Laboratory Manager

Kerry Group; Auckland; On-site; NZD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

Kerry Group in Auckland, New Zealand is seeking a Quality Assurance leader to drive the QA function, implement Kerry's food safety and quality standards, and collaborate across manufacturing and laboratory operations. You will lead the QA team, oversee investigations, CAPA, and continuous improvement initiatives to ensure products meet regulatory and customer requirements.

The role emphasizes cross-functional collaboration, change management, and a culture of quality and food safety at the site.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in a related science field.
• 3+ years of people leadership experience within Quality Assurance and food safety.
• Strong knowledge of food safety systems, quality management principles, and regulatory requirements.
• Experience with HACCP, risk assessments, prerequisite programs, and food safety investigations.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop the Quality Control team and ensure timely testing and release activities.
• Upskill the Quality Control Team and enhance team culture.
• Manage production laboratories, maintaining resources, equipment, and consumables.
• Build cross-functional relationships to provide excellent customer service levels.
• Support prerequisite programs including pest control, sanitation, and GMP.
• Implement and maintain global food safety and quality programs in line with Kerry standards.
• Act as gatekeeper for new product introduction through the factory.
• Apply root cause analysis tools and CAPA to resolve issues and prevent recurrence.
• Utilise SPC and CpK to improve product quality and processes.

Skills

Leadership

Analytical thinking

Communication

Problem solving

Education

Bachelor's degree in a related science

Tools

SPC

CAPA

GMP

HACCP

Job description

About the role

Work Location Auckland, New Zealand
Reporting To Quality Manager

The role is responsible for leading the Quality Assurance function and ensuring the effective implementation of Kerry's global food safety, quality, and compliance standards. It is instrumental in maintaining product integrity, supporting operational excellence, and driving continuous improvement initiatives across manufacturing and laboratory operations.

As a key member of the Quality team, you will collaborate closely with cross-functional stakeholders to ensure products consistently meet customer, regulatory, and company requirements while fostering a culture of quality and food safety throughout the site.

Key responsibilities

• Lead and develop the Quality Control team, ensuring timely testing, streamlining of all product and raw material release activities.
• Upskilling of the Quality Control Team and enhancing the Team Culture.
• Manage production laboratories, maintaining resources, equipment, and consumables to deliver uninterrupted service.
• Build collaborative relationships with cross-functional teams to provide excellent customer service levels.
• Support prerequisite programs including pest control, sanitation, and GMP.
• Implement and maintain global food safety and quality programs in compliance with Kerry standards.
• Act as the gatekeeper for new product introduction (NPI) through the factory.
• Apply root cause analysis tools and corrective/preventive action (CAPA) plans to resolve issues and prevent recurrence.
• Utilise Statistical Process Control (SPC) and root cause analysis to enhance product quality and improve Process Capability Index (CpK).
• Provide leadership, management, evaluation, and training to laboratory employees.
• Conduct RCA and implement CAPA as required.

Process Quality

• Apply root cause analysis tools, and corrective and preventive action (CAPA) plans to address issues, prevent recurrence, and drive continuous improvement.
• Champion a culture of excellence by building a site-wide commitment to embedding food safety and quality into daily operations, leadership behaviours, and employee mindset. Lead by example to ensure quality is everyone's responsibility.
• Participate in continuous improvement initiatives and activities, ensuring careful planning and change management tools are applied.
• Lead non-conformance and customer complaint investigation teams, ensuring root causes are identified, CAPA implemented, and reports issued in a timely manner

Qualifications and skills

• Bachelor's Degree in Food Science, Microbiology, Chemistry, or a related scientific discipline.
• Minimum 3 years of people leadership experience within Quality Assurance and food safety in the food manufacturing industry.
• Strong knowledge of food safety systems, quality management principles, and regulatory requirements.
• Hands-on experience with HACCP, risk assessments, prerequisite programs, and food safety investigations.
• Proven ability to lead teams, influence stakeholders, and drive accountability across functions.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with experience applying RCA, CAPA, and continuous improvement methodologies.
• Knowledge of BRC, SQF, WQA, AQIS, HACCP, and GMP standards.
• Excellent communication, interpersonal, and stakeholder management skills.
• Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced manufacturing environment and manage competing priorities.
• Self-motivated with the ability to work independently while fostering collaboration across teams.
• Demonstrated success in leading change, process improvement, and quality excellence initiatives.
• Experience with Statistical Process Control (SPC), process capability analysis, and quality performance metrics.
• Familiarity with global food safety and quality frameworks within a multinational manufacturing environment.

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