Assistant Production Manager

Lawson Williams; Tauranga; On-site; NZD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Lawson Williams is helping a New Zealand food manufacturer in Bay of Plenty recruit a hands-on Production Supervisor / Team Leader who will act as 2IC to the Production Manager, leading daily production, coaching teams and driving Lean initiatives on the factory floor.

You will develop people, manage planning and ERP data, ensure food safety and quality, and partner with engineering, planning and technology teams to improve performance and output.

Qualifications

• Experience leading production teams in food manufacturing or FMCG.
• Strong Lean knowledge including 5S and continuous improvement.
• Experience with ERP systems and production records.
• Good planning, organization and communication skills.
• Hands-on leader who develops people on the shop floor.

Responsibilities

• Lead, coach and develop Team Leaders and production staff to build an engaged workforce.
• Support daily production planning and ensure labour, equipment and resources are aligned with production requirements.
• Manage Lean manufacturing initiatives, including 5S, waste reduction and structured problem-solving.
• Maintain accurate production records, ERP data, stock control and traceability.
• Identify and implement improvements to manufacturing processes, workflows and operating procedures.
• Support training programmes, maintain training records and ensure employees are competent in their roles.
• Ensure compliance with food safety, quality, hygiene and health and safety requirements.
• Support production projects, equipment improvements and introduction of new processes.

Skills

Team leadership

Coaching and development

Lean manufacturing

5S

Problem solving

ERP systems

Tools

ERP systems

Job description

Learn in one of the best. Develop your production leadership career, gaining real hands‑on experience in Lean manufacturing and continuous improvement.

• Hands‑on 2IC role with opportunities to learn from experienced leaders.
• Lead production teams and contribute to improving manufacturing performance.
• Develop your Lean manufacturing and continuous improvement skills.

The Company

Our client is an established New Zealand food manufacturer with over 20 years of successful operation. Supplying both domestic and international markets, the business has built a reputation for quality, innovation and manufacturing capability.

With a focus on continued growth, the business is investing in its people, systems and manufacturing processes to support the next stage of its development.

Based in the Bay of Plenty, this is an opportunity to join a business where Lean manufacturing and continuous improvement are central to how the factory operates, providing an environment to develop your skills and grow your career.

The Opportunity

Reporting to the Production Manager, you will play a key role in supporting the day-to-day operation of the factory while developing your experience in Lean manufacturing, production management and continuous improvement.

Working alongside an experienced leadership team across Production, Planning, Engineering and Food Technology, you will have the opportunity to learn, contribute ideas and become involved in projects that improve manufacturing performance.

This is a hands‑on leadership role where you will support production teams, develop people and help ensure daily production targets are achieved while maintaining high standards of food safety, quality and workplace safety.

You will also act as 2IC to the Production Manager, gaining broader exposure to factory management and developing the skills needed to progress into more senior production leadership roles.

The Role

Your responsibilities will include:

• Leading, coaching and developing Team Leaders and production staff to build an engaged and capable workforce.
• Supporting daily production planning and ensuring labour, equipment and resources are aligned with production requirements.
• Managing Lean manufacturing initiatives, including 5S, waste reduction and structured problem‑solving.
• Maintaining accurate production records, ERP data, stock control and traceability.
• Identifying and implementing improvements to manufacturing processes, workflows and operating procedures.
• Supporting training programmes, maintaining training records and ensuring employees are competent in their roles.
• Ensuring compliance with food safety, quality, hygiene and health and safety requirements.
• Supporting production projects, equipment improvements and the introduction of new processes.

An important part of the role will be working with your teams to identify opportunities for improvement and turning those ideas into practical changes on the factory floor.

Skills and Experience

We are looking for a practical production leader who enjoys working with people and understands the importance of structure, planning and follow‑through.

Ideally, you will bring:

• Experience in a production leadership or supervisory role within food manufacturing or FMCG.
• An understanding of manufacturing operations, production planning and workflow management.
• Some experience leading, coaching and developing production teams.
• Knowledge of Lean manufacturing, 5S and continuous improvement principles.
• An understanding of food safety, HACCP, quality and hygiene requirements.
• Experience using ERP systems and maintaining accurate production records.
• Good organisational, communication and problem‑solving skills.
• A hands‑on approach and the ability to work effectively across different functions.

You will be comfortable spending time on the factory floor, understanding operational issues and working with your team to improve performance.

Just as importantly, you will enjoy developing people, setting clear expectations and building a culture where employees take responsibility for quality, safety and continuous improvement.

The Next Step

This is an opportunity for an experienced Production Supervisor, Team Leader or Assistant Production Manager looking to take the next step in their career.

You will work alongside an experienced senior management team, gain exposure to a broad range of manufacturing activities and contribute to the ongoing development of the business.

Who is Lawson Williams?

At Lawson Williams, we have supported New Zealand's manufacturing, supply, engineering and wider technical businesses for over 30 years.

We work alongside some of the country's most respected companies to connect them with leaders, technical specialists, and operational professionals who drive performance across operations, manufacturing, supply chain, engineering, quality, and technical sales functions.

For the professionals we work with, a career move through Lawson Williams means joining businesses where you can make a real impact, contribute to business improvement, and continue to grow your career over the long term.

We do not shout about what we do, but the relationships we build and the trust we earn speak for themselves.