Technical and Process Engineering Manager at Abbott

Abbott; Pokeno; On-site; NZD 140,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Abbott in New Zealand's Waikato region seeks a Technical and Process Engineering Manager to lead Process Engineers and Technologists in Nutritional Powder/Dairy operations. You will provide technical leadership across manufacturing, quality, R&D and supply chain, driving improvements and product launches.

You'll foster a collaborative environment, uphold Abbott values, and ensure compliance with food safety, health, safety and ISO standards while developing your team and capabilities onsite in

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, technical, food science or similar.
• Good understanding of Spray Drying, Blending and Canning Operations.
• Master’s degree in applicable field preferred.
• Continuous improvement mindset.
• Strategy and systems thinking.
• Programme and project leadership.
• Process excellence and quality focus.
• Problem solving and analytical capability.
• Ability to influence stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Lead and support a team of Process Engineers and Process Technologists/Scientists in Nutritional Powder/Dairy Manufacturing Operations.
• Provide technical support and troubleshooting for process and product issues.
• Identify opportunities to improve manufacturing efficiency, product quality, and reduce waste.
• Support plant trials for new products, process improvements, and material changes.
• Support process engineering projects, equipment upgrades, and continuous improvement activities.
• Work with Operations, R&D, Quality, and Supply Chain teams to deliver successful product launches.
• Contribute to food safety, quality, and regulatory compliance initiatives.
• Lead, develop and manage an effective, engaged and motivated team.
• Maintain a supportive, collaborative working environment in line with Abbott core values.
• Address conflicts sensitively and per policies.
• Coordinate training and development and equipping with resources at Abbott.
• Review leave approvals and expense management ensuring policy adherence.
• Attend regular departmental meetings to build feedback mechanisms.
• Meet ISO requirements and quality objectives.
• Comply with Health, Safety and Environmental policies.
• Ensure PPE is worn.
• Report accidents within 24 hours.
• Ensure activities comply with acts, health and safety requirements and policy.
• Promote a standard of excellence for quality and customer focus.
• Uphold the Abbott Code of Business Conduct.
• Live Abbott Values – Pioneering, Achieving, Caring, Enduring.
• Maintain up-to-date knowledge of Abbott SOPs and policies.

Skills

Continuous improvement

Strategic thinking

Project leadership

Analytical skills

Problem solving

Stakeholder influence

Quality focus

Process excellence

Team leadership

Education

Bachelor's degree in engineering

Master's degree preferred

Job description

The Opportunity

As the Technical and Process Engineering Manager, you will lead and support a team of Process, Packaging Engineers, and Process Technologists/Scientists, providing technical expertise to manufacturing operations and product commercialization activities. The role works closely with Operations, Operational Excellence, R\\&D, Quality, and Supply Chain teams to resolve process and product issues and drive continuous improvement.

Responsibilities

• Support process engineering projects and equipment upgrades, improving manufacturing efficiency and product quality, reducing waste, coordinating plant trials, and contributing to food safety and regulatory compliance.

What You’ll Do

• Lead and support a team of Process Engineers and Process Technologists/Scientists in Nutritional Powder/Dairy Manufacturing Operations.


• Provide technical support and troubleshooting for process and product issues.


• Identify opportunities to improve manufacturing efficiency, product quality, and reduce waste.


• Support plant trials for new products, process improvements, and material changes.


• Support process engineering projects, equipment upgrades, and continuous improvement activities.


• Work with Operations, R&D, Quality, and Supply Chain teams to deliver successful product launches.


• Contribute to food safety, quality, and regulatory compliance initiatives.


• Lead, develop and manage an effective, engaged and motivated team.


• Maintain a supportive, collaborative working environment in line with Abbott core values.


• Address any conflict or potential issues sensitively and as they arise and in accordance with policies and procedures.


• Coordinate and oversee employee training and development and equipping with the resources available at Abbott to support their career.


• Review, assess and action requests such as leave approvals and expense management, ensuring company policy is adhered to.


• Attend regular departmental meetings with relevant manager/supervisor to build in continuous feedback mechanisms.


• Meet the requirements of ISO by complying with all relevant Quality policies and procedures to ensure the Quality objectives of the business are met.


• Comply with all relevant company Occupational Health, Safety and Environmental policies, procedures, and work practices with the intent of preventing or minimising accidental exposures to self, colleagues and/or the environment.


• Ensure any PPE provided by Abbott is worn.


• Report any accidents or incidents within 24 hours and notify your manager.


• Ensure all activities carried out by self and others are in accordance with legislative employment policies, health & safety requirements and global policy.


• Promote a standard of excellence for quality and customer focus at Abbott.


• Uphold the Abbott Code of Business Conduct.


• Live our Abbott Values – Pioneering, Achieving, Caring, Enduring.


• Maintain up-to-date knowledge of Abbott standard operating procedures and policies and always ensure compliance.


• Ensure your Company related activities comply with relevant Acts, legal demands and ethical standards.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, technical, food science or similar.


• Good understanding of Spray Drying, Blending and Canning Operations and technology aspects is essential for this role.


• Master’s degree in applicable field preferred.


• Continuous improvement mindset.


• Strategy and systems thinking.


• Programme and project leadership.


• Process excellence and quality focus.


• Problem solving and analytical capability.


• Ability to influence stakeholders.

Location

This position is based in Pokeno, Waikato.

Abbott is an Equal Opportunity Employer, committed to employee diversity.