Department Team Leader Cleaning & Sanitation

Silver Fern Farms Ltd; Hokitika; On-site; NZD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Leadership development opportunities

Supportive team environment

Competitive remuneration

Employee wellbeing initiatives

Career growth within a leading NZ food

Job summary

Silver Fern Farms Ltd is seeking a Department Team Leader in Hokitika, New Zealand. You will lead and develop a production team, ensure safe and efficient operations, and drive continuous improvement while reporting to the Processing Manager. Evening shift patterns will occur with a 45-hour week during peak seasons.

The role emphasizes people leadership, coaching, and strong collaboration across functions to meet quality, safety, and customer requirements.

Responsibilities

• Leading, coaching, and developing team members to achieve departmental objectives.
• Driving compliance with food safety, hygiene, quality, and sanitation standards.
• Building and maintaining a strong health and safety culture.
• Monitoring team performance and providing regular feedback and development.
• Coordinating daily operational requirements and communicating clear expectations.
• Supporting continuous improvement initiatives through the Streamline programme.
• Ensuring compliance with customer, regulatory, MPI, and company requirements.
• Working collaboratively with production, engineering, quality assurance, and site leadership teams.
• Managing departmental performance, reporting, and operational KPIs.
• Supporting sustainability and waste reduction initiatives across the department.

Job description

Te Tūranga | About the Role

As a Department Team Leader, you'll be responsible for leading and developing a team while ensuring production support activities are completed safely, efficiently, and to the highest standards. You will provide leadership, coaching, and direction to team members while fostering a culture of accountability, teamwork, and continuous improvement. This role is directly reporting into the Processing Manager.

Shift pattern: Usually, 45 hours per week.

Evening shifts varying between 2:00pm and 11:00pm or 11:00pm and 5:00am, depending on the season.

Key Responsibilities Include

• Leading, coaching, and developing team members to achieve departmental objectives.
• Driving compliance with food safety, hygiene, quality, and sanitation standards.
• Building and maintaining a strong health and safety culture.
• Monitoring team performance and providing regular feedback and development.
• Coordinating daily operational requirements and communicating clear expectations.
• Supporting continuous improvement initiatives through the Streamline programme.
• Ensuring compliance with customer, regulatory, MPI, and company requirements.
• Working collaboratively with production, engineering, quality assurance, and site leadership teams.
• Managing departmental performance, reporting, and operational KPIs.
• Supporting sustainability and waste reduction initiatives across the department.

Ōu Pūkenga | About You

We're looking for an experienced people leader who can motivate teams, uphold high standards, and deliver results in a dynamic operational environment.

You’ll Bring

• Previous leadership or supervisory experience within manufacturing, processing, sanitation, hygiene, or a related operational environment.
• Strong communication, coaching, and people leadership skills.
• A commitment to health, safety, food safety, and quality.
• Excellent problem-solving and decision-making capability.
• The ability to build high-performing teams and foster a positive team culture.
• Strong attention to detail and compliance focus.
• Confidence engaging with auditors, regulatory bodies, and key stakeholders.
• The ability to manage competing priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Intermediate technology and reporting skills.

Te Ahurea | Why Silver Fern Farms?

At Silver Fern Farms we're all about creating goodness from the farms the world needs.

Join a business that values its people, invests in leadership development, and provides opportunities to grow your career. You'll work alongside dedicated teams committed to delivering safe, high-quality products while making a meaningful contribution to New Zealand's food industry.

We Offer

• Ongoing leadership development opportunities.
• A supportive team environment.
• Competitive remuneration.
• Employee benefits and wellbeing initiatives.
• Career growth within one of New Zealand's leading food companies.

Silver Fern Farms is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace where everyone can thrive. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and experiences.