Seed Processing Lead — Inspire Team, Drive Quality

Dlf Seeds Australia - Careers; Canterbury; On-site; NZD 52,000 - 78,000; Full time

Job summary

Dlf Seeds Australia - Careers in Ashburton, NZ is seeking a Manufacturing Technician for a hands-on, highly automated plastics production environment. You will support setup, operation and optimization of equipment to meet quality and demand, with opportunities to advance specialist skills in manufacturing and automation.

Youll join an experienced team, bring strong mechanical aptitude, adapt to changing priorities, and contribute to continuous improvement initiatives while learning new

Qualifications

• Experience in manufacturing or production environment.
• Strong mechanical aptitude and problem-solving abilities.
• Detail-oriented with commitment to quality.
• Willingness to learn specialised processes.

Responsibilities

• Assisting with machine setups and product changeovers
• Changing moulds and tooling on production equipment
• Monitoring machine performance and product quality
• Troubleshooting process and equipment issues
• Making machine and process adjustments to improve efficiency
• Supporting production uptime and minimising downtime
• Assisting with new technology and automation projects

Skills

Mechanical aptitude

Problem-solving

Attention to detail

Team player

Tools

Manufacturing equipment

Moulds & tooling

Job description

Join a growing plastics manufacturer producing high-quality plastic packaging for the food industry.

Manufacturing Technician / Process Technician

We're partnering with a well-established New Zealand manufacturer to recruit a Manufacturing Technician for their Ashburton operation.

This is a hands-on technical role where you'll play a key part in ensuring highly automated production equipment is operating efficiently, producing quality products, and meeting customer demand. You'll be involved in machine setup, product changeovers, troubleshooting, process optimisation, and continuous improvement initiatives.

Working alongside an experienced team, you'll have the opportunity to develop specialist skills within a unique manufacturing environment. Whether your background is in plastics, food manufacturing, dairy processing, packaging, engineering, or industrial production, we're keen to hear from people with strong mechanical aptitude and a desire to learn.

About the Role

Working as part of a close-knit production team, you'll support the setup, operation, and optimisation of specialised manufacturing equipment while ensuring quality and production targets are achieved.

This role will involve:

• Assisting with machine setups and product changeovers
• Changing moulds and tooling on production equipment
• Monitoring machine performance and product quality
• Troubleshooting process and equipment issues
• Making machine and process adjustments to improve efficiency
• Supporting production uptime and minimising downtime
• Assisting with new technology and automation projects

About you

You’ll enjoy working with machinery, solving problems, and finding ways to improve processes. While plastics manufacturing experience would be advantageous, we're also keen to hear from candidates who have worked in other manufacturing or processing environments.

You’ll bring:

• Experience working within a manufacturing or production environment
• Strong mechanical aptitude and problem-solving ability
• Good attention to detail and commitment to quality
• Ability to manage changing priorities and work as part of a team
• A willingness to learn specialised manufacturing processes

Most importantly, you’ll be:

• Hands‑on and mechanically minded
• Proactive and eager to learn
• Reliable and committed
• Process-driven with a strong attention to detail
• Comfortable taking ownership and responsibility
• A team player with a practical, can‑do attitude

What’s on offer

• Monday - Friday, day shift (7.30am – 4.30pm)
• Competitive hourly rate and overtime opportunities
• Ongoing training and development
• Exposure to advanced manufacturing technology, robotics and automation
• Supportive team and strong culture
• Long-term career opportunity with a growing business

This is a fantastic opportunity to join a business that is investing in technology, automation, and its people. If you're mechanically minded, enjoy understanding how machinery works, and want to build a long-term career in manufacturing, we'd love to hear from you.