Process Manager / Senior Process Manager

About Our Company

We are a prominent supplier of premium food and beverage ingredients, collaborating with farming communities worldwide to cultivate, source, and manufacture ingredients beneficial to consumers, farmers, and the environment. Our offerings include cocoa, coffee, dairy, nuts, and spices, often produced on our own estates or sourced from a vast network of farmers in over 50 countries. Our extensive manufacturing and innovation capabilities support diverse products like plant-based latte mixes, almond snacks, and dairy-free ice creams. Our commitment to positive impact is embedded in our purpose to champion good food and a sustainable future. By maintaining a strong presence in ingredient-growing regions, we ensure superior quality and trustworthy, traceable supply chains.

Dairy Division

Dairy has been a vital nutritional component globally. We facilitate the global distribution of dairy products leveraging our supply chain expertise across 25 countries and six continents, sourcing from approximately 300,000 cows. Our dairy ingredients are procured through multiple suppliers and manufacturers across North and South America, Europe, and Oceania.

Our first dairy production site is in Johor, Malaysia, focused on filled milk powder and blended dairy products and serves as a hub for dairy innovation aimed at Asia, Middle East, and Africa. Our second facility, located in Tokoroa, New Zealand, neighbors numerous quality farms within the Waikato region—New Zealand's dairy heartland—and partners with over 100 dairy farmers supplying raw milk.

We emphasize environmentally conscious solutions such as biomass boilers and almond by-product animal feed for dairy cattle in New Zealand to minimize industry challenges.

Job Summary

The Process Manager or Senior Process Manager will report to the Site Manager and be accountable for overseeing the complete processing operations at the plant to achieve production goals, uphold quality, safety, and environmental standards. This pivotal technical role supports the New Zealand Dairy value-added program and acts as the primary technical liaison for Tier 1 customers. The role drives continuous improvement, asset management, team development, and fulfillment of manufacturing KPIs aligned with our corporate strategy.

Key Responsibilities

• Design and manage critical process recipes targeting specific product functional attributes.
• Lead initiatives for capital investments and process modifications (SOPs) to optimize throughput, yield, and product timeliness while ensuring consistent top-quality output and flexibility in product assortment.
• Create and maintain "process signatures" and control measures that reliably achieve customer-defined functional properties.
• Serve as the key customer interface, translating their needs into operational excellence.
• Share operational best practices across the company's broader manufacturing network, which includes dairy and non-dairy facilities.
• Build and sustain strong partnerships with the global product innovation team.
• Lead product trial runs and commercialization efforts.
• Participate actively in onboarding new customers and qualifying products.
• Maintain key operational relationships with strategic customer partners throughout the value chain.
• Ensure execution of the production plan provided by the Supply Chain team.
• Collaborate with Human Resources to establish comprehensive training programs.
• Maintain and regularly update Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) as directed by the Site Manager.
• Develop new SOPs to support growth phases.

Qualifications and Experience

• Desired tertiary qualification in Engineering, Food Technology, Science, or related fields.
• Over 10 years of proven leadership experience in manufacturing or processing, including a minimum of 5 years specializing in Milk Protein Concentrates (MPC) production.
• Expertise in process optimization involving membrane and advanced filtration technologies.
• Strong leadership skills with demonstrated ability to enhance team capabilities and engagement.
• Comprehensive knowledge of food processing operations and quality assurance systems.
• Excellent communicator with analytical and problem-solving aptitude.
• Familiarity with Safety Management Systems and commitment to workplace safety.
• Experience working with SAP or equivalent ERP systems.
• Preferably significant background in the dairy industry.
• Project management experience is advantageous.
• Willingness and ability to be based full-time at the Tokoroa, New Zealand facility.

Equal Opportunity Statement

Our company embraces equal opportunity employment and values workplace diversity. We consider all applicants without discrimination based on race, ethnicity, age, religion, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, or any other legally protected characteristics.

Application Process

Candidates must fully complete the application steps and submit a detailed resume to be considered for this opening.