Electrician

Silver Fern Farms Ltd; Timaru; On-site; NZD 70,000 - 95,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Discounted staff meat sales

Paid sick leave from day one

BOOST employee discounts

Subsidised health insurance

Confidential support services

Free onsite parking

Company uniform

Job summary

Silver Fern Farms is seeking a Maintenance Electrician for our Pareora site in Timaru. You will deliver electrical maintenance, repairs, and technical support across the processing plant, covering PLCs, drives, instrumentation and control systems to keep equipment safe and reliable.

You will work on a rotating roster across production hours, 45 hours per week plus overtime, with flexibility for seasonal demand. Apply your problem-solving skills in a collaborative team environment.

Qualifications

• Qualified electrician with NZ Electrical Registration and practising licence.
• Experience in a fast-paced production environment and root-cause problem solving.
• Strong PLC/SCADA knowledge and control systems experience.
• Excellent fault-finding, analytical thinking, and communication skills.
• Commitment to health and safety and safe work practices.

Responsibilities

• Carry out planned electrical maintenance to ensure plant assets perform to specification.
• Diagnose and respond to electrical faults and breakdowns, restoring production safely and efficiently.
• Maintain and support PLCs, variable speed drives, instrumentation, and control systems.
• Assist with installation and commissioning of new plant and equipment.
• Promote and actively contribute to a strong health and safety culture.
• Ensure all work complies with food safety, MPI regulations, and site hygiene standards.
• Accurately record maintenance activities and contribute to continuous improvement.

Skills

PLC knowledge

SCADA systems

Fault diagnosis

Analytical thinking

Communication

Education

Electrical trade qualification

NZ Electrical Registration

Tools

Industrial electrical equipment

Job description

Te Tūranga / About the role

Our Pareora site in Timaru is the second largest within the Silver Fern Farms network, employing over 700 people at peak season. We’re seeking a capable and proactive Maintenance Electrician to join our high-performing Engineering team.

In this hands‑on role, you’ll be responsible for delivering electrical maintenance, repairs, and technical support across our processing plant. From PLCs and drives to instrumentation and control systems, you’ll play a vital role in ensuring our equipment runs safely, efficiently, and reliably.

You’ll be part of a strong, collaborative team that thrives on solving problems, improving performance, and keeping production moving.

This role operates on a rotating roster across production hours, working 45 hours per week plus overtime, covering both day and night shifts. Flexibility to meet seasonal demand is key to success in this role.

Te Mahi / Key Responsibilities

• Carry out planned electrical maintenance to ensure plant assets perform to specification
• Diagnose and respond to electrical faults and breakdowns, restoring production safely and efficiently
• Maintain and support PLCs, variable speed drives, instrumentation, and control systems
• Assist with installation and commissioning of new plant and equipment
• Promote and actively contribute to a strong health and safety culture
• Ensure all work complies with food safety, MPI regulations, and site hygiene standards
• Accurately record maintenance activities and contribute to continuous improvement

Ōu Pūkenga / About You

You’re a qualified electrician who enjoys working in a fast‑paced production environment and thrives on solving problems at their root cause.

You bring strong analytical thinking, a proactive mindset, and the ability to communicate technical information clearly to a wide range of stakeholders. You’re someone who takes ownership, works well under pressure, and contributes positively to team success.

You’ll also enjoy the variety this role offers - from breakdown response to project work and new equipment installations.

You Will Also Bring

• Current NZ Electrical Registration and practising licence
• Relevant electrical trade qualification and hands‑on industrial experience
• Strong knowledge of PLCs, SCADA systems, drives, and control systems-li>
• Excellent fault‑finding and diagnostic skills
• Good communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to explain technical issues clearly
• A strong commitment to health and safety and safe work practices
• High attention to detail and strong organisational skills
• Ability to work both independently and as part of a tight‑knit team

Te Ahurea / Why work at Silver Fern Farms?

At Silver Fern Farms, we’re driven by our purpose: Creating Goodness from the Farms the World Needs.

“Goodness” goes beyond what we produce - it’s about our people, communities, animal welfare, and respect for the environment. Our people are at the heart of everything we do.

For You, That Means

• Discounted staff meat sales through our onsite Butcher’s Block
• Paid sick leave from day one
• BOOST employee retail discount scheme
• Subsidised health insurance
• Confidential support services (career, financial, and wellbeing)
• Free onsite parking and full company uniform

Silver Fern Farms welcomes people from all backgrounds and walks of life. We’re proud of our inclusive culture and are committed to equal opportunities for all.