Release Officer

The a2 Milk Company; Auckland; Hybrid; NZD 70,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual bonus

Onsite meals

Gym subsidy

Insurance package

Social club

Job summary

The a2 Milk Company is seeking a hands-on Quality Release professional based at our Pokeno Factory to ensure raw materials, base powder and finished products are reviewed and released in line with quality and food safety requirements.

You will work closely with the Laboratory, Quality, Production and Procurement to support timely release decisions, manage non-conformances and contribute to continuous improvement initiatives; weekends required, Wednesday to Sunday.

Qualifications

• Experience in a Quality, Product Release or Materials Release role within a food manufacturing environment.
• Experience with raw material, packaging, base powder and/or finished product release processes.
• Knowledge of food processing, cGMP, food science and food microbiology.
• Experience managing non-conformances, investigations and quality documentation.
• Knowledge of prerequisite programmes and transfer document processes.
• Strong problem-solving, communication and stakeholder management skills.
• A proactive, collaborative “can do” attitude and willingness to support operational requirements.
• Experience within the infant nutrition industry is mandatory.
• Flexibility to work weekends, with regular weekend coverage.

Responsibilities

• Review Certificates of Analysis (COAs) for raw materials and packaging materials and support release decisions.
• Coordinate with the Laboratory on testing requirements and results, including recommending additional sampling where required.
• Manage non-conformances and material deviations, working with suppliers and internal teams through investigations and usage recommendations.
• Support the release of base powder and finished products, working with Plant QA and Production on investigations and usage decisions.
• Prepare Certificates of Analysis to meet customer requirements and support transfer documentation.
• Monitor trends in non-conformances and escalate recurring issues to Procurement.
• Support and lead continuous improvement initiatives related to the release process.
• Prepare Annual Product Reviews and support other Quality Operations activities.

Skills

Quality release

Materials release

Food manufacturing

Non-conformances

Quality documentation

Problem-solving

Stakeholder management

Infant nutrition

Weekend availability

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:

Reporting to the Quality Release Lead and based at our Pokeno Factory, you will play an important role in ensuring raw materials, packaging materials, base powder and finished products are appropriately reviewed and released in line with quality and food safety requirements.

This is a hands-on Quality role where you’ll work closely with our Laboratory, Quality, Production, Procurement and suppliers to support timely product and material release decisions.

This role will be working Wednesday to Sunday, so must be available to work weekends.

More specifically, you will be involved in:

• Reviewing and assessing Certificates of Analysis (COAs) for raw materials and packaging materials and supporting release decisions.


• Coordinating with the Laboratory on testing requirements and results, including recommending additional sampling where required.


• Managing non-conformances and material deviations, working with suppliers and internal teams through investigations and usage recommendations.


• Supporting the release of base powder and finished products, working with Plant QA and Production on investigations and usage decisions.


• Preparing Certificates of Analysis to meet customer requirements and supporting transfer documentation.


• Monitoring trends in non-conformances and escalating recurring issues to Procurement.


• Supporting and leading continuous improvement initiatives related to the release process.


• Preparing Annual Product Reviews and supporting other Quality Operations activities.

What you will bring:

• Experience in a Quality, Product Release or Materials Release role within a food manufacturing environment.


• Experience with raw material, packaging, base powder and/or finished product release processes.


• Knowledge of food processing, cGMP, food science and food microbiology.


• Experience managing non-conformances, investigations and quality documentation.


• Knowledge of prerequisite programmes and transfer document processes.


• Strong problem-solving, communication and stakeholder management skills.


• A proactive, collaborative “can do” attitude and willingness to support operational requirements.


• Experience within the infant nutrition industry is mandatory.


• Flexibility to work weekends, with the role requiring regular weekend coverage.

What we offer

• Medical, Life & Income Protection Insurance.


• Annual Bonus.


• A supportive team culture with learning and development opportunities.


• Free breakfast and lunch provided in our onsite cafeteria.


• Subsidised gym membership.


• Social club.