Quality Release Lead - Food Safety & Compliance

Danone; Auckland; On-site; NZD 95,000 - 125,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid working

3 pm Fridays finishes

Health and life insurance

Parental leave (gender-neutral)

Employee share plan

Incentives & annual reviews

Diverse and inclusive workplace

Job summary

Danone ANZ is seeking a Release Manager based in Auckland (Mangere), responsible for leading the release of materials and finished products to ensure quality and regulatory compliance. This 12-month fixed-term role requires strong leadership, risk management and cross-functional collaboration across manufacturing, quality, labs, supply chain and regulatory affairs.

You will champion quality controls, maintain specifications and drive process improvements while supporting audits and

Qualifications

• Must have qualification in chemistry, microbiology, food science or related field.
• Experience in a laboratory, quality assurance or food manufacturing environment.
• Team leadership, coaching or training experience.
• Knowledge of food safety, GMP, risk management and traceability.
• Understanding of HACCP principles and recall processes.
• Strong analytical skills and sound technical judgement.
• Clear communication and stakeholder-influencing skills.
• Ability to prioritise, adapt and make confident decisions.
• Independent working style in a fluid environment.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and quality-management systems.

Responsibilities

• Lead the release of raw materials, packaging materials and finished products.
• Ensure releases meet quality, regulatory, certification and market requirements.
• Own material and product control plans, testing, traceability and release compliance.
• Manage holds, non-conformances and release issues with stakeholders.
• Use data and trends to manage risk and improve outcomes.
• Strengthen release processes, controls and turnaround times.
• Maintain finished-goods specs and release documentation.
• Support audits and corrective actions.
• Lead or contribute to cross-functional quality and safety projects.
• Coach and develop the Release Team; champion safety and compliance.

Skills

Analytical skills

Stakeholder communication

Education

Chemistry/Microbiology/Food science qualification or related field

Tools

Microsoft Office

Quality-management systems

Job description

Danone ANZ is seeking a Release Manager based in Auckland (Mangere), responsible for leading the release of materials and finished products to ensure quality and regulatory compliance. This 12-month fixed-term role requires strong leadership, risk management and cross-functional collaboration across manufacturing, quality, labs, supply chain and regulatory affairs.

You will champion quality controls, maintain specifications and drive process improvements while supporting audits and