Dairy Production Manager — Lead 24/7 Ops & Quality

Abbott Laboratories; Pokeno; On-site; NZD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Abbott Laboratories is seeking a Production Manager for its New Zealand Pokeno Plant in Waikato. The role leads the production plant and lines, overseeing safety, quality, process reliability, and people development across shifts.

The successful candidate will have a tertiary degree or diploma in a related field, 3+ years of spray drying experience in a nutritional dairy setting, and proven leadership capabilities. Compliance with food safety/HACCP and mandatory training is required.

Qualifications

• 3+ years of leadership or management experience in a dairy/manufacturing environment.
• Strong knowledge of dairy manufacturing processes and systems.
• Proven knowledge of Food Safety and HACCP systems.
• Capability to ensure timesheet completion and mandatory training compliance.

Responsibilities

• Provide 24-hour, multi-shift leadership for production lines.
• Ensure H&S performance and culture across lines and teams.
• Ensure process reliability and delivery of deployed targets.
• Deliver standards and drive team development, succession planning and capability building.
• Maintain product quality measures and engagement with shifts and personnel.

Skills

Leadership experience

Dairy manufacturing knowledge

HACCP & Food safety

Team development & engagement

Education

Tertiary degree or diploma in related field

Job description

Abbott Laboratories is seeking a Production Manager for its New Zealand Pokeno Plant in Waikato. The role leads the production plant and lines, overseeing safety, quality, process reliability, and people development across shifts.

The successful candidate will have a tertiary degree or diploma in a related field, 3+ years of spray drying experience in a nutritional dairy setting, and proven leadership capabilities. Compliance with food safety/HACCP and mandatory training is required.