Quality Systems & Compliance Specialist

The a2 Milk Company; Pokeno; On-site; NZD 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

The a2 Milk Company in New Zealand seeks a hands-on Quality Systems professional to maintain and improve our Quality Management System at the Pokeno site. You will ensure compliance with regulatory, customer and certification requirements while supporting a strong culture of quality.

Reporting to the Systems and Compliance Manager, you will lead internal audits, manage quality documentation, and drive problem solving and continuous improvement across the site with cross-functional collaboration.

Qualifications

• Experience with quality systems, auditing and HACCP.
• Experience maintaining quality documentation and records.
• Strong attention to detail and organised approach.
• Collaborative mindset to work across manufacturing teams.
• Proactive problem solving and continuous improvement mindset.

Responsibilities

• Supporting the implementation and ongoing improvement of the Quality Management System and site quality standards.
• Managing site quality documentation, including processes, forms, training records and document reviews.
• Leading internal audits, verifying compliance and driving the timely closure of audit findings and gaps.
• Supporting regulatory and certification requirements, including export certifications and MPI requirements.
• Preparing and maintaining finished goods specifications and supporting product compliance activities.
• Driving problem solving and continuous improvement initiatives to improve quality performance.
• Supporting regulatory updates, risk assessments and gap analysis, including liaising with MPI and external customers where required.
• Developing and delivering quality systems training to support compliance across the site.

Skills

Quality systems

Auditing

Problem solving

Attention to detail

Cross-functional collaboration

Documentation management

Education

Tertiary qualification in Food Science or related discipline

NCEA Level 2 or equivalent qualification

Job description

Our Story:

The a2 Milk Company, driven by science and a pioneering spirit, disrupted the dairy and infant milk formula industry. Our vision is to create an A1-free world where dairy nourishes all people and our planet.

The a2 Milk Company seeks to achieve this through the naturally occurring a2 Milk® difference and by bringing a more sustainable approach to dairy.

The role:

As part of our Quality team at our Pokeno site, this role reports to the Systems and Compliance Manager and plays an important role in maintaining and continuously improving our Quality Management System. You’ll help ensure the site meets regulatory, customer and certification requirements while supporting a strong culture of quality and compliance across the factory.

This is a hands‑on quality systems role where you’ll work closely with teams across the site to maintain quality standards, identify and close compliance gaps, and drive continuous improvement.

More specifically, you will be involved in:

• Supporting the implementation and ongoing improvement of the Quality Management System and site quality standards.
• Managing site quality documentation, including processes, forms, training records and document reviews.
• Leading internal audits, verifying compliance and driving the timely closure of audit findings and gaps.
• Supporting regulatory and certification requirements, including export certifications and MPI requirements.
• Preparing and maintaining finished goods specifications and supporting product compliance activities.
• Driving problem solving and continuous improvement initiatives to improve quality performance.
• Supporting regulatory updates, risk assessments and gap analysis, including liaising with MPI and external customers where required.
• Developing and delivering quality systems training to support compliance across the site.

What you will bring:

• Experience working in a food, dairy or infant formula manufacturing environment.
• Minimum 1 year of infant formula or dairy manufacturing experience.
• Experience with quality systems, auditing, HACCP, RMPs and prerequisite programmes.
• Experience in a dry blend and/or spray drying manufacturing environment is highly desirable.
• A tertiary qualification in Food Science or a related discipline is preferred.
• Strong computer literacy and the ability to manage quality documentation and systems.
• A structured and organised approach, with strong attention to detail and a focus on getting things done.
• The ability to work collaboratively across a manufacturing environment and build strong relationships with a range of stakeholders.
• A proactive approach to problem solving, continuous improvement and closing compliance gaps.
• NCEA Level 2 or equivalent qualification.