Food Process Worker / Machine Operator

Aotearoa New Zealand Association of Social Workers; Palmerston North; On-site; NZD 30,000 - 39,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

4-day working week

Job summary

Palmerston North is recruiting an experienced Food Process Worker / Machine Operator for a busy food manufacturing operation. The role requires proven experience in food manufacturing or processing and a strong understanding of hygiene standards and safety.

You will operate and monitor production machinery, follow recipes and production instructions, and help maintain quality and hygiene across the process. A reliable work history and good English communication are essential.

Qualifications

• Previous food manufacturing or processing experience.
• Good understanding of food hygiene, cleaning and contamination controls.
• Practical/mechanical mindset and confidence around machinery.
• Good reading, writing and basic math skills.
• Good English communication skills – understand procedures and complete induction assessment.

Responsibilities

• Operate and monitor production machinery and processes.
• Follow recipes, production instructions and set processes.
• Work within a busy food manufacturing and processing environment.
• Complete basic counting, measurements and production documentation.
• Maintain high food hygiene standards and clean equipment.

Skills

Food manufacturing experience

Machinery operation

Food hygiene knowledge

English literacy

Tools

Production machinery

Job description

Palmerston North | Tuesday–Friday | 6:00am–4:30pm | 4-Day Working Week

We’re looking for an experienced Food Process Worker / Machine Operator to join a well-established food manufacturing operation in Palmerston North.

This isn’t an entry-level process role. We’re looking for someone who has proven experience working in food manufacturing or food processing and understands the standards, hygiene requirements and responsibility that come with producing food products.

What you’ll be doing

Working within a busy food manufacturing and processing environment

Following recipes, production instructions and set processes

Operating and monitoring production machinery

Completing basic counting, measurements and production documentation

Cleaning equipment and maintaining high food hygiene standards

Identifying when something isn’t running correctly and communicating this to supervisors

Understanding how your part of the process can impact production upstream and downstream

Working at pace while maintaining quality and safety standards

What we’re looking for

The key requirement is previous food manufacturing or food processing experience.

You’ll also need:

Proven experience within a food production environment

Good understanding of food hygiene, cleaning and contamination controls

A practical/mechanical mindset and confidence around machinery

Good reading, writing and basic math's skills

Good English communication skills – you’ll need to understand written procedures and complete an induction assessment

Confidence to speak up when something doesn’t look right

A good sense of urgency and ability to keep up with production

Reliable transport to get to work for a 6:00am start

Good personal presentation and hygiene

A reliable work history with referees available

Most importantly, we want someone who understands why processes matter. Our client is continuing to lift standards across their operation, so they value people who bring good habits from previous food manufacturing environments and aren’t afraid to raise concerns or suggest improvements.

Hours

Tuesday to Friday – 6:00am to 4:30pm

That’s a 4-day working week with 10-hour shifts, giving you a three-day weekend.

The opportunity may initially be casual/temporary, with the potential to develop into a permanent position for the right person.

Pre-employment requirements

Successful applicants will be required to complete our pre-employment process, which may include:

Reference checks with recent managers/supervisors

Ministry of Justice check

Pre-employment drug testing

Site induction and assessment

If you’ve worked in food manufacturing, food processing, production or machine operation and take pride in doing things properly, we’d like to hear from you.

Your application will include the following questions:

• Which of the following statements best describes your right to work in New Zealand?
• How many years' experience do you have as a Food Process Worker?
• How much notice are you required to give your current employer?
• Have you worked in a role which requires a sound understanding of Food Safety Standards?
• Do you have Food Manufacturing experience?