Making Operator

TRS Staffing Solutions; Wellington; On-site; NZD 60,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

Whittaker’s in New Zealand is seeking a Making Operator to join the team responsible for turning favourite chocolate into the finished product. You'll operate and monitor roasting and chocolate-making processes, keeping an eye on equipment, process conditions and product quality to ensure safe, efficient output.

You will work Tuesday to Friday, 1.00pm to 10.00pm, and Saturday, 9.00am to 3.30pm, with some flexibility.

Qualifications

• Experience in running manufacturing/processing lines or machine operation.
• Strong safety mindset and adherence to procedures.
• Reliable attendance and punctuality.
• Ability to complete production and quality documentation accurately.
• Experience with GMP/food safety is advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Operate roasting and chocolate-making equipment in accordance with SOPs.
• Monitor process performance, equipment conditions, product flow and quality.
• Carry out routine operational and quality checks.
• Identify and troubleshoot routine process or equipment issues, escalating where required.
• Complete production, quality and compliance records accurately.
• Prepare, clean and maintain equipment and work areas for production.
• Maintain high standards of GMP, hygiene, food safety and housekeeping.
• Communicate effectively with team members and support the wider production operation.
• Participate in training, cross-skilling and continuous improvement activities.

Skills

Machine operation

Manufacturing experience

Food production experience

Safety-focused

Attention to detail

Documentation

Teamwork

Problem-solving

Willingness to learn

Job description

The Company: Whittaker’s is New Zealand’s biggest chocolate manufacturer and has won New Zealand’s ‘Most Trusted Brand’ 14 times in a row. They live by the belief that ‘best is always better’, insisting on using only the finest ingredients, the best methods, most precise machinery, and the best people to keep making good honest chocolate.

The Opportunity: We’re looking for a Making Operator to join the team responsible for turning some of New Zealand’s favourite chocolate into the finished product. Working as part of the Making team, you’ll operate and monitor the roasting and chocolate-making processes, keeping a close eye on equipment, process conditions and product quality to make sure everything is running safely, efficiently and to spec.

You’ll be on the floor, working with complex machinery and processes, solving problems when things don’t go to plan and knowing when something needs to be escalated. You’ll be trained in Whittaker’s processes, but you do need to be someone who takes pride in accuracy and wants to build their technical skillset.

Day to day, you will:

• Operate roasting and chocolate-making equipment in accordance with SOPs
• Monitor process performance, equipment conditions, product flow and quality
• Carry out routine operational and quality checks
• Identify and troubleshoot routine process or equipment issues, escalating where required
• Complete production, quality and compliance records accurately
• Prepare, clean and maintain equipment and work areas for production
• Maintain high standards of GMP, hygiene, food safety and housekeeping
• Communicate effectively with team members and support the wider production operation
• Participate in training, cross-skilling and continuous improvement activities

The role will work Tuesday to Friday, 1.00pm to 10.00pm, and Saturday, 9.00am to 3.30pm. Some flexibility with hours is required to meet operational requirements.

You, the Candidate: The ideal candidate for this role will have previous experience in a manufacturing, processing, machine operation or production environment. Food manufacturing experience would be highly advantageous, however candidates from other technically focused GMP manufacturing environments will also be considered.

You might come from food, dairy, beverage, packaging or another industrial manufacturing environment. What matters most is that you understand what it means to operate a process, follow procedures, monitor equipment and product, and act as a reliable team member.

The successful candidate will also have the following skills and attributes:

• Previous experience in running manufacturing/processing lines, food production, or machine operation
• A strong safety-first mindset and commitment to following procedures
• Excellent reliability, attendance and punctuality
• Strong attention to detail and ability to accurately complete production and quality documentation
• Experience working within quality, GMP, food safety or hygiene requirements would be advantageous
• Practical problem-solving and fault-finding skills, and the ability to identify and escalation issues appropriately
• Good communication skills and the ability to work effectively as part of a team
• A willingness to learn new processes, equipment and technical skills
• Comfortable working in a physically demanding manufacturing environment

We look forward to hearing from you!

Please note: To be eligible for this role, you must hold current working rights in NZ. You must also be willing to undertake and return a satisfactory Ministry of Justice Criminal History check and undergo a pre-employment medical including a Drug & Alcohol Screening.