Head of Site Operations

Role overview

We are looking for a senior manufacturing leader to take end-to-end responsibility for a highly advanced infant nutrition production site in Auckland. Reporting to the Site General Manager, you will oversee a 24/7 processing and blending operation and provide strategic as well as day-to-day leadership for a multicultural workforce of around 200 people. This is a high-impact opportunity to drive operational excellence at a major global manufacturing asset.

Operational scope

• Own the overall performance of a flagship in-house manufacturing facility that is central to long-term global growth plans.
• Lead the full production flow across spray drying, wet-mix operations, high-speed canning, utilities, and engineering support.
• Ensure the site delivers required output safely, efficiently, and consistently.

Key leadership and business responsibilities

• Set direction for a large, diverse team and build a culture focused on safety, accountability, engagement, and shared purpose.
• Work closely with engineering, maintenance, and project teams to improve asset reliability and support capital investment activities.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives to strengthen site performance.
• Maintain an audit-ready facility that meets international food safety expectations and strict infant milk formula export requirements, including SAMR and MPI compliance.
• Control the site operating budget, reduce manufacturing cost, limit waste, and deliver against right-first-time and overall equipment effectiveness targets.
• Communicate site performance and operational priorities clearly to executive and corporate stakeholders.

Candidate profile

• You bring deep operational experience in dairy manufacturing, with essential hands-on knowledge of infant milk formula processing.
• You have strong understanding of spray drying technology and large-scale production environments.
• You have led multicultural teams of 200 or more people and can unite teams with different backgrounds and working styles.
• You are comfortable making decisive, data-led improvements in a demanding, fast-moving manufacturing setting.
• You can translate complex factory operations into clear strategic updates for senior leadership.

Why this opportunity stands out

• You will take ownership of a premium, high-investment plant that plays a key role in a global infant formula supply chain.
• The role offers broad autonomy to strengthen capability, improve culture, and enhance engineering and operational processes.
• International candidates with infant milk formula experience are welcome to apply.
• The package includes a competitive executive salary, short-term incentives, and benefits.

Additional information

The facility operates around the clock, seven days a week. The role requires strong commercial discipline, lean manufacturing thinking, and the ability to lead in a high-pressure environment.