Processing Equipment Engineer

Goodman Fielder Pty Limited; Christchurch, Auckland; Hybrid; NZD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Goodman Fielder is seeking a Milk Plant Processing Equipment Engineer in Christchurch to optimize and maintain dairy processing equipment, ensuring safe, efficient operations aligned with quality and food safety standards.

You will work on pasteurizers, homogenizers, separators, and CIP systems, focusing on throughput, yield, and energy efficiency within a collaborative team.

Qualifications

• Experience with dairy processing equipment and sanitary piping design

Responsibilities

• Improve dairy processing systems including pasteurizers, homogenizers, separators, and CIP systems.
• Optimize plant throughput, yield, and energy efficiency.
• Troubleshoot mechanical, pneumatic, and control system issues and reduce downtime through root cause analysis and corrective action planning.
• Ensure equipment and processes comply with food safety standards (HACCP, GMP).

Skills

Problem solving

Team collaboration

Continuous improvement

Education

Level 4 NZ Certificate in Mechanical Engineering (Trade) - Maintenance Engineering

Tools

PLCs

SCADA systems

Job description

The CompanyAt Goodman Fielder our purpose is simple. It's about making everyday food better for everyone.

Goodman Fielder is a leading global food company, and the custodian of a host of iconic Kiwi brands like Meadow Fresh, Puhoi Valley, Molenberg, Natures Fresh and Freya's that generations of New Zealand have grown up with and put in their supermarket trolleys every week.

We might be biased but we believe our team here at Goodman Fielder is an amazing place to work, and a great team to be part of! We're driven by our values - We Grow Together, We Keep Things Simple, We Get Stuff Done.

About the Role

We are looking for a Milk Plant Processing Equipment Engineer who will take responsibility for the optimization, maintenance, and continuous improvement of dairy processing equipment within a milk production facility. This role ensures safe, efficient, and regulatory-compliant operations while supporting production, quality, and food safety objectives.

Responsibilities

• Improve dairy processing systems including pasteurizers, homogenizers, separators, and CIP (Clean-in-Place) systems.
• Optimize plant throughput, yield, and energy efficiency.
• Troubleshoot mechanical, pneumatic, and control system issue and reduce downtime through root cause analysis and corrective action planning.
• Ensure equipment and processes comply with food safety standards (e.g., HACCP, GMP).

About You

In order to make this role a success you will be an experienced engineer preferably with experience in the dairy, food processing, or beverage manufacturing industry.

Qualifications

• Level 4 NZ Certificate in Mechanical Engineering (Trade) - Maintenance Engineering strand
• Hands-on experience with milk processing equipment and sanitary systems (preferred)
• Knowledge of pasteurization systems (HTST/UHT), homogenization, separation, and fluid handling systems (preferred)
• Familiarity with PLCs, SCADA systems, and industrial automation
• Understanding sanitary piping design and hygienic standards
• 2980 welding ticket (useful but not essential)

What we can offer

You will be joining a driven team of professionals who genuinely enjoy working together resulting in a highly collaborative and flexible work environment. In return for your passion and success, we will reward you with a competitive remuneration package and help you to achieve personal and professional growth and development. At Goodman Fielder, we aim to be a destination employer in the food industry where we don't just offer jobs - we offer long-term careers.