Experienced Machine Operator – Brewery Packaging – b.effect

Brewers Guild; Wānaka; On-site; NZD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

b.effect in Wānaka, Otago is seeking an Experienced Machine Operator to lead our canning and packaging line. You will drive operation, setup, changes and maintenance as we automate more of the line, with a focus on reliability and quality.

The role offers a path toward a packaging and automation specialist position and long-term growth in a vibrant brewery environment. We welcome candidates with machine operating experience from food, beverage, packaging or manufacturing, even if brewery

Qualifications

• Minimum 2 years’ relevant experience operating production machinery.

Responsibilities

• Operate can filler/seamer and associated packaging equipment.
• Set up, start, operate and shut down machinery.
• Complete product changeovers and machine adjustments.
• Monitor machinery and keep the line running efficiently.
• Troubleshoot faults, breakdowns and stoppages.
• Conduct routine maintenance, cleaning, lubrication and basic mechanical repairs.
• Identify recurring faults and opportunities to improve performance.
• Monitor fills, seams, carbonation and finished product quality.
• Manage production runs, records and associated inventory movements.
• Follow Quality, Food Safety and Health & Safety programmes.
• Assist with installation, commissioning and optimisation of new machinery.

Job description

Experienced Machine Operator – Brewery Packaging – b.effect

Experienced Machine Operator – Brewery Packaging

b.effect | Wānaka, Otago | Full Time

$65,000–$90,000 per annum, depending on experience

Minimum 40 guaranteed hours per week

Know how to get a machine humming?

b.effect is looking for an experienced machine operator to join our brewery team in Wānaka and take ownership of our growing canning and packaging operation.

We’re investing in new equipment and progressively automating our packaging line. We need someone who understands how to operate production machinery well – setting it up, monitoring performance, making adjustments, troubleshooting faults and keeping production moving.

You don’t need brewery experience. You might currently work in food or beverage production, packaging, manufacturing, engineering, plastics, timber or another production environment.

What matters is that you have experience operating production machinery, you’re mechanically minded and you’re good at getting machines running at their best.

About b.effect

We’re an independent craft brewery based in Wānaka, producing beer and kombucha.

Our purpose is to bring people together and help build better communities. Our mission is to produce the best quality beverages, deliver unmatched service and rewarding experiences.

Our values guide how we work: Care for it. Embrace it. Own it. Simplify it. Deliver it.

What you’ll be doing

You’ll take responsibility for the day-to-day operation of our canning and packaging line, including:

• Operating our can filler/seamer and associated packaging equipment
• Setting up, starting, operating and shutting down machinery
• Completing product changeovers and machine adjustments
• Monitoring machinery and keeping the line running efficiently
• Troubleshooting faults, breakdowns and stoppages
• Routine maintenance, cleaning, lubrication and basic mechanical repairs
• Identifying recurring faults, bottlenecks and opportunities to improve performance
• Monitoring fills, seams, carbonation and finished product quality
• Managing production runs, records and associated inventory movements
• Following our Quality, Food Safety and Health & Safety programmes
• General warehousing, kegging, packaging and movement of finished product
• Helping install, commission and optimise new machinery as we automate

What we’re looking for

A minimum of 2 years’ relevant experience operating production or manufacturing machinery is required for this role.

You’ll bring:

• Experience as a machine operator, production operator or similar
• Strong mechanical aptitude and practical problem-solving skills
• Experience setting up, adjusting and troubleshooting machinery
• Ability to recognise when machinery isn’t operating correctly and work out why
• Confidence carrying out basic mechanical adjustments and maintenance
• An interest in machinery, automation and technology
• Strong attention to quality, safety and detail
• A hands‑on attitude and willingness to get involved
• Ability to take ownership of a production line and its performance

Experience with automated packaging equipment, preventative maintenance, food or beverage production, canning or bottling would be an advantage.

Brewery experience is not required – machine operating experience is more important to us.

Where this role can go

This is bigger than simply operating our canning machine.

As we introduce more automation, you’ll help commission it, learn it, troubleshoot it and optimise it. We want you to become the person who understands our packaging equipment and knows how to get the whole line humming.

For the right person, there’s an opportunity to grow into b.effect’s packaging and automation specialist.

We’re looking for someone who wants to make Wānaka home, build a career here and become a long‑term part of what we’re building.

We welcome applications from New Zealand citizens and residents, people who already hold the right to work in New Zealand, and suitably experienced international candidates.

For the right candidate, b.effect may be able to support an Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) application, subject to Immigration New Zealand requirements and the applicant meeting all relevant visa requirements.

If you’re an experienced machine operator who enjoys fixing problems, improving equipment and getting a production line humming, we’d like to hear from you.