Shift Manager

Technical Recruitment Solutions Ltd.; Wellington; On-site; NZD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Whittaker’s, New Zealand’s leading chocolate producer, seeks a Shift Manager to lead Finishing Operations and deliver strong production performance. Reporting to the Factory Manager, you will champion safety, quality and a high-performing team in a busy FMCG environment.

With 60–70 staff under your leadership, you will ensure SOPs are followed, drive continuous improvements, coach staff and sustain a values-driven culture.

Qualifications

• 3+ years in a similar manufacturing leadership role (food/fmcg preferred).
• Qualification in Manufacturing, Logistics, Project Management or Quality.
• Strong data analysis capability.
• High level of organisational and time management skills.
• Confident leading diverse teams, including ESL staff.

Responsibilities

• Lead safe, efficient and high-quality Finishing Operations and ensure SOP compliance.
• Drive production targets, optimise resources and drive accountability.
• Identify and implement process improvements to reduce waste and improve reliability.
• Coach and develop team performance and build a positive, values-led culture.
• Manage employment relations professionally and fairly and embed a safety-first culture.

Skills

Leadership

Data analysis

Time management

Team coaching

Education

Manufacturing/Logistics/PM/Quality qualification

Job description

The Company: Whittaker’s is New Zealand’s biggest chocolate manufacturer and has won New Zealand’s ‘Most Trusted Brand’ 15 times in a row. They live by the belief that ‘best is always better’, insisting on using only the finest ingredients, the best methods, most precise machinery, and the best people to keep making good honest chocolate.

The Opportunity: Reporting to the Factory Manager, the Shift Manager is accountable for delivering exceptional production performance while fostering a safe, engaged, and high performing team environment. Tasks will include, but are not limited to:

Production and Performance –

• Leading safe, efficient and high-quality Finishing Operations
• Ensuring SOP compliance and achievement of production targets
• Optimising resources, managing schedules and driving accountability
• Identifying and implementing process improvements
• Reducing waste, improving reliability and lifting productivity
• Engaging your team in practical problem solving
• Coaching, developing and managing team performance
• Building capability and fostering positive, values-aligned culture
• Managing employment relations professionally and fairly

Health, Safety & Quality –

• Embed a safety-first culture and ensure compliance with the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015
• Uphold Whittaker’s world-class quality and food safety expectations.

The role will typically work Monday – Friday on the dayshift from 6.00am to 4.30pm, but flexibility for rotating shifts and weekend cover as per production requirements, is essential.
You, the candidate: With 60-70 staff reporting into this role, it is critical that the candidate bring strong leadership experience from a busy FMCG environment and confidence in leading diverse teams.

• Minimum of 3 years’ experience in a similar manufacturing leadership role – food industry highly preferred
• Qualification in Manufacturing, Logistics, Project Management or Quality
• Strong data analysis capability
• High level of organisational and time management skills
• Confident in leading diverse teams, including employees with English as a second language

Bring your manufacturing leadership experience to a values led business committed to excellence. This is a pivotal role that will drive production performance, champion safety and build strong teams for NZ’s ‘Most Trusted Brand’.

Please note: To be eligible for this role, you must hold current working rights in NZ. You must also be willing to undertake and return a satisfactory Ministry of Justice Criminal History check and undergo a pre-employment medical including a Drug & Alcohol Screening.