Quality & Compliance Leader – Dairy & Infant Formula

a2M Career Site; Pokeno; On-site; NZD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

The a2 Milk Company is seeking a Quality Leader for our Pokeno site to own the quality systems and compliance framework, ensuring the Quality Management System is effectively implemented and that the factory meets regulatory, customer and certification requirements.

Leading a small team, you’ll drive quality performance across the factory, manage changes, audits and product specifications for ANZ, and identify opportunities for continuous improvement and strong stakeholder engagement.

Qualifications

• Experience in food or dairy manufacturing with infant formula is preferred.
• Minimum 1 year infant formula or dairy manufacturing experience.
• Strong knowledge of Quality Management Systems, HACCP, RMPs.
• Experience with audits, regulatory compliance and product specs.
• Tertiary qualification in Food Science or related discipline preferred.
• Strong leadership and people management skills.
• Structured, organized approach with problem-solving and CI capability.

Responsibilities

• Lead the implementation and ongoing improvement of the Quality Management System across the Pokeno factory.
• Establish quality processes and routines that support regulatory compliance and zero-defect performance.
• Lead internal audits and verify the effective implementation of quality management systems.
• Manage the site change management process, ensuring actions and change proposals are tracked and closed.
• Lead product compliance across ANZ, including finished goods specifications for base powder and can products.
• Manage MPI regulatory updates, including gap and risk analysis and follow-up actions.
• Lead new product certifications and documentation for overseas export markets and customer requirements.
• Drive timely closure of compliance gaps using problem-solving and CI methodologies.
• Develop and deliver quality training and capability initiatives across the site.
• Lead continuous improvement programmes focused on quality systems and consumer expectations.
• Lead and develop a small team, setting clear expectations and supporting a high-performance culture.

Skills

Quality leadership

People management

Continuous improvement

Regulatory compliance

HACCP knowledge

Stakeholder management

Document control

Education

Food Science degree

Quality management qualification

NCEA level 2 or equivalent

Job description

The a2 Milk Company is seeking a Quality Leader for our Pokeno site to own the quality systems and compliance framework, ensuring the Quality Management System is effectively implemented and that the factory meets regulatory, customer and certification requirements.

Leading a small team, you’ll drive quality performance across the factory, manage changes, audits and product specifications for ANZ, and identify opportunities for continuous improvement and strong stakeholder engagement.