Production Worker

Position: Production Worker  Location: 240 Jellicoe St. Te Puke, Bay of Plenty, New Zealand Working hours: 35 hours per week Salary Range: NZ$49,140-50,960/annum Number of vacancies: 5  JOB PURPOSE Operate and monitor pet food production lines including but not limited to batching, loading, extrusion, and packing and related equipment to produce safe, high-quality products at planned output rates. The role focuses on routine plant operation, in-process checks, accurate recording, basic equipment care, and housekeeping across all assigned lines, following SOPs, GMP/HACCP, and Health & Safety requirements.  JOB RESPONSIBILITIES 1. Production Line Operation & Process Control (All Lines)  Perform routine line start-up, operation, changeovers, and shutdown on assigned lines, with extrusion as the primary line and other lines such as batching, loading, and packing, using SOPs and checklists.  Monitor process parameters (e.g., temperature, moisture, pressure, speed, weights, metal detector checks) and make routine SOP-approved adjustments within defined limits; escalate non-routine changes to the Production Lead / Shift Supervisor.  Maintain steady material flow and correct batch/recipe sequencing between lines (from raw materials through to finished goods).  Weigh/measure and load ingredients, premixes, and packaging materials based on issued formulations, pick lists, and work orders.  Operate batching automation and/or manual batching steps as trained, ensuring correct ingredient sequencing and traceability.  Stage and transfer raw materials, WIP, and finished goods between areas (e.g., warehouse, batching, extrusion, drying, coating, packing) using pallet jacks or forklifts as licensed and authorised.  Perform packing and palletising activities, including making up cartons, stacking pallets, applying labels, and wrapping pallets as per standards.  Coordinate with Warehouse/Logistics for timely supply and removal of materials to avoid line stoppages.  Perform efficient changeovers between products, ensuring correct flushing/cleaning steps and documentation. 2. Product Quality Monitoring Perform in-process visual checks (shape, size, color, density, texture, coating coverage, pack seals, coding/expiry dates) and confirm products meet standards before transferring to downstream steps (drying, coating, packing, palletising).  Conduct in-line checks (e.g., metal detector challenges, weight checks, seal integrity checks, code legibility) and record results accurately.  Collect samples as required and coordinate with QA for checks; act on QA/Lead instructions for routine corrections and rework.  Immediately report non-conformities, foreign matter risks, mislabeling, or abnormal readings to the Lead/Supervisor and follow instructions on segregation, hold, or rework.  3. Basic Equipment Care & Housekeeping (5 S/GMP) Conduct basic operator care only (cleaning, pre-start checks, visual inspection, simple adjustments within training); repairs and technical maintenance are completed by trained technicians.  Complete pre-start checks (guards, emergency stops, sensors, foreign body controls) and report issues before starting production.  Keep all assigned production areas clean, orderly, and pest-safe, aligned with GMP/HACCP, allergen control, and 5 S standards. Promptly report equipment faults or abnormal noise/vibration; assist Maintenance/ Technicians during minor stoppages and restart as directed. 4. Health, Safety & Compliance Follow all company H&S policies and the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015.  Use PPE correctly, follow lock-out/tag-out, machine guarding, confined space, and other safety procedures relevant to each line.  Stop work for unsafe conditions and immediately notify the Lead/Supervisor or H&S representative.  Report hazards, near misses, and incidents immediately and participate in corrective/ preventive actions (e.g., toolbox talks, risk assessments).  Follow all food safety, hygiene, allergen, and contamination-control procedures in line with GMP, HACCP, and customer/market requirements. 5. Documentation & Team Collaboration Accurately record production outputs, downtime, CCP/parameter logs, metal detector checks, weight checks, cleaning records, and traceability forms for all assigned lines.  Ensure paperwork and electronic entries are complete, legible, and done in real time or as instructed.  Work closely with other operators, QA, Warehouse, and supervisors to maintain smooth shift handovers and achieve output targets.  Participate in shift handover discussions (issues, actions, open holds, upcoming changeovers) to keep the next team informed 6. Ad hoc Perform other tasks as assigned and realign work as needed to support changing business needs  JOB REQUIREMENTS Education Completion of secondary education (or equivalent) preferred. Work Experience Experience in food, pet food, or FMCG manufacturing is preferred.   Minimum 1 year extrusion experience; 2+ years preferred