Senior Release Lead – Quality, Compliance & Risk (Hybrid)

Danone; Auckland; On-site; NZD 110,000 - 140,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible hybrid working

Early Friday finish (3 pm)

Diverse and inclusive work environment

Personalised learning opportunities

Competitive Total Reward package

Job summary

Danone in Auckland City, NZ, is seeking a Release Manager to lead the release of materials and finished products, ensuring alignment with specifications, certifications, regulatory requirements and release criteria for production and market release. Based in Mangere, you will spearhead the Release Coordinator team and enhance traceability, controls and cross-functional collaboration.

You will drive risk-based testing, manage holds and non-conformances, and partner with manufacturing, quality,

Qualifications

• 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.
• Understanding of HACCP principles, recall processes and relevant quality standards.
• Strong analytical skills and sound technical judgement.
• Clear communication and stakeholder-influencing skills.
• Ability to prioritise, adapt and make confident decisions.
• Independent work in a fluid environment.
• Proficiency in quality-management systems.

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 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.

Skills

Team leadership

Quality & food safety

Risk management

Traceability

Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point

Microsoft Office

Education

Degree in Chemistry / Microbiology / Food Science or related field

Tools

Quality-management systems

Microsoft Office

Job description

Danone in Auckland City, NZ, is seeking a Release Manager to lead the release of materials and finished products, ensuring alignment with specifications, certifications, regulatory requirements and release criteria for production and market release. Based in Mangere, you will spearhead the Release Coordinator team and enhance traceability, controls and cross-functional collaboration.

You will drive risk-based testing, manage holds and non-conformances, and partner with manufacturing, quality,