Systems & Compliance Manager

The a2 Milk Company; Pokeno; On-site; NZD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

The a2 Milk Company is seeking a senior quality leader for the Pokeno site to own the Quality Management System and ensure the site meets regulatory, customer and certification requirements.

You will lead a small team across the factory to drive quality performance, strengthen compliance, and identify opportunities for continuous improvement and product specification integrity for ANZ markets.

Qualifications

• Strong leadership and people management skills with the ability to develop others.
• Solid knowledge of Quality Management Systems, HACCP, RMPs and prerequisite programmes.
• Experience in dairy/infant formula manufacturing.
• Experience with quality auditing, regulatory compliance and product specifications.
• Tertiary qualification in Food Science or related discipline preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead the implementation and ongoing improvement of the Quality Management System across the Pokeno factory.
• Establish quality systems and routines to support regulatory compliance and zero-defect performance.
• Lead internal audits and verify effective quality management implementation.
• Manage the site change management process and tracking of actions.
• Oversee product compliance across ANZ, including finished goods specs for base powder and cans.
• Drive closure of compliance gaps using problem-solving and continuous improvement methods.

Skills

Leadership

Quality assurance

Problem-solving

Continuous improvement

Regulatory understanding

Team management

Education

Food Science or related degree

Tools

HACCP

RMPs

Quality Management Systems

Auditing

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:

This is a key leadership role within our Pokeno Quality function, reporting to the Site Quality Manager. You’ll take ownership of the site’s quality systems and compliance framework, ensuring our Quality Management System is effectively implemented and that the factory meets all regulatory, customer and certification requirements.

Leading a small team, you’ll work across the factory to drive quality performance, strengthen compliance, manage regulatory requirements and identify opportunities for continuous improvement.

More specifically, you will be involved in:

• Leading the implementation and ongoing improvement of the Quality Management System across the Pokeno factory.
• Establishing quality systems, processes and routines that support regulatory compliance and zero-defect performance.
• Leading internal audits and verifying the effective implementation of quality management systems.
• Managing the site change management process, ensuring actions and change proposals are effectively tracked and closed.
• Leading product compliance across ANZ, including finished goods specifications for base powder and can products.
• Managing MPI regulatory updates, including gap and risk analysis and appropriate follow-up actions.
• Managing new product certifications and documentation required for overseas export markets and customer requirements.
• Driving the timely closure of compliance gaps using problem-solving and continuous improvement methodologies.
• Raising and reviewing exception reports and ENCs, and liaising with MPI to support appropriate gap closure and disposition.
• Developing and delivering quality training and capability initiatives across the site.
• Leading continuous improvement programmes focused on quality systems, operational standards and consumer expectations.
• Leading and developing a small team, setting clear expectations and supporting a high-performance quality culture.

What you will bring:

• Strong experience in a food, dairy or infant formula manufacturing environment.
• Minimum 1 year of infant formula or dairy manufacturing experience, with broader manufacturing experience highly desirable.
• Strong knowledge of Quality Management Systems, HACCP, RMPs and prerequisite programmes.
• Experience working within a dry blend and/or spray drying manufacturing environment.
• Experience with quality auditing, regulatory compliance and product specifications.
• A tertiary qualification in Food Science or a related discipline is preferred.
• Strong computer literacy and the ability to work confidently with quality systems and documentation.
• Strong leadership and people management skills, with the ability to set standards, provide direction and develop others.
• A structured and organised approach, with strong problem-solving and continuous improvement capability.
• The ability to work effectively with a range of stakeholders, including manufacturing teams, customers and regulatory bodies.
• NCEA Level 2 or equivalent qualification.