Release Manager

JobSpace; Auckland; Hybrid; NZD 100,000 - 140,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible hybrid working

Health and life insurance

26 weeks gender-neutral paid parental/

Employee Share Subscription Plan

Job summary

Danone ANZ in Auckland's Mangere factory seeks a Release Manager to lead the release of raw materials, packaging materials and finished products across our Specialised Nutrition operations.

You will ensure that only materials and products meeting approved specifications, certifications, regulatory requirements and release criteria are approved for production or released to market, including products made by third-party manufacturers.

Qualifications

• Qualification in chemistry, microbiology, food science or related field.
• Experience in laboratory, quality assurance or food manufacturing.
• Leadership or coaching experience preferred.
• 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.

Responsibilities

• Ensure every release meets quality, regulatory, certification and market requirements.
• Own material and product control plans, risk-based testing, traceability and release compliance.
• Manage product holds, non-conformances and release issues with stakeholders.
• Use quality data and performance trends to manage risk and improve outcomes.
• Strengthen release processes, controls and turnaround times.
• Maintain finished-goods specifications, release procedures and supporting documentation.
• Support audits, investigations, corrective actions and continuous-improvement initiatives.
• Lead or contribute to Quality and Food Safety and cross-functional projects.
• Lead, coach and develop a capable Release Team.
• Champion safety, quality and compliance across the operation.

Skills

Quality leadership

Team leadership

Risk management

Analytical thinking

Communication

Decision making

Independent working

Microsoft Office

Quality systems

Traceability

Education

Chemistry/Microbiology/Food Science degree

Tools

Microsoft Office

Quality-management systems

Job description

Join our Quality and Food Safety team as Release Manager and play a critical role in protecting product quality, food safety and consumer trust. This is a 12-month fixed term opportunity.

Based in Auckland, in our Mangere factory, you will lead the release of raw materials, packaging materials and finished products across our Specialised Nutrition operations. You will ensure that only materials and products meeting approved specifications, certifications, regulatory requirements and release criteria are approved for production or released to market, including products made by third‑party manufacturers.

As the leader of our Release Coordinator team, you will strengthen release controls, traceability and compliance while partnering with manufacturing, quality, laboratories, supply chain, warehousing, regulatory affairs and export teams.

Your responsibilities will include, but are not limited to:

• Ensure every release meets quality, regulatory, certification and market requirements.
• Own material and product control plans, risk‑based testing, traceability and release compliance.
• Manage product holds, non‑conformances and release issues with key stakeholders.
• Use quality data and performance trends to manage risk and improve outcomes.
• Strengthen release processes, controls and turnaround times.
• Maintain finished‑goods specifications, release procedures and supporting documentation.
• Support audits, investigations, corrective actions and continuous‑improvement initiatives.
• Lead or contribute to Quality and Food Safety and cross‑functional projects.
• Lead, coach and develop a capable, engaged and agile Release Team.
• Champion safety, quality and compliance across the operation.

About You

You are a credible and quality‑focused leader who combines strong technical judgement with the confidence to make sound release decisions. You bring a practical approach to managing risk, improving processes and translating complex quality requirements into clear actions.

Collaborative and composed, you build trusted relationships across teams and communicate with clarity. You are comfortable managing competing priorities in a fast‑moving environment while maintaining a strong focus on safety, quality and compliance.

Ideally, you will have:

• A qualification in chemistry, microbiology, food science or a related field, or equivalent experience.
• Prior experience in a laboratory, quality assurance or food manufacturing environment.
• Team leadership, coaching or training experience.
• Knowledge of food safety, good manufacturing and hygiene practices, risk management and traceability.
• An understanding of Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point principles, recall processes and relevant quality standards.
• Strong analytical skills and sound technical judgement.
• Clear communication and stakeholder‑influencing skills.
• The ability to prioritise, adapt and make confident decisions.
• The initiative to work independently in a fluid environment.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and quality‑management systems.

About Us, We offer and What's next

We truly value our Danoners and strive to make their experience exceptional by creating a positive and fulfilling environment for everyone. Our unique benefits are designed to enhance lives and provide genuine value.

• A high‑performing, collaborative team culture
• Flexible hybrid working
• Thank Danone It's Friday, with 3 pm finishes every Friday
• A diverse and inclusive work environment
• Personalised learning opportunities to set you up for success
• A competitive Total Reward package, including:
  • Health and life insurance benefits
  • 26 weeks of gender‑neutral paid parental leave
  • Employee Share Subscription Plan after 12 months of service
  • Performance‑related incentives and annual reviews

More about Us

At Danone, we aim to inspire healthier and more sustainable eating and drinking practices, in line with our vision, Danone, One Planet. One Health.

We operate across Essential Dairy and Plant‑Based Products, Waters and Specialised Nutrition. Our headquarters are in France, we have offices in 55 countries, and our products are sold in more than 120 markets. We have been around for more than a century and are the proud owners of some of the best‑known brands worldwide, including YoPRO, Activia, Aptamil and Karicare.

Danone ANZ focuses on dairy and specialised nutrition products for infants and adults and is proud to have achieved Great Place to Work accreditation in ANZ for the last five years.

Visit WE ARE DANONE to learn more about us.

DIVERSITY, EQUITY AND INCLUSION

We proudly affirm that we are an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. Our ambition is to foster an inclusive and diverse workplace where all Danoners can bring their uniqueness and contribute to business results.

Our commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion ensures that all qualified individuals receive fair consideration for employment.