D6 Plant Operator

Westland Milk Products; Hokitika; On-site; NZD 52,000 - 72,000; Full time

Job summary

Westland Milk Products in Hokitika seeks a Plant Operator to help run our dairy plant safely and efficiently, reporting to Supervisors and the Production Manager. You’ll work on shift to meet production targets and maintain product quality.

The role offers on-the-job training, competency assessments and targeted courses, with a clear path to grow your plant expertise. Dairy industry experience is preferred, but attitude and willingness to learn matter most.

Qualifications

• Dairy industry experience is preferred but attitude and willingness to learn matter.
• Strong focus on health and safety, food safety and quality.
• Good fault-finding and problem-solving skills.
• Able to pick up new concepts quickly.
• Basic computer skills.
• Good verbal and written communication.
• Team-first attitude and willingness to learn.
• Interest in ongoing training and continuous improvement.

Responsibilities

• Operate the plant to stay on track with the production schedule and maximise product yield.
• Keep product within target specs and follow SOPs to minimise rework.
• Spot faults and solve problems, collaborating with Maintenance, Electrical and Automation teams.
• Follow safe work practices and keep the plant and areas clean and hygienic.
• Record shift information on the DMS performance board.
• Apply 5S and PDCA-style continuous improvement to reduce waste and boost performance.

Skills

Dairy industry experience

Health and safety

Fault-finding

Problem solving

Quick learner

Basic computer skills

Verbal and written communication

Team player

Education

NCEA Level 3

Job description

Plant Operator

Hokitika | Permanent | Full time

• Hands-on plant operations: help keep our plant running safely and efficiently, and on spec.
• Structured training: build your expertise through on-the-job training, competency assessments and targeted courses.
• Make a difference every shift: solve problems, improve how we work and see the results of your effort.

A Bit About The Role

We're looking for a Plant Operator to join our team at Westland Milk Products in Hokitika. You'll report to our Supervisors and ultimately to the Production Manager, and you'll help produce high-quality dairy products to the standard our customers expect.

On Shift, You'll

• Operate the plant to stay on track with the production schedule and maximise product yield
• Keep product within spec targets and limits, meet the requirements in our SOPs and keep rework to a minimum
• Spot faults and solve problems as they come up, working closely with our Maintenance, Electrical and Automation teams
• Follow safe work practices and keep the plant and work areas clean, tidy and hygienic
• Record shift information on the DMS performance board
• Bring a continuous improvement mindset, using tools such as 5S and Plan, Do, Check, Act to cut waste and improve performance

Training and development

This role comes with a clear path to build your plant expertise. You'll learn the SOPs, equipment and documentation for your area and complete competency assessments. You'll also attend targeted training, such as a Dryer skills course, and keep your quality and compliance training up to date. If you enjoy learning and growing your technical skills, you'll find plenty of opportunity here.

A Bit About You

You don't need to know everything on day one. Dairy industry experience is preferred, but your attitude, reliability and willingness to learn matter just as much.

You’ll Ideally Bring

• Experience in dairy, food manufacturing or another production or process environment
• A strong focus on health and safety, food safety and quality
• Good fault-finding and problem-solving skills
• The ability to pick up new concepts quickly
• Basic computer skills
• Good verbal and written communication
• A genuine team-first attitude
• An interest in ongoing training and continuous improvement

NCEA Level 3 (or equivalent) in Maths, English, Science and computer skills is preferable.

A Bit About Us

Westland Milk Products is a proud, end-to-end New Zealand dairy manufacturer with a heritage stretching back over 80 years and a home in the beautiful South Island. At our Hokitika site, our people turn West Coast milk into high-quality dairy products enjoyed around the world.

We're owned by Yili Group, one of the world's largest dairy companies. Together with Oceania Dairy, Pure Nutrition, Canary Foods and EasiYo, we make up the Yili Oceania group, so you'll be part of a New Zealand business with genuine global scale.

You must have valid work rights in New Zealand to be considered.