Packing Operations Lead — High-Performance Dairy Lines

Westland Milk Products; Hokitika; Remote; NZD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Westland Milk Products seeks a Packing Technician Lead to own the heart of the Hokitika site’s packaging operation. You will manage Butter WAL, Benhil, GEA Avapac, and JMP robotic systems, ensuring safe, high‑performing lines and strong asset reliability.

You’ll mentor a dedicated shifts and maintenance team in a 24/7 environment, driving safety, quality, and continuous improvement. You bring hands‑on technical leadership, diagnostic and troubleshooting skills, and a collaborative approach to

Qualifications

• Seasoned packaging/engineering professional with hands-on maintenance and reliability experience.
• Ability to lead from the floor, guide teams, and prioritise work.
• Formal engineering qualifications and diagnostics/troubleshooting experience.

Responsibilities

• Lead a 24/7 shift team on packing lines and related equipment.
• Oversee predictive and preventative maintenance and rapid fault response.
• Drive asset reliability, continuous improvement, and loss reduction.
• Mentor and develop the packing team to build resilience and capability.

Skills

Maintenance expertise

Asset reliability

Team leadership

Diagnostics

Troubleshooting

Education

Engineering degree

Tools

GEA Avapac

Technopak powder packing

JMP robotics

Job description

Westland Milk Products seeks a Packing Technician Lead to own the heart of the Hokitika site’s packaging operation. You will manage Butter WAL, Benhil, GEA Avapac, and JMP robotic systems, ensuring safe, high‑performing lines and strong asset reliability.

You’ll mentor a dedicated shifts and maintenance team in a 24/7 environment, driving safety, quality, and continuous improvement. You bring hands‑on technical leadership, diagnostic and troubleshooting skills, and a collaborative approach to