Systems & Compliance Manager

a2M Career Site; Pokeno; On-site; NZD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

The a2 Milk Company is seeking a Quality Leader for our Pokeno site to own the quality systems and compliance framework, ensuring the Quality Management System is effectively implemented and that the factory meets regulatory, customer and certification requirements.

Leading a small team, you’ll drive quality performance across the factory, manage changes, audits and product specifications for ANZ, and identify opportunities for continuous improvement and strong stakeholder engagement.

Qualifications

• Experience in food or dairy manufacturing with infant formula is preferred.
• Minimum 1 year infant formula or dairy manufacturing experience.
• Strong knowledge of Quality Management Systems, HACCP, RMPs.
• Experience with audits, regulatory compliance and product specs.
• Tertiary qualification in Food Science or related discipline preferred.
• Strong leadership and people management skills.
• Structured, organized approach with problem-solving and CI capability.

Responsibilities

• Lead the implementation and ongoing improvement of the Quality Management System across the Pokeno factory.
• Establish quality processes and routines that support regulatory compliance and zero-defect performance.
• Lead internal audits and verify the effective implementation of quality management systems.
• Manage the site change management process, ensuring actions and change proposals are tracked and closed.
• Lead product compliance across ANZ, including finished goods specifications for base powder and can products.
• Manage MPI regulatory updates, including gap and risk analysis and follow-up actions.
• Lead new product certifications and documentation for overseas export markets and customer requirements.
• Drive timely closure of compliance gaps using problem-solving and CI methodologies.
• Develop and deliver quality training and capability initiatives across the site.
• Lead continuous improvement programmes focused on quality systems and consumer expectations.
• Lead and develop a small team, setting clear expectations and supporting a high-performance culture.

Skills

Quality leadership

People management

Continuous improvement

Regulatory compliance

HACCP knowledge

Stakeholder management

Document control

Education

Food Science degree

Quality management qualification

NCEA level 2 or equivalent

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.