RENCO - General Manager

Affco New Zealand; Eltham; On-site; GBP 79,000 - 114,000; Full time

Job summary

RENCO, a New Zealand biotech company, seeks a General Manager to lead our Eltham processing facility. You will oversee day-to-day operations, drive plant performance, ensure safety, quality, and customer service, and build strong commercial relationships with internal and external stakeholders.

This role demands strategic leadership and a focus on sustainable profitability. Based in Eltham, you will champion a high-performance culture, align operations with GMP/HACCP standards, and guide the

Qualifications

• Minimum 5 years’ leadership/management experience in a hygienic manufacturing environment.
• Knowledge and understanding of New Zealand health & safety legislation.
• Knowledge and understanding of New Zealand MPI compliance.
• Knowledge and understanding of GMP and HACCP systems and procedures.

Responsibilities

• Lead the site to meet production goals and align with the company leadership team.
• Drive operational performance and optimisation across the site.
• Implement and maintain health, safety, and quality practices to zero harm.
• Ensure plant profitability and maximise revenues through efficient production.
• Prepare monthly reports on production, safety, compliance, non-conformances, and performance.

Skills

Leadership

Commercial acumen

People leadership

Stakeholder management

Analytical thinking

Continuous improvement

Job description

Jora New Zealand will close on 9th September 2026. Thank you for being with us, we are cheering you on as you continue your career journey.

RENCO is a New Zealand biotech company producing natural enzymes and has done so for more than 100 years. 100% New Zealand-owned and operated, RENCO is a proud member of the Talley’s Group, New Zealand’s leading exporter of meat, dairy, seafood, and vegetable products.

We are seeking a hands-on leader to build and sustain a high-performance culture in a complex, diverse manufacturing environment, to manage our processing facility located in Eltham, Taranaki.

As General Manager, you will be responsible for the day-to-day operations of our manufacturing facility and will be accountable for overall plant performance and optimisation. Operationally focused you will lead the site to achieve excellence in health & safety, hygiene, product quality, engagement & culture, and customer service. You will also bring strong commercial acumen to ensure operational decisions support wider business objectives, profitability, and long-term sustainability. You will proactively build and maintain effective commercial relationships with internal stakeholders, external partners, and customers.

Key Responsibilities

Key responsibilities include:

• Lead the site to meet plant and company production goals, supporting the site leadership team with strategic decision-making.
• Drive operational performance and optimisation across the site.
• Implement and maintain effective health & safety practices, with the aim of zero harm and zero incidents.
• Support RENCO’s strategic direction and instil commitment to that direction across the site.
• Ensure plant profitability and maximise revenues through efficient production practices, cost control, and commercially sound decision-making.
• Actively manage cost drivers, margins, and resource utilisation to optimise financial performance.
• Build and maintain strong commercial relationships with internal stakeholders, customers, suppliers, and key external partners.
• Ensure compliance with all company, legislative, environmental, health & safety, production, and customer requirements.
• Maintain processes and systems that ensure on-time, in-full delivery of products that meet customer specifications and commercial agreements.
• Identify opportunities for continuous improvement and cost reduction without compromising quality or safety.
• Recruit, lead, develop, and performance-manage site staff.
• Prepare and submit monthly reports on production, health & safety, compliance, non-conformances, and commercial performance to senior and executive management.

Key Attributes

Key attributes include:

• Operationally focused, with experience managing people, productivity, yields, waste, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Strong commercial acumen, with the ability to understand financial drivers, trade-offs, and the business impact of operational decisions.
• Demonstrated ability to build, manage, and sustain effective commercial and stakeholder relationships at a senior level.
• A confident communicator, able to influence and partner with internal and external stakeholders.
• Able to integrate effectively into a varied and diverse environment.
• Proven people leadership, with strong engagement and development capability.
• Resilient, with logical, analytical, and rational decision-making skills.
• Understanding of the technical aspects of manufacturing processes, specifically related to enzyme extraction.
• Improvement-focused mindset, with the ability to analyse operational and commercial data to optimise outcomes.

Qualifications

The successful applicant will have:

• Minimum 5 years’ leadership/management experience in a hygienic manufacturing environment.
• Knowledge and understanding of New Zealand health & safety legislation.
• Knowledge and understanding of New Zealand MPI compliance.
• Knowledge and understanding of GMP and HACCP systems and procedures.

While not a requirement, preference will be given to applicants with tertiary qualifications relevant to enzyme extraction, relevant health & safety qualifications, and/or relevant production/manufacturing management qualifications.

Additional information

All applicants must have the right to work in New Zealand