Production Manager

Production Manager – Ice Cream Location: Auckland

An established New Zealand food manufacturing business is seeking an experienced Production Manager to lead operations within a high-volume ice cream manufacturing environment.

This is a hands-on leadership role responsible for the day-to-day management of production operations across safety, quality, performance, people leadership and continuous improvement. The successful candidate will play a key role in driving operational efficiency while maintaining the highest standards of product quality, compliance and team culture.

About the role Reporting to the Site Operations Manager, you will lead a production function focused on delivering strong operational outcomes across output, yields, cost control, safety and quality.

You will be responsible for:

• Leading daily production operations across processing, filling and packing
• Driving continuous improvement initiatives across plant performance and efficiency
• Ensuring compliance with all health, safety, quality and RMP requirements
• Managing KPIs including OEE, plan attainment, losses, giveaways and labour utilisation
• Supporting production planning and working closely with supply chain and engineering teams
• Leading, coaching and developing supervisors and production staff
• Managing plant reporting, production data accuracy and operational analysis
• Supporting capital projects, process improvement and new product initiatives
• Maintaining a strong culture of accountability, safety and performance

This role requires someone who can balance strategic thinking with strong operational execution and visible leadership on the factory floor.

About you You will be an experienced manufacturing leader with a strong background in food, dairy or FMCG production environments.

You will bring:

• Proven production leadership experience within a manufacturing environment
• Strong understanding of continuous improvement and operational performance management
• Experience managing KPIs, production reporting and plant efficiencies
• A strong commitment to health, safety and quality standards
• Experience leading teams in a fast-paced production environment
• Strong communication and people leadership capability
• The ability to influence culture, performance and accountability across shifts and teams
• Sound problem-solving and decision-making skills

Experience within dairy or ice cream manufacturing will be highly regarded.

What’s on offer

• This is an opportunity to join a stable and growing manufacturing business with a strong operational footprint in New Zealand.
• A senior operational leadership position
• A fast-paced manufacturing environment with genuine scale
• The ability to influence plant performance and culture
• Long-term career development opportunities
• A business committed to operational excellence and continuous improvement

If you are a driven production leader who enjoys improving systems, developing people and delivering results in manufacturing, we would welcome your application to tom@alexanderjames.co.nz