Technical & Quality Manager

Technical Recruitment Solutions; Waitakere Ranges; On-site; NZD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

Technical Recruitment Solutions – Waitakere, North Island is seeking a senior Technical & Quality Manager to lead quality, food safety, and technical operations, while supporting product development and continuous improvement across the business.

You will report to Operations, overseeing specifications, quality systems, process optimisation, non-conformances, and new product commercialisation, ensuring regulatory compliance and customer satisfaction.

Qualifications

• Degree in Food Science, Food Technology, or related discipline.
• 5+ years in a senior technical/quality leadership role.
• Experience in high-risk food manufacturing or FMCG.
• Strong knowledge of HACCP, BRC and food safety systems.
• Experience in product development, commercialization, and project delivery.
• Experience supporting domestic and export market requirements.

Responsibilities

• Lead and continuously improve Quality and Food Safety Management Systems.
• Ensure compliance with HACCP, BRC, regulatory and export requirements.
• Drive a proactive food safety and quality culture across the org.
• Oversee product specifications, QA activities, testing, and non-conformance management.
• Lead root cause investigations and corrective actions.
• Support new product development and commercialization from concept to launch.
• Partner with operations to improve processes, quality, and performance.
• Lead continuous improvement initiatives focusing on efficiency and waste reduction.

Skills

Quality leadership

New product development

Stakeholder management

Problem solving

Continuous improvement

Education

Degree in Food Science/Technology

Job description

Technical Recruitment Solutions – Waitakere, North Island

Lead Quality, Food Safety and Innovation:

Our locally owned and operated client is an established and growing New Zealand food manufacturer based in Auckland. We are currently seeking an experienced Technical & Quality Manager to lead their technical, quality, and food safety functions while supporting product innovation and continuous improvement across the business. This is a senior leadership opportunity offering broad responsibility across quality assurance, food safety, product commercialisation, technical systems, and operational improvement. The role is ideally suited to a commercially minded technical leader who enjoys building capability, driving performance, and influencing outcomes across a manufacturing environment.

About the Role:

Reporting to the Head of Operations, the Technical & Quality Manager will provide leadership across all aspects of food safety, quality assurance, and technical operations. You will oversee product specifications, quality systems, manufacturing process optimisation, non-conformance management, and new product commercialisation, ensuring products consistently meet customer expectations, regulatory requirements, and industry standards. Working closely with Operations, Production, Commercial, and Supply Chain teams, you will play a key role in strengthening quality culture, driving continuous improvement, and supporting the successful delivery of business objectives.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead and continuously improve the Quality and Food Safety Management Systems.
• Ensure compliance with HACCP, BRC, customer, regulatory, and export market requirements.
• Drive a proactive food safety and quality culture throughout the organisation.
• Oversee product specifications, quality assurance activities, testing programmes, and non-conformance management.
• Lead root cause investigations and implement effective corrective and preventative actions.
• Support new product development and commercialisation activities from concept through to factory launch.
• Partner with operational teams to improve manufacturing processes, product quality, and operational performance.
• Lead continuous improvement initiatives focused on efficiency, waste reduction, compliance, and customer satisfaction.
• Act as the technical lead for capital projects and key business improvement initiatives.
• Develop, coach, and lead a high‑performing technical and quality team.

About You:

Because this is a broad-based role, you'll be an experienced technical or quality professional with a strong background in Quality AND NPD with infood manufacturing. Plus you'll have a passion for delivering high standards of food safety, product quality, and operational excellence.

You will bring:

• A degree in Food Science, Food Technology, or a related discipline.
• At least 5 years' experience in a senior technical, quality, or food safety leadership role.
• Experience within a high-risk food manufacturing or FMCG environment.
• Strong knowledge of HACCP, BRC, food safety systems, and quality management frameworks.
• Experience in new product development, commercialisation, and project delivery.
• Experience supporting both domestic and export market requirements.
• Exposure to new product development, commercialisation, and project delivery.
• Strong leadership capability with experience developing and coaching teams.
• Excellent communication, stakeholder management, and problem‑solving skills.
• A proactive and continuous improvement mindset.

Why Apply?

This is an opportunity to join a successful manufacturing business where quality, innovation, and customer satisfaction are highly valued. The role offers significant scope to influence business performance, lead improvement initiatives, and contribute to the ongoing growth and success of the organisation. If you are looking for a leadership role where you can make a meaningful impact across quality, food safety, operations, and product development, we encourage you to apply.