Junior Manufacturing Manager

seek.co.nz; Christchurch; On-site; NZD 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Career growth

Culture building

Supportive environment

Job summary

Jora New Zealand is seeking a full-time, hands-on Junior Manufacturing Manager to oversee day-to-day operations at our Christchurch manufacturing facility.

This entry-level leadership role supports team leaders and staff to keep production running safely and efficiently in an ISO-accredited environment.

You will work with management on staffing, production issues, and continuous improvement while fostering a positive and productive team.

Qualifications

• Minimum 1 year of supervisory or team leadership experience in manufacturing.
• Degree in Operations Management or a related field is preferred.
• Good communication and problem-solving skills.

Responsibilities

• Supervise and support a small but growing team on-site.
• Act as on-site manager and ensure production meets KPI targets.
• Coordinate real-time task prioritization and resource allocation.
• Support onboarding and development of new hires.

Skills

Team leadership

Operations management

Education

Operations Management degree

Job description

Jora New Zealand will close on 9th September 2026. Thank you for being with us, we are cheering you on as you continue your career journey.

We are seeking a full-time, hands-on, results focused Junior Manufacturing Manager to oversee the day-to-day operations within our Christchurch based manufacturing facility. This is an entry level leadership role for someone who understands effective people management in an operational setting. The key priorities being to support team leaders and the wider staffing group in ensuring the operation is running efficiently smoothly — all the while cultivating a positive and productive team in an ISO accredited environment.

You’ll work closely with management to ensure the site runs effectively, and serve as the responsible person for all things facility related. This will include staffing and resourcing, production or machinery issues, team dynamics and ad hoc problems as they arise.

Overview

We are seeking a full-time, hands-on, results focused Junior Manufacturing Manager to oversee the day-to-day operations within our Christchurch based manufacturing facility. This is an entry level leadership role for someone who understands effective people management in an operational setting. The key priorities being to support team leaders and the wider staffing group in ensuring the operation is running efficiently smoothly — all the while cultivating a positive and productive team in an ISO accredited environment.

You’ll work closely with management to ensure the site runs effectively, and serve as the responsible person for all things facility related. This will include staffing and resourcing, production or machinery issues, team dynamics and ad hoc problems as they arise.

Key Responsibilities

• Team Oversight & Support
  • Supervise and support a small yet growing team, including experienced team leads and operators.
  • Act as the on-site manager.
  • Operate where required to ensure customer expectations are met.
• Operational Coordination
  • Ensure daily production and task goals are met safely meeting set KPI’s, and to ISO quality standards.
  • Prioritise tasks and assign resources in real-time as issues arise or priorities shift.
  • Foresee and plan for workload demands
  • See to continually improve processes where required.
• Communication & Reporting
  • Serve as the liaison between the on-site team and remote management.
  • Provide daily and weekly updates: team performance, manufacturing related matters, downtime and wins.
  • Ensure clear and respectful communication flows across shifts and team roles.
• Training & Development
  • Assist in onboarding and upskilling new hires or developing current team members.
  • Help team leads develop their leadership capabilities through mentorship and feedback.
• Accountability & Safety
  • Ensure site-wide adherence to safety protocols, operational procedures and company policies.
  • Cultivate a culture of accountability for performance standards and step in to realign as needed.

What you will bring

• At least 1 year of supervisory or team leadership experience in a manufacturing setting or similar environment, or relevant degree in Operations Management.
• A positive and supportive, hands-on approach
• A pro-active problem-solving mindset, decision-making ability.
• Effective communication skills, foster a positive driven and efficient culture
• The ability to adapt to challenges in a fast-paced environment.
• An eagerness to grow and learn in a dynamic company.
• A professional attitude, you understand the importance of leading by example.

What We Offer

• Career growth opportunities within a scaling operation
• Make your mark in a young business, create the culture and drive operational success
• A supportive environment where leadership and initiative are valued

About the company

The company was created to combat environmental and financial waste by manufacturing a sustainable product. This both reduces landfill waste and carbon emissions, as well as the actual costs - meaning more people get access to the product as a result of our work - and the planet benefits too. If sustainability is a passion of yours this is the place for you.