Technical Systems Assessor

Silver Fern Farms Limited; Balclutha; On-site; NZD 85,000 - 115,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Discounted staff meat sales

Paid sick leave from day one

Subsidised health insurance

Confidential employee assistance

Free onsite parking

Uniform provided

Job summary

Silver Fern Farms Limited is seeking a Technical Systems Assessor to join the Finegand Operations team. The role ensures quality control and food safety programmes are correctly implemented, meeting customer, regulatory and production requirements.

You will audit, support compliance, and drive training and continuous improvement across technical systems. Collaborating with the Technical Manager, coordinators and governance stakeholders, you’ll maintain high standards and support cross‑functional

Qualifications

• Experience in technical, quality assurance, food safety or compliance roles.
• Strong knowledge of HACCP principles and practical applications.
• Understanding of quality systems, auditing methodologies and regulatory requirements.

Responsibilities

• Lead cross-functional coordination to support business-wide quality objectives.
• Conduct internal audits across quality systems and documentation processes.
• Support HACCP and food safety programme management and audits.
• Develop and review policies, procedures and guidelines for continuous improvement.
• Prepare timely compliance and performance reports.

Skills

Attention to detail

Quality assurance

Auditing

Food safety

HACCP knowledge

Regulatory compliance

Microsoft Office (Word/Excel)

Communication skills

Problem solving

Team leadership/collaboration

Education

Tertiary qualification in a relevant field

Job description

We're looking for a detail-focused and proactive Technical Systems Assessor to join our Finegand Operations team. In this role, you'll provide assurance that our quality control and food safety programmes are implemented effectively and consistently, meeting customer, regulatory, OMAR, and production requirements.

Working closely with the Technical Manager, Technical Coordinator, operational leaders and compliance stakeholders, you'll play a key role in maintaining our high standards of food safety, quality assurance and continuous improvement. You'll conduct auditing activities, support compliance functions, contribute to training initiatives and help ensure our technical systems continue to perform effectively.

This is an opportunity to make a meaningful impact in a business committed to excellence, animal welfare, environmental responsibility and producing quality food for customers around the world.

Shift Pattern: Monday to Friday 7.30am-4.00pm. You will need to be flexible and available to work outside standard hours when required, including supporting cleaning team audits and undertaking monthly pre-operational verifications before night shifts or on weekends.

In this role, you will:

Leadership

• Work closely with others to ensure effective cross-functional support throughout the business
• Support the Technical Coordinator in managing team workflows and priorities
• Provide subject matter expertise within your area of responsibility
• Contribute to coaching and leadership activities within the quality team

Technical and Quality Auditing

• Participate in the implementation and delivery of the plant internal audit programme
• Conduct audits across quality systems, environmental management systems, PBV requirements and documentation processes
• Review corrective actions and support customer quality audits
• Identify and communicate quality system defects and non-conformances
• Ensure audits are completed within required timeframes and records are accurately maintained
• Escalate issues affecting product disposition or production operations as required

Food Safety Compliance

• Support the maintenance and effectiveness of food safety programmes
• Assist with the management and monitoring of HACCP systems
• Ensure corrective and preventative actions are implemented effectively
• Participate in client, regulatory and external compliance audits, including MPI verification activities
• Contribute to technical compliance functions as part of the wider technical team

Technical Administration and Systems

• Provide technical administration support to the Technical Coordinator and wider team
• Assist in developing, implementing and reviewing policies, procedures and guidelines
• Assess existing systems and recommend opportunities for improvement
• Support ongoing compliance and technical reporting requirements

Reporting

• Prepare accurate and timely reports on compliance activities, projects and performance
• Assist with reporting on improvement initiatives and business outcomes
• Contribute to recommendations that support operational and technical improvements

You'll bring:

• Strong attention to detail and a commitment to quality and compliance
• Desirable to have a Halal auditing certification
• Excellent written, verbal and interpersonal communication skills
• A proactive, energetic approach and the ability to work collaboratively across teams
• Sound commercial awareness and problem-solving skills
• Experience in a technical, quality assurance, food safety or compliance-related role
• Strong knowledge of HACCP principles and their practical application
• Understanding of quality systems, auditing methodologies and regulatory compliance requirements
• Knowledge of legal and regulatory requirements applicable to the meat processing industry
• A tertiary qualification and/or relevant industry training and experience
• Confidence using Microsoft Office applications, including Word and Excel

Above all, you'll be passionate about maintaining high standards, supporting continuous improvement, and helping Silver Fern Farms deliver safe, quality products to customers around the world.

Te Ahurea / Why Silver Fern Farms?

At Silver Fern Farms, goodness is at the heart of everything we do. As part of our Finegand team, you'll enjoy:

• Discounted staff meat sales
• Paid sick leave from day one
• Subsidised health insurance
• Confidential employee assistance (career planning, financial advice and counselling)
• Free onsite parking
• Uniform provided

You'll be joining a workplace that values care, respect, animal welfare, environmental responsibility, and the wellbeing of our people and communities.

If you're excited about ensuring quality, food safety and compliance excellence within one of New Zealand's leading red meat producers, we'd love to hear from you.

Silver Fern Farms welcomes people from all backgrounds. We're committed to a diverse, inclusive workplace and providing equal opportunities for all applicants. Come and create goodness with us.