Head of Process Engineering & Manufacturing Performance

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

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.