Process Owner - Manufacturing Site Operations

About the role

Kraft Heinz is hiring a permanent Process Owner for its Manufacturing team at the Tomoana site in New Zealand. The role leads site operations, production results, team leadership and continuous improvement within a collaborative, dynamic environment.

Key responsibilities

• Lead health, safety and regulatory compliance: run daily safety checks, promote safe work practices and ensure food safety and environmental requirements are met.
• Oversee day-to-day production results: be accountable for output, efficiency, yield, waste and cost, run daily reviews and set actions to close gaps.
• Drive continuous improvement: maintain short- and medium-term improvement plans, coach problem-solving and support projects that reduce defects.
• Develop and manage the team: lead and coach team leaders and maintenance leads, set expectations, conduct performance reviews and handle employee relations with HR support.
• Manage resources and budgets: own labour and cost centre budgets, allocate people and equipment, ensure accurate timekeeping and support capital planning.
• Improve equipment reliability by coordinating maintenance with engineering to reduce downtime.
• Collaborate with quality, engineering, planning, HR and procurement, and represent the area in plant governance and audits.
• Set daily production priorities, manage shift performance actions and recommend priority improvements and capital work.

Required profile

• Strong, proven experience in FMCG or complex manufacturing with hands-on production leadership.
• Proven track record leading frontline teams in a manufacturing environment and managing labour performance.
• Strong focus on safety, risk management and food/quality compliance, with a zero-harm mindset.
• Skilled in structured problem-solving and continuous improvement (e.g. root-cause analysis).
• Degree in Engineering, Food Science, Industrial Engineering or Business preferred; sound knowledge of NZ employment legislation beneficial.
• Comfortable spending most of the time on the plant floor and supporting escalations outside standard hours in a 24/7 operation.
• Eligible to work in New Zealand with full working rights.

What we offer

• Pay for Performance: variable compensation tied to company and individual performance on top of a competitive base salary.
• Paid parental leave for primary and secondary caregivers.
• Leave options including purchased leave, volunteer leave and LiveWell leave programs.
• Great Place to Work certification in Australia and New Zealand.
• In-house training programs and corporate discount programs.