Maintenance Shift Engineer

Silver Fern Farms Limited; Balclutha; On-site; NZD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Supportive team environment

Employee benefits and wellbeing

Career growth opportunities

Job summary

Silver Fern Farms in Balclutha, NZ is seeking a Shift Engineer to join a high-performing engineering team. You will manage day-to-day refrigeration operations, water services and site systems within a large-scale factory environment.

The role involves planned and reactive maintenance, with a 45-hour rotating roster across shifts. You will lead safety-focused operations and drive reliability while maintaining compliance with regulatory standards.

Qualifications

• Experience in refrigeration, ammonia systems, or industrial engineering environments.
• Strong fault-finding with a practical, solutions-focused mindset.
• Solid maintenance principles in industrial settings.
• Experience with chillers, cold stores, compressors, or heat pumps.
• Able to work independently and in a team.
• Well-organised with good problem-solving and communication skills.
• Relevant Level 3 or 4 qualification in Refrigeration & Air Conditioning (advantageous).

Responsibilities

• Oversee day-to-day operation of refrigeration systems, water reticulation, and site services.
• Carry out planned and reactive maintenance to minimise downtime.
• Respond to breakdowns to restore equipment quickly and safely.
• Maintain smooth operation of refrigeration, ammonia, compressed air, and water services.
• Promote a strong health & safety culture through leadership.
• Ensure compliance with MPI food hygiene and regulatory standards in controlled areas.

Skills

Refrigeration experience

Ammonia systems

Industrial maintenance

Fault finding

Teamwork

Communication

Problem solving

Education

Refrigeration & AC cert

Job description

Silver Fern Farms Finegand is on the lookout for a skilled Shift Engineer to join our high-performing engineering team.

Based in Balclutha, our Finegand site is the second largest in our network, employing over 1200 people at peak season. This is a fantastic opportunity to apply your refrigeration expertise in a large-scale industrial environment, supporting critical site services and plant operations.

You’ll be working a rotating 45-hour roster (morning, mid, and afternoon shifts) giving you variety and exposure across operations.

Take ownership of the day-to-day operation of refrigeration systems, water reticulation, and essential site services

Carry out planned and reactive maintenance to minimise downtime and optimise plant reliability

Respond to breakdowns efficiently, ensuring equipment is restored to full capacity quickly and safely

Maintain the smooth and reliable operation of key systems including refrigeration, ammonia, compressed air, and water services

Actively contribute to and promote a strong health & safety culture through participation and leadership

Ensure full compliance with MPI food hygiene and regulatory standards when working in controlled areas

• Proven experience in refrigeration, ammonia systems, or industrial engineering environments
• Strong fault-finding ability with a practical, solutions-focused mindset
• Solid understanding of maintenance principles in industrial settings
• Experience working with equipment such as chillers, cold stores, compressors, or heat pumps
• Ability to work both independently and as part of a team
• Well-organised with strong problem-solving and communication skills
• Relevant Level 3 or 4 (or higher) qualification in Refrigeration & Air Conditioning (advantageous)

Te Ahurea | Why Silver Fern Farms?

At Silver Fern Farms we're all about creating goodness from the farms the world needs.

Join a business that values its people, invests in leadership development, and provides opportunities to grow your career. You'll work alongside dedicated teams committed to delivering safe, high-quality products while making a meaningful contribution to New Zealand's food industry.

We offer:

• A supportive team environment.
• Competitive remuneration.
• Employee benefits and wellbeing initiatives.
• Career growth within one of New Zealand's leading food companies.

If you're a motivated leader with a passion for people, safety, quality, and operational excellence, we'd love to hear from you.

Silver Fern Farms is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace where everyone can thrive. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and experiences.