Process Owner

The Kraft Heinz Company; Hastings; On-site; NZD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Pay for Performance

Parental Leave

Leave Options

Great Place to Work certification

In House Training Programs

Corporate Discount Programs

Job summary

The Kraft Heinz Company in Tomoana, New Zealand is seeking a Process Owner to join our Manufacturing team. Based on-site, you will lead safety, production performance and continuous improvement initiatives to uphold world-class standards.

You will coach frontline teams, manage resources and budgets, and drive operational excellence in a 24/7 manufacturing environment. This permanent role offers growth and development opportunities.

Qualifications

• Strong FMCG or complex manufacturing leadership.
• Experience leading frontline teams in a production setting.
• Focus on safety, risk management and quality compliance.
• Structured problem solving and continuous improvement mindset.

Responsibilities

• Lead health, safety and regulatory compliance for the area.
• Oversee day-to-day production results, cost and output.
• Drive short- and medium-term continuous improvement plans.
• Develop and manage the team, including performance reviews.
• Manage resources and budgets, including labour and capital planning.
• Improve equipment reliability and reduce downtime.
• Collaborate with quality, engineering, planning and HR; participate in audits.

Skills

Frontline leadership

Safety & compliance

Root-cause analysis

Data-driven decisions

Education

Engineering degree

Industrial/Business knowledge NZ law

Job description

Description

Process Owner

• Opportunity to grow your site operations & leadership experience


• Collaborative and dynamic work environment


• Location: Tomoana, New Zealand.

Grow Your Manufacturing Career with Kraft Heinz!

Are you looking to grow your career in Manufacturing & Site Operations? Do you want to join a dynamic team with a proven track record of internal growth and career advancement opportunities? We have an exciting permanent opportunity for a Process Owner to join our Manufacturing team based out of our Tomoana, New Zealand Watties site!

The Company – standard

The Kraft Heinz Company is one of the largest food and beverage companies in the world, with eight $1 billion+ brands and global sales of approximately $25 billion. Our brands are truly global, with products produced and marketed in over 40 countries. These beloved products include condiments and sauces, cheese and dairy, meals, meats, refreshment beverages, coffee, infant and nutrition products, and numerous other grocery products in a portfolio of more than 200 legacy and emerging brands.

Key position responsibilities include, but not limited to:

• Lead health, safety and regulatory compliance for the area - run daily safety checks, promote safe work practices, ensure food safety and environmental requirements are met.


• Oversee day-to-day production results - be accountable for output, efficiency, yield, waste and cost; run daily reviews and set actions to close gaps.


• Drive continuous improvement - maintain short-and medium-term improvement plans, coach problem-solving and support projects that improve performance and reduce defects.


• Develop and manage the team - lead and coach team leaders and maintenance leads, set clear expectations, conduct performance reviews and handle employee relations with HR support.


• Manage resources and budgets - own labour and cost centre budgets, allocate people and equipment effectively, ensure accurate timekeeping and support capital planning.


• Improve equipment reliability - prioritise maintenance with engineering to reduce downtime and protect asset performance.


• Collaborate across functions - coordinate with quality, engineering, planning, HR, procurement and others, and represent the area in plant governance and audits.


• Make operational decisions and drive outcomes - set daily production priorities, manage shift performance actions, and recommend priority improvement and capital work.

About you:

• Strong and proven experience in FMCG or complex manufacturing with hands-on production leadership


• Proven track record leading frontline teams (in a manufacturing environment) and managing labour performance


• Strong focus on safety, risk management and food/quality compliance, committed to a zero-harm mindset


• Skilled in structured problem-solving and continuous improvement (e.g. root-cause analysis)


• Degree in Engineering, Food Science, Industrial Engineering or Business preferred, and sound knowledge of NZ employment legislation (beneficial)


• Comfortable spending most of your time on the plant floor and providing escalation support outside standard hours in a 24/7 operation


• Commercial and data-driven: takes ownership of issues and delivers practical solutions rather than escalating unresolved problems


• Builds capability in others, enforces standards, and fosters a culture of accountability and continuous improvement


• Eligible to work in NZ with full working rights.

Benefits of working with us

• Pay for Performance - industry leading variable compensation offerings tied to company and individual performance on top of a competitive base salary package


• Parental Leave - paid time off for both primary AND secondary caregivers


• Leave Options - Purchased leave, volunteer leave and LiveWell leave programs to give you even more flexibility to plan your life and spend time on causes that matter


• Great Place to Work certification in Australia and New Zealand


• In House Training Programs


• Corporate Discount Programs

Location(s)

Tomoana