters affect product quality, consistency and efficiency.
Experience planning and executing factory trials or implementing process improvements.
Strong practical problem-solving skills and an analytical approach.
An interest in machinery, equipment performance and manufacturing processes.
The ability to work effectively with production operators, team leaders and technical staff.
Good organisational skills and the ability to manage projects independently.
A willingness to challenge existing methods and find better ways of doing things.
Experience in meat processing, smallgoods or other protein manufacturing would be advantageous, but isn't essential.
A qualification in food technology, food science, engineering or a related discipline would be beneficial, although relevant practical experience is equally important.
We're particularly interested in people who are curious about how things work, enjoy solving problems and get satisfaction from seeing their improvements make a difference.
What's in it for you?
Competitive salary
Regular Monday to Friday working hours.
A modern, well-equipped test kitchen where you can experiment, develop and trial new products.
Access to a diverse range of commercial manufacturing equipment, providing opportunities to develop and optimise manufacturing processes.
A varied role combining product development and process improvement, rather than being limited to one technical discipline.
Genuine autonomy and ownership of projects, with the opportunity to influence how we manufacture our products.
The satisfaction of seeing your work make a real difference, from new products appearing on supermarket shelves to improvements in factory performance.
A supportive team and an established, growing New Zealand food business.
Interested?
If you're passionate about food manufacturing, enjoy understanding how processes work and believe there's always a better way of doing things, we'd love to hear from you.
Apply with your CV and tell us a little about your experience in product development, manufacturing processes or technical improvement projects.