Engineering Team Leader

Silver Fern Farms Ltd; Timaru; On-site; NZD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Heavily discounted staff meat sales

Paid sick leave from day one

Employee assistance program

Free on-site parking

Branded uniform

Training and progression

Job summary

Silver Fern Farms is seeking an Engineering Team Leader to guide a hands-on maintenance and engineering crew across site operations in Timaru. This role emphasizes safety, reliability, and achievement of production targets while fostering continuous improvement and strong team culture.

You will coach, coordinate resources, and work closely with Production Managers, Supervisors, contractors and support teams to drive operational success and compliance.

Qualifications

• A relevant trade qualification and knowledge of mechanical/engineering practices.
• Experience leading, coaching and developing teams in an industrial/manufacturing environment.
• Strong knowledge of maintenance operations, plant reliability and safety requirements.
• Excellent written, verbal and interpersonal communication skills.
• Experience driving continuous improvement and lifting team performance.
• Strong problem-solving skills and ability to work under pressure.
• Computer literacy and familiarity with maintenance management systems (CMMS).
• Knowledge of compliance requirements for plant engineering operations.

Responsibilities

• Lead a team delivering engineering maintenance and support across site operations.
• Coach and develop staff, coordinate resources, and support breakdown response.
• Promote a culture of accountability, teamwork and continuous improvement.
• Collaborate with Production Managers, Supervisors, contractors and site support teams to ensure operational success.

Skills

Trade qualification

Leadership

Maintenance operations

Plant reliability

Health & safety

Communication skills

Continuous improvement

CMMS experience

Compliance knowledge

Problem solving

Tools

CMMS

Job description

Te Tūranga / About the Role

As an Engineering Team Leader, you'll be responsible for leading a team that provides engineering maintenance and support services across site operations. You'll ensure maintenance activities are completed safely, efficiently, and effectively while supporting production targets, plant reliability, quality, and compliance requirements.

This is a hands-on leadership role where you'll coach and develop your team, coordinate engineering resources, support breakdown response, and promote a culture of accountability, teamwork, and continuous improvement. Working closely with Production Managers, Supervisors, contractors, and site support teams, you'll help ensure operational success.

Shift Pattern: Monday – Friday 7am-4.30pm. Will be available to do take calls etc outside of normal hours

Ōu Pūkenga / About You

We're looking for someone who brings strong technical capability and proven leadership experience, along with:

• A relevant trade qualification and sound knowledge of mechanical and engineering practices.
• Experience leading, coaching, and developing teams in an industrial or manufacturing environment.
• Strong knowledge of maintenance operations, plant reliability, and health and safety requirements.
• Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Experience driving continuous improvement initiatives and improving team performance.
• Strong problem‑solving skills and the ability to perform effectively under pressure.
• Computer literacy, with experience using maintenance management systems desirable.
• Knowledge of compliance requirements associated with plant engineering operations.
• A proactive, energetic approach with a strong focus on safety, quality, and productivity.

Te Ahurea / Why Work at Silver Fern Farms?

At Silver Fern Farms, we're committed to Creating Goodness from the Farms the World Needs. That's not just about what we produce, it's about how we support our people, communities, and environment.

You’ll Enjoy

• Heavily discounted staff meat sales at our on-site Butcher's Block
• Paid sick leave from day one, with no stand-down period
• Confidential employee assistance for career, financial, and personal wellbeing
• Free on-site parking
• Silver Fern Farms branded uniform where applicable
• Ongoing training, leadership development, and career progression opportunities

Tono Mai / To Apply

Silver Fern Farms welcomes applicants from all backgrounds and is committed to providing a diverse and inclusive workplace with equal opportunities for all.