Dairy Packaging Specialist - Supplier & Trials Lead

Westland Milk Products; Christchurch; On-site; NZD 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

Westland Milk Products – Christchurch, South Island is seeking a Packaging Technologist to support, maintain and improve packaging materials across Westland Milk Products and our New Zealand businesses.

Based in Christchurch, you’ll work with Innovation, Procurement, Supply Chain, Quality and Manufacturing to ensure packaging materials and documentation meet technical, regulatory and operational standards for a world‑class dairy business.

Qualifications

• A knowledge of packaging materials used in dairy, food manufacturing or FMCG environments.
• Ability to translate data into practical business decisions.
• Experience with food quality systems, supplier audits, packaging compliance documentation or sustainability frameworks is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Managing approved packaging materials, supplier documentation and packaging material specifications.
• Reviewing supplier technical data, including barrier properties, seal performance, food contact compliance, recyclability and sustainability attributes.
• Leading change management activity for packaging materials and suppliers, including risk assessment, stakeholder coordination, documentation and close‑out.
• Supporting packaging material and supplier approvals in line with Westland’s supplier approval process.
• Coordinating plant trials, shelf‑life validations and incoming goods documentation checks linked to packaging changes.
• Working with manufacturing teams to understand packaging issues on the factory floor and drive practical, timely solutions.
• Partnering with Procurement and Supply Chain to identify packaging optimisation, cost saving and continuous improvement opportunities.

Skills

Packaging materials knowledge

Analytical mindset

Strong communication

Education

Tertiary qualification in Food Technology/Engineering/Food Science/Packaging Science/Packaging Technology/Materials Science

Job description

Westland Milk Products – Christchurch, South Island is seeking a Packaging Technologist to support, maintain and improve packaging materials across Westland Milk Products and our New Zealand businesses.

Based in Christchurch, you’ll work with Innovation, Procurement, Supply Chain, Quality and Manufacturing to ensure packaging materials and documentation meet technical, regulatory and operational standards for a world‑class dairy business.