Site Manager - Christchurch
- Opportunity to lead a critical site at Kraft Heinz Watties!
- Collaborative and dynamic work environment
- Location: Christchurch, New Zealand
Leadership opportunity in a global FMCG organisation!
We're seeking a site manufacturing leader to drive the transformation agenda-elevating operational efficiency, customer and consumer outcomes, and culture-while coordinating core operations across agriculture and production planning, execution, quality, risk, maintenance, engineering, and cost control to achieve targets at optimal total cost. You will lead the deployment of our Manufacturing Playbooks and the Kraft Heinz Management System (KHMS), and build the technical and organisational capabilities needed to deliver our supply chain and broader business strategy.
The Company
The Kraft Heinz Company is one of the largest food and beverage companies in the world, with eight $1 billion+ brands and global sales of approximately $25 billion. Our brands are truly global, with products produced and marketed in over 40 countries. These beloved products include condiments and sauces, cheese and dairy, meals, meats, refreshment beverages, coffee, infant and nutrition products, and numerous other grocery products in a portfolio of more than 200 legacy and emerging brands.
Key position responsibilities include, but not limited to:
- Lead and role-model a strong safety culture; ensure safe work practices, reduce incidents, and run a proactive health and safety program across the site.
- Own product quality and food safety systems; aim for "right-first-time," prevent recalls, and reduce customer complaints.
- Manage site budgets and drive cost control to meet financial targets.
- Oversight & collaboration with the Agriculture team to drive best business outcomes for the end-to-end seasonal business, and deliver this season.
- Deliver to the production plan and partner with planning and sales to maximise on-time, in-full customer service.
- Develop and execute capital and maintenance plans to keep the site compliant, reliable, and positioned for future improvements.
- Protect site assets and ensure compliance with all financial procedures and controls.
- Build team skills and engagement; lead culture change; support performance reviews, talent development, and positive union relationships.
- Lead continuous improvement projects to lower cost, improve safety and quality, and reduce operational risk.
About you:
- Tertiary degree in Operations Management, Food Science, Accounting, or Engineering; able to apply practical problem-solving and sound technical judgment to improve safety, quality, and cost in a food manufacturing environment.
- Strong people leadership experience in large, complex food plants; proven success building capability and engagement across production, quality, maintenance, and engineering teams while fostering a strong, safety-first culture.
- Track record of delivering site transformation; budget deliverables, delivers measurable gains in productivity and service, reduces incidents and complaints, stabilises processes.
- Hands-on production management in fast-paced settings
- Experience with short shelf-life, high-risk foods (preferred); strong grasp of food safety fundamentals.
- Working knowledge of EHS (Environment, Health & Safety), QRMP (Quality Risk Management Program), and MPI regulatory frameworks (preferred).
- Tech-savvy and quick to learn new systems; practical experience with ERP/MES/CMMS and data tools (e.g., SAP, Power BI) to improve planning accuracy, inventory control, maintenance reliability, and performance visibility.
- Master's/MBA is an advantage; brings strategic thinking, financial acumen, and change leadership to capital planning, cost optimisation, and continuous improvement.
Benefits of working with us
- Pay for Performance - industry leading variable compensation offerings tied to company and individual performance on top of a competitive base salary package
- Parental Leave - paid time off for both primary AND secondary caregivers
- Leave Options - Purchased leave, volunteer leave and LiveWell leave programs to give you even more flexibility to plan your life and spend time on causes that matter
- Great Place to Work certification in Australia and New Zealand
- In House Training Programs
- Corporate Discount Programs
Ready to make an Impact?
If you're passionate about site management, eager to drive teams, and enjoy working in a fast-paced environment, please submit your application. We will be reviewing applications on a rolling basis and reserve the right to close our job advertisement early. We look forward to hearing from you!
#LI-DNI
Location(s)
Christchurch
Kraft Heinz is an Equal Opportunity Employer - Underrepresented Ethnic Minority Groups/Women/Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities/Sexual Orientation/Gender Identity and other protected classes.
Top Skills
What the Team is Saying
What We Do
Kraft Heinz is a global food company with a delicious heritage.
With iconic and emerging food and beverage brands around the world, we deliver the best taste, fun and quality to every table we touch.
We’re on a mission to disrupt not only our own business, but the global food industry. A consumer obsession and unexpected partnerships fuel our progress as we drive innovation across every part of our company.
Around the world, our people are connected by a culture of ownership, agility and endless curiosity. We also believe in being good humans, who are working to improve our company, communities, and planet.
We’re proud of where we’ve been – and even more thrilled about where we’re headed – as we nourish the world and lead the future of food.
Why Work With Us
We believe that great people make great companies, and we’re growing something great here at Kraft Heinz.
Operating in over 20 global markets, across 9 functions, no matter your career goals, we have a seat at the table for you.
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Kraft Heinz Offices
Hybrid Workspace
Employees engage in a combination of remote and on-site work.
We also believe providing a more flexible and agile model is essential in today’s workplace. A majority of our office-based employees will be able to work remotely for up to two days each week.
