Powder Packing Operator - Fixed Term and Permanent

Open Country Dairy Ltd; Horotiu; On-site; NZD 52,000 - 68,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive remuneration package

Upskilling opportunities

Job summary

Open Country Dairy Group in New Zealand is seeking Packing Operators for its Waikato Powder Operations at Horotiu and Waharoa. You will handle and tip ingredients, operate powder packing and AMF packing lines, manage product handling and documentation, and maintain cleaning and housekeeping standards.

Reporting to the Production Supervisor, you will work a 4-on 4-off 12-hour roster. A positive attitude, reliability and willingness to learn are essential for a safe and collaborative team.

Qualifications

• Experience in food manufacturing or powder packing is valued.
• Clear communication and basic literacy/numeracy required.
• Willingness to learn and work safely in a dairy environment.
• Mechanical aptitude and practical problem-solving help.
• Ability to lift 25 kg bags is advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Handle and tip ingredients and operate powder packing lines.
• Operate AMF packing lines and manage product handling.
• Maintain documentation and housekeeping standards.
• Collaborate with production, quality, warehouse and maintenance teams.
• Support a safe, productive shift pattern on 12‑hour rosters.

Skills

Food manufacturing experience

Powder packing

Communication

Literacy & numeracy

Mechanical aptitude

Tools

Automated equipment

Job description

About Open Country Dairy Group
Open Country Dairy Group is New Zealand’s largest independent dairy manufacturer, producing high-quality dairy ingredients and consumer products for customers around the world. With operations across New Zealand, we are proud to offer a safe, supportive and collaborative workplace where people can learn, grow and make a real contribution.

Packing Operator – Powder Operations
About Open Country Dairy Group
Open Country Dairy Group is New Zealand’s largest independent dairy manufacturer, producing high-quality dairy ingredients and consumer products for customers around the world. With operations across New Zealand, we are proud to offer a safe, supportive and collaborative workplace where people can learn, grow and make a real contribution.
Join our Waikato Powder team based at Horotiu and Waharoa
We are looking for motivated and reliable Packing Operators to join our friendly Waikato Powder Operations team at Horotiu and Waharoa. We have two fixed-term positions and one Permanent position available.
Reporting to the Production Supervisor, you will work 12-hour shifts on a 4 on, 4 off roster — 2 days, 2 nights, then 4 off. In this hands‑on role, you will handle and tip ingredients, operate powder packing and AMF packing lines, manage product handling and documentation, maintain cleaning and housekeeping standards, and work with production, quality, warehouse and maintenance teams to keep operations running smoothly.
About You – Attitude Counts
Experience in food manufacturing or powder packing would be helpful, but what we value most is a great attitude, reliability, willingness to learn and a genuine commitment to working safely.

• A combined Health and Safety plus Food Safety and Quality mindset, with pride in doing things properly
• Experience in food, process, manufacturing or production environments, ideally with automated equipment
• Clear communication, good literacy and numeracy, and basic computer confidence
• Mechanical aptitude, practical problem‑solving skills and the fitness to repeatedly lift 25kg bags over a shift would be advantageous
• A positive, team‑focused approach and willingness to get stuck in
• A current right to work in New Zealand
• Forklift experience or a first aid certificate would be an advantage

Why join us?
You’ll be part of a supportive team that values your contribution and helps you build your skills. In return, we offer a competitive remuneration package, opportunities for internal and external upskilling, and the chance to grow your career in the dairy industry.
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