Production Manager - Timaru

McCain Foods; Timaru; On-site; NZD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

McCain Foods in Timaru, NZ, seeks a Production Manager to lead one of its critical manufacturing operations. You’ll drive safety, quality, delivery and cost performance, while developing future leaders and shaping a high‑performing team.

You’ll lead a hybrid team, step into strategic plant programmes, and partner across functions to deliver tangible results in a fast-paced environment.

Qualifications

• Relevant tertiary qualification in food science, manufacturing, process engineering or a related discipline.
• At least three years of verifiable management experience in food science, manufacturing or process engineering.
• Experience in the FMCG food-processing sector, ideally within a potato and/or vegetable processing facility.
• Strong working knowledge of manufacturing processes, HACCP, GMP, quality management systems and environmental management systems.
• Demonstrated ability to lead, coach and develop people to achieve KPIs and performance outcomes.
• Knowledge of Statistical Process Control, lean principles and/or Six Sigma methodology.
• Proven analytical and creative problem-solving capability, including cause-and-effect analysis and troubleshooting.
• Excellent organisational, communication and relationship-building skills across functions.
• Results-focused with the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.

Responsibilities

• Lead the Production Department’s health and safety culture, including behavioural observations, incident reporting, injury management and risk controls.
• Set the strategic direction for production and implement plant programmes, policies, SOPs and systems, including One McCain (SAP), SuM and MDI.
• Own daily production performance across safety, quality, delivery, cost, people and environment.
• Ensure products meet quality and food safety requirements via HACCP, GMP and audits.
• Identify and deliver operational cost reductions in collaboration with the Plant Manager.
• Lead, coach and develop Shift Managers and production teams with clear KPIs and performance plan.
• Drive continuous improvement through CI events and the MDI platform.
• Oversee employment relations, workforce engagement and Our Voice actions within Production.
• Ensure compliance with environmental legislation and McCain policies.
• Collaborate with Quality, Technical, Engineering, Projects, NPD, HR, Supply and Demand teams.

Skills

Leadership

People management

Analytical thinking

Problem solving

Communication

Organizational skills

Team collaboration

Education

Tertiary qualification in relevant field

Tools

SAP

MDI

SuM

Job description

Position Type: Regular - Full-Time

Requisition ID:44419

In every role, McCainers are ambitious, curious, and passionate about creating exceptional work experiences—together. With a customer-first mindset, we make doing business with McCain easy.

About the role.

This is an opportunity to lead one of McCain’s most critical manufacturing operations and make a tangible impact every day. As Production Manager, you'll be at the heart of the Timaru French Fry Plant, leading teams, driving performance, and shaping the future of our operation. From championing safety and quality to delivering operational excellence and continuous improvement, you'll influence how we produce some of New Zealand's favourite food products.

As a key member of the Timaru Leadership Team, you'll bring people together around a shared vision, develop future leaders, and create an environment where innovation, accountability, and high performance thrive. If you're passionate about leading teams, solving complex challenges, and delivering results in a fast-paced manufacturing environment, this is a role where your impact will be seen, felt, and celebrated.

Through your actions, decisions, and leadership, you'll set the standard for others to follow, embodying our belief that positive change, accountability, and high performance start with each of us. At McCain, ‘It Starts With Me’ is more than a mindset; it's how we lead.

What you'll be doing.

• Lead the Production Department’s health and safety culture, including behavioural observations, incident reporting, injury management and operational risk controls.
• Set the strategic direction for production and lead the implementation and sustainment of plant programmes, policies, standard operating procedures and systems, including One McCain (SAP), SuM and MDI.
• Own daily production performance across safety, quality, delivery, cost, people and environment, including schedule compliance, line performance and overall equipment effectiveness.
• Ensure all products meet quality and food safety requirements by maintaining compliance with HACCP, GMP, internal auditing and plant quality management systems.
• Build understanding of Total Production Cost and partner with the Plant Manager to identify and deliver operational cost reduction opportunities across labour, overheads, materials and waste.
• Lead, coach and develop Shift Managers and production teams through clear KPIs, performance management, training, personal development and succession planning.
• Provide leadership for continuous improvement, ensuring gains from CI events and the MDI platform are implemented, sustained and translated into measurable results.
• Take a hands‑on approach to employment relations, workforce engagement, absence management and Our Voice action plans within the Production Department.
• Ensure day‑to‑day production activities comply with environmental legislation, local authority requirements, corporate standards and McCain policy, including incident reporting, emergency procedures and responsible waste management.
• Collaborate across Quality, Technical, Engineering, Projects, NPD, Human Resources, Supply and Demand, Agriculture, Coldstore and other plant functions.

What you'll need to be successful.

• A relevant tertiary qualification in food science, manufacturing, process engineering or a related discipline.
• At least three years of verifiable management experience in food science, manufacturing or process engineering.
• Experience in the FMCG food‑processing sector, ideally within a potato and/or vegetable processing facility.
• Strong working knowledge of manufacturing processes, workplace safety, HACCP, GMP, quality management systems and environmental management systems.
• Demonstrated ability to lead, coach and develop people to achieve agreed KPIs and performance outcomes.
• Knowledge of Statistical Process Control, lean principles and/or Six Sigma methodology.
• Proven analytical and creative problem‑solving capability, including cause‑and‑effect analysis, fault finding, troubleshooting and a strong mechanical aptitude.
• Excellent organisational, communication and relationship‑building skills, with the ability to work effectively across functions and at all organisational levels.
• A results‑focused approach and the ability to manage multiple, varied priorities in a fast‑paced manufacturing environment.

About the team.

You will report to the Plant Manager and form part of the Timaru Plant Leadership Team, working alongside leaders across Agriculture, Quality, Maintenance, Engineering and other key functions. The role leads the Production Department through Shift Managers and Team Leaders and partners closely with production employees and regional support teams to deliver safe, reliable and efficient plant performance.

About McCain.

At McCain, our leadership principles guide how we engage with customers, collaborate as a team, and achieve success. We focus on understanding customer needs, driving innovation, empowering people, and taking ownership to clear obstacles and deliver results.

AI & Digital Capabilities.

At McCain, AI and digital capabilities are part of how we work and innovate. We value curiosity toward emerging technologies and the thoughtful, responsible use of AI‑enabled tools to improve outcomes as part of our future‑ready culture.

The McCain experience.

We are McCain. This statement is a testament to our collective strength and our individual value. Your contributions play a vital role in our success. Our winning culture is rooted in authenticity and trust, empowering us to bring out the best in one another. Here, you'll find opportunities to learn, grow, and thrive. Join us and experience why we're better together.

Our purpose is grounded in building meaningful relationships. We're big believers in the power of working together in person. It helps us stay connected, collaborate more effectively, and grow as a team. At the same time, we recognize the importance of flexibility. Most office‑based roles follow a hybrid model, with the option to work remotely two days a week. There may be exceptions depending on the role and location, so we encourage you to speak with your recruiter for more details.

McCain Foods is an equal opportunity employer. As a global family‑owned company, we strive to be the employer of choice in the diverse communities around the world in which we live and work. We recognize that inclusion drives our creativity, resilience, and success and makes our business stronger. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, sex, age, veteran status, disability, or any other protected characteristic under applicable law.

McCain is an accessible employer. If you require an accommodation throughout the recruitment process (including alternate formats of materials or accessible meeting rooms), pleaselet us knowand we will work with you to find appropriate solutions.

Job Family:Manufacturing

Location(s): NZ - New Zealand : Canterbury : Timaru