Head Of Process Engineering

Open Country Dairy Ltd; Auckland; On-site; NZD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

Open Country Dairy Ltd. in Auckland seeks a Head of Process Engineering to lead capability and standards across our manufacturing network. You will drive yields, throughput, product quality and profitability while shaping capital investments and technology solutions with lasting impact.

You’ll provide functional leadership to site-based Process Engineers within a matrix structure, working with Site Managers to align engineering goals with business performance. Applications close 22 November 2026.

Qualifications

• Engineering degree in process, chemical, mechanical or food engineering.
• Experience in dairy/food manufacturing processes.
• Capital project delivery experience from design through commissioning.
• Strong coaching and stakeholder influence through technical credibility.
• Structured problem solving with commercial judgement and balancing standards.

Responsibilities

• Lead manufacturing performance: deliver yield, throughput and product-mix improvements and validate financial benefits.
• Drive capital and technology initiatives, develop robust business cases and prioritise investments across the network.
• Oversee process design, specifications and performance validation from concept through commissioning and handover.

Skills

Process engineering leadership

Stakeholder influence

Coaching engineers

Structured problem solving

Commercial judgement

Education

Tertiary qualification in Process/Chemical/Mechanical or Food Engineering

Job description

• Lead process engineering capability and standards across our manufacturing network.
• Drive measurable gains in yield, throughput, product quality and profitability.
• Shape capital investment and technology solutions with lasting operational impact.

Open Country is seeking a Head of Process Engineering, based in East Tamaki and reporting to the GM Engineering & Business Performance.

You will provide functional leadership to site-based Process Engineers within a matrix structure, working alongside Site Managers who retain direct line management responsibility.

What You’ll Lead

• Manufacturing performance: Identify and deliver yield, throughput and product-mix improvements, reduce production losses and validate the financial benefits.
• Capital and technology: Contribute to the five-year capital plan, develop robust technical business cases and help prioritise investment opportunities.
• Project delivery: Lead process design, specifications and performance validation from concept through commissioning and handover, ensuring plants achieve their designed outcomes.
• Integrated improvement: Partner with automation, reliability, business improvement and site teams to improve plant performance and reduce product variability.
• Technical capability: Coach site-based engineers, establish consistent engineering standards and build capability across the network.
• Process safety: Champion safe, hygienic process design and operation, including capital assets and contractor compliance.

What You’ll Bring

• A tertiary qualification in Process, Chemical, Mechanical or Food Engineering, or a related discipline.
• Manufacturing process engineering experience, preferably in dairy or food.
• Capital project delivery experience, from design through commissioning.
• Proven ability to coach engineers and influence stakeholders through technical credibility and clear communication.
• Structured problem-solving, commercial judgement and the ability to balance network standards with site needs.

Multi-site or matrix leadership, yield and throughput optimisation experience, and postgraduate qualifications or Chartered Engineer status are desirable.

Why this role?

Bring your technical expertise to a role combining strategic influence with hands-on delivery across multiple manufacturing sites.

Applications close 22 November 2026 or on appointment.