Engineering Team Leader

Silver Fern Farms Ltd; Timaru; On-site; NZD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Silver Fern Farms Ltd is seeking an Engineering Team Leader in Timaru to guide a hands-on maintenance team across site operations. You will coach staff, coordinate resources, and support breakdown response while ensuring safety and alignment with production targets.

You will drive continuous improvement, uphold plant reliability, and promote strong health and safety practices. The role communicates with Production Managers, supervisors and contractors to secure operational success.

Qualifications

• Trade qualification with mechanical/engineering knowledge.
• Experience leading teams in industrial/manufacturing settings.
• Strong knowledge of maintenance operations, plant reliability, and HSE.
• Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication.
• Experience driving continuous improvement initiatives and boosting team performance.
• Strong problem-solving skills under pressure.
• Computer literacy; maintenance management systems desirable.
• Knowledge of compliance requirements for plant operations.
• Proactive focus on safety, quality and productivity.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop the engineering maintenance team across site operations.
• Ensure maintenance is performed safely, efficiently, and to quality standards.
• Coordinate engineering resources and support breakdown response.
• Work with Production Managers and supervisors to meet targets.
• Promote accountability, teamwork and continuous improvement.
• Collaborate with contractors and site support teams for operational success.

Skills

Team leadership

Maintenance operations

Plant reliability

Health and safety

Communication skills

Continuous improvement

Problem-solving

Computer literacy

Compliance requirements

Safety-focused

Education

Trade qualification (mechanical/engineering)

Tools

Maintenance management systems

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

• 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

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