Quality Engineer

abbott; Waikato; On-site; NZD 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

Abbott is seeking a Quality Engineer in New Zealand, based at the Pokeno plant in Waikato. You will oversee manufacturing quality activities, validate equipment and processes, and work with cross-functional teams to resolve quality issues and ensure compliant releases.

The role emphasizes risk analyses, QMS engagement, and preventing defects across production lines. The position requires a Bachelor’s degree in a related field and at least 2 years in a manufacturing-quality environment, with

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in a relevant field.
• Minimum 2 years in a similar position or food manufacturing.
• Strong problem-solving and investigations.
• Clear written and verbal communication for stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Interface with Regulatory Agencies to ensure compliant product release.
• Provide quality engineering support to meet manufacturing and quality requirements.
• Lead in quality validations and risk analyses.
• Develop quality plans, specifications, and protocols with cross-functional teams.
• Identify process improvements to reduce defects and variability.
• Support project timelines and ensure regulatory compliance.

Skills

Quality systems

Project management

Attention to detail

Independent work

Verbal & written communication

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Business/Science/Technical or related field

Tools

Quality management systems (QMS)

Job description

JOB DESCRIPTION:

Abbott is a global healthcare leader, creating breakthrough science to improve people’s health. We’re always looking towards the future, anticipating changes in medical science and technology.

Our nutrition business develops science-based nutrition products for people of all ages, from helping babies and children grow, to keeping adult bodies strong and active. Millions of people around the world count on our leading brands – including Similac®, PediaSure®, Pedialyte®, Ensure® and Glucerna® – to help get the nutrients they need to live their healthiest life.

Working at Abbott

At Abbott, you can do work that matters, grow, and learn, care for yourself and family, be your true self and live a full life. You will have access to:

• Career development with an international company where you can grow the career you dream of.
• Benefits that support you and your family to stay healthy, financially secure, and supported throughout life's journey - including comprehensive medical insurance coverage, wellbeing support, and competitive rewards that recognize your contributions.
• A company recognized as a great place to work in dozens of countries around the world and named one of the most admired companies in the world by Fortune.

The Opportunity

As the Quality Engineer, the Quality Engineer is involved in all aspects of the manufacturing operation from assessing equipment needs, to documenting installation, qualification, and ongoing validation of equipment and processes. The Quality Engineer is also expected to assist in the identification and resolution of quality related issues.

What You’ll Do

• Interfaces with Regulatory Agencies as required ensuring compliant product is released.
• Provides quality engineering support to the site to ensure manufacturing/quality requirements are met.
• Understands and elevate issues related to quality validations.
• Implements product quality plans, documents and systems by creating product specifications, quality specifications, quality plans, risk analyses, FMEAs in conjunction with other product development team members.
• Implements Process Monitoring Systems by identifying critical process steps which could culminate in possible sources of manufacturing defects and devising methods to reduce process variation in order to reduce/eliminate the cause of defects.
• Contribute to the development of appropriate reliability program for the division/site.
• Lead/Assist in writing, executing, and analyzing various types of protocols (i.e. engineering studies, verification protocols, validation, etc.).
• Provides assistance or lead projects as assigned.
• Reduces and controls manufacturing process defects (scrap, nonconforming material, customer complaints) by assisting efforts/teams focused on identifying the primary root causes and implementing corrective and preventative actions.
• Helps ensure that Division projects meet scheduled dates and are compliant with the regulations.
• May be involved in all levels of projects from simple design changes to total design changes.

Requirements

• Desired, not essential, Bachelor’s Degree in Business, Science, Technical or related field and/or an equivalent combination of education and work experience.
• Minimum 2 years in a similar position or in food manufacturing; Working knowledge of applicable regulations, compliance requirements, quality systems, and engineering / quality principles as relates to applicable manufacturing environment, preferably consumable goods.
• Applies, quality-focused thinking and strong project management skills to plan and conduct effective investigations, delivering outcomes in a timely manner.
• Demonstrates high attention to detail to ensure accuracy within Quality System documentation, alongside clear written and verbal communication for concise reporting and stakeholder engagement at all levels.
• Works independently with confidence, managing responsibilities and ensuring consistent, reliable outputs.

Location

This position is based in Pokeno, Waikato

Follow your career aspirations to Abbott for diverse opportunities with a company that can help you build your future and live your best life. Abbott is an Equal Opportunity Employer, committed to employee diversity.

Connect with us at www.abbott.com, on Facebook at www.facebook.com/Abbott and on Twitter @AbbottNews and @AbbottGlobal.

The base pay for this position is

N/A

In specific locations, the pay range may vary from the range posted.

JOB FAMILY:

Operations Quality

DIVISION:

ANSC Nutrition Supply Chain

LOCATION:

New Zealand > Waikato: Pokeno Plant

WORK SHIFT:

Standard

TRAVEL:

Not specified

MEDICAL SURVEILLANCE:

Not Applicable

SIGNIFICANT WORK ACTIVITIES:

Continuous sitting for prolonged periods (more than 2 consecutive hours in an 8 hour day)