Te Tūranga / About the Role
Our Te Aroha site plays a key role within Silver Fern Farms, and we're looking for an experienced and people-focused leader to join the team as Processing Manager.
This is a senior operational leadership position with responsibility for all processing operations across the site. Reporting to the Site Manager, you'll provide leadership across production, health and safety, quality, compliance and continuous improvement, ensuring the site consistently delivers exceptional operational performance while meeting customer and business expectations.
While operational experience is important, this role is first and foremost about leadership. We're looking for someone who can build trust, develop capability and bring out the best in people. You'll understand that effective leadership isn't one-size-fits-all and can adapt your approach to connect with different individuals, teams and situations. Working closely with your leadership team, you'll create an environment where people feel supported, challenged and empowered to perform at their best.
Te Mahi / Key Responsibilities
- Lead and develop high-performing teams by coaching leaders, building capability and fostering a culture of accountability, engagement and continuous improvement.
- Drive operational excellence by delivering safe, efficient and high-quality production outcomes that meet customer and business requirements.
- Champion health, safety and compliance by maintaining the highest standards across production operations and promoting a strong safety culture.
- Think beyond today's challenges by identifying lean management opportunities to improve performance, solve complex problems and support future site development.
- Partner across the business to align operational priorities, support strategic initiatives and contribute as a key member of the site leadership team.
Ōu Pūkenga / About You
You're an experienced operational leader who knows how to get the best out of people. You're confident making decisions, comfortable operating in a fast-paced manufacturing environment and able to balance the needs of production, safety, quality and people. You're open-minded, solutions-focused and willing to challenge conventional thinking to achieve better outcomes.
Most importantly, you are a people-first leader who understands that successful leadership is built on adaptability, empathy and influence. You bring the ability to connect with a diverse workforce, build capability in others and create an environment where individuals and teams can perform at their best.
To be successful in this role, you'll have:
- Proven leadership experience within manufacturing, processing, operations or a similar production environment.
- Strong people leadership skills, with the ability to coach, develop and inspire leaders and teams.
- A broad operational mindset with experience across production, health and safety, quality and compliance.
- Strong problem-solving and decision-making capability, with the confidence to think differently and challenge the status quo in line with Lean Management principles.
- The ability to build strong relationships, communicate effectively and lead through change.
Experience within the red meat industry would be highly regarded, however we are also interested in leaders from wider manufacturing, food processing or operational environments who can bring fresh thinking, strong leadership and a passion for developing people.
Te Ahurea /Why work at Silver Fern Farms?
Silver Fern Farms are all about Creating Goodness from the Farms the World Needs. Creating goodness is about taking a broader view of what goodness means, how we can create it and the impact it can have. That Goodness is created through the work of our People, the skill & expertise of our Farmers and our customers around the globe. ‘Goodness’ is also about being good to people and communities, animal welfare, and showing care and respect for the environment.
Tono Mai /To Apply:
Applications are open now and will be reviewed as they’re received. Click “Apply” to submit your application via our Careers Website. Applications close on Thursday 27 August 2026.
Silver Fern Farms welcomes people from all backgrounds and walks of life. We are proud to have a diverse and inclusive environment and are committed to providing equal opportunities for all team members and applicants. Come and create goodness together with us. You can see more about our commitments to our people and their work by visiting our Belong Here webpage: https://careers.silverfernfarms.com/nz/en/belong-here
Skills Required
- Proven leadership experience within manufacturing, processing, operations or a similar production environment
- Strong people leadership skills, with the ability to coach, develop and inspire leaders and teams
- Experience across production, health and safety, quality and compliance
- Strong problem-solving and decision-making capability with Lean Management principles
- Ability to build strong relationships, communicate effectively and lead through change
- Experience within the red meat industry
What We Do
Silver Fern Farms is New Zealand's leading processor, marketer, and exporter of premium quality lamb, beef, and venison, striving to be the world's most successful and sustainable grass-fed red meat company.
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