Electrical Engineering Manager

Silver Fern Farms; Christchurch; On-site; NZD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

Silver Fern Farms seeks an experienced Electrical Engineering Manager to lead the electrical, automation and control systems strategy across its national network. You will provide technical leadership to multiple sites, setting engineering standards and driving continuous improvement to ensure safe, reliable and future-ready electrical systems.

You'll work with Site Engineering Managers, project teams and operations leaders to guide major capital projects, compliance, automation strategy and

Qualifications

• Significant industrial electrical engineering experience across manufacturing or multi-site operations.
• Strong knowledge of electrical systems, automation, PLC/SCADA and plant controls.
• Experience supporting capital projects, engineering standards and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Excellent leadership, communication and stakeholder management skills.
• A strong understanding of electrical safety, risk management and compliance requirements.
• Experience in food manufacturing or meat processing is advantageous but not essential.

Responsibilities

• Lead electrical, automation and control systems strategy across the network.
• Provide technical oversight for major projects, plant upgrades and commissioning.
• Drive electrical safety, compliance and engineering standards.
• Support sites with fault finding and reliability improvement.
• Champion new technologies to improve safety and efficiency.
• Lead and develop a team of electrical and automation specialists.

Skills

Electrical leadership

Plant controls

Automation systems

Stakeholder management

Safety & compliance

Tools

PLC/SCADA

Electrical safety systems

Job description

Jora New Zealand will close on 9th September 2026. Thank you for being with us, we are cheering you on as you continue your career journey.

We\'re looking for an experienced Electrical Engineering Manager to lead the future of electrical, automation and control systems across Silver Fern Farms\' national network.

This is a national role, reporting to the Asset & Risk Manager where you\'ll provide technical leadership across multiple sites, setting engineering standards, driving continuous improvement, and ensuring our electrical systems remain safe, reliable and fit for the future. You\'ll work closely with Site Engineering Managers, project teams and operational leaders, providing expert guidance on everything from major capital projects and compliance to automation strategy and plant performance.

This is a rare opportunity to combine strategic influence with hands- on technical leadership, helping shape the future of engineering across one of New Zealand\'s leading food manufacturers.

• Lead the organisation\'s electrical, automation and control systems strategy.
• Provide technical oversight for major projects, plant upgrades and commissioning activities.
• Drive electrical safety, compliance and engineering standards across the network.
• Support sites with complex fault finding, reliability improvement and technical problem solving.
• Champion new technologies that improve safety, efficiency and operational performance.
• Lead and develop a team of electrical and automation specialists while influencing engineering capability across the business.

You\'re a technically sound engineering leader who enjoys solving complex problems, influencing stakeholders and driving practical outcomes. You can see the big picture while providing expert support when it matters most.

To be successful in this role, you\'ll bring:

• Significant industrial electrical engineering experience, ideally across manufacturing or multi-site operations.
• Strong knowledge of electrical systems, automation, PLC/SCADA and plant controls.
• Experience supporting capital projects, engineering standards and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Excellent leadership, communication and stakeholder management skills.
• A strong understanding of electrical safety, risk management and compliance requirements.
• Experience within food manufacturing, meat processing or refrigeration environments would be advantageous but is not essential.

Te Ahurea /Why work at Silver Fern Farms?

Silver Fern Farms are all about Creating Goodness from the Farms the World Needs. Creating goodness is about taking a broader view of what goodness means and how we can create it and the impact it can have. That Goodness is created through the work of our People, the skill & expertise of our Farmers and our customers around the globe. 'Goodness' is also about being good to people and communities, animal welfare, and showing care and respect for the environment.

Silver Fern Farms welcomes people from all backgrounds and walks of life. We are proud to have a diverse and inclusive environment and are committed to providing equal opportunities for all team members and applicants. Come and create goodness together with us. You can see more about our commitments to our people and their work by visiting our Belong Here webpage: https://careers.silverfernfarms.com/nz/en/belong-here