Operations Quality Assurance Officer - Rolleston

Westland Milk Products; Rolleston; On-site; NZD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Westland Milk Products is seeking an Operations Quality Assurance Officer in Rolleston to safeguard product quality on the factory floor. You will partner with production teams to ensure safe, consistent, and high-quality dairy products.

The role involves day-to-day QA support, audits, and driving improvements in GMP, HACCP, and food safety practices while coaching operators to elevate quality culture across the operation.

Qualifications

• Experience in food, dairy, or FMCG manufacturing.
• Knowledge of GMP, HACCP, food safety and quality systems.
• Strong communication and collaboration with production teams.

Responsibilities

• Conducting pre-operational inspections, start-up verifications, and in-process quality checks.
• Supporting food safety, GMP, hygiene, and compliance requirements.
• Monitoring critical control points and quality systems.
• Investigating non-conformances and supporting corrective actions.
• Reviewing quality records and ensuring documentation integrity.
• Assisting with internal, customer, and regulatory audits.
• Coaching and supporting operators to strengthen quality and food safety practices.
• Contributing to continuous improvement initiatives that reduce waste and improve operational performance.

Skills

Attention to detail

Communication skills

Problem-solving

Team collaboration

Education

Food Technology / Dairy Science / Quality

Job description

Operations Quality Assurance Officer - Rolleston

Operations Quality Assurance Officer

Are you passionate about food safety, quality, and making a tangible difference on the factory floor?

We're looking for an Operations Quality Assurance Officer to join our team in Rolleston. This hands-on role is at the heart of our manufacturing operation, partnering closely with production teams to ensure our products are produced safely, consistently, and to the highest quality standards. This role is based on the factory floor, where you'll play a critical part in driving a strong quality culture and helping us achieve excellence every day.

About the Role

Reporting to the Operations Quality Lead, you'll provide day-to-day quality assurance support across manufacturing operations. You'll work alongside production teams to identify risks, maintain compliance, verify quality standards, and support continuous improvement initiatives.

Key responsibilities include:

• Conducting pre-operational inspections, start-up verifications, and in-process quality checks
• Supporting food safety, GMP, hygiene, and compliance requirements
• Monitoring critical control points and quality systems
• Investigating non-conformances and supporting corrective actions
• Reviewing quality records and ensuring documentation integrity
• Assisting with internal, customer, and regulatory audits
• Coaching and supporting operators to strengthen quality and food safety practices
• Contributing to continuous improvement initiatives that reduce waste and improve operational performance.

What You'll Bring

We're looking for someone who is detail-focused, proactive, and comfortable working closely with manufacturing teams.

You'll ideally have:

• A qualification in Food Technology, Dairy Science, Quality, or a related discipline
• Experience within food, dairy, or FMCG manufacturing
• Knowledge of GMP, HACCP, food safety, and quality systems
• Strong communication skills and the ability to build credibility with operational teams
• A practical, solutions-focused approach
• Confidence to challenge non-compliant behaviours constructively
• The ability to thrive in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.

Why Join Us?

This is an excellent opportunity to be part of a team dedicated to producing world-class dairy products while maintaining the highest standards of food safety and quality. You'll work alongside knowledgeable colleagues, gain exposure to industry-leading quality systems, and contribute to continuous improvement initiatives that make a real impact.

If you're passionate about quality, enjoy being close to operations, and want to play a key role in ensuring products meet the highest standards, we'd love to hear from you.