Extrusion Operator​/Technician - Pet Food​/Food Manufacturing; NZ

Extrusion Operator (Pet Food Manufacturing)

Location: Te Puke, Bay of Plenty, New Zealand (Overseas/On-site).
Employment Type: Full-time | Shift work (as rostered).

As an Extrusion Operator
, you will operate and monitor our pet food production lines—
extrusion as your primary line
, with support across batching, loading, and packing
. You will help produce safe, high-quality products at planned output rates by following SOPs, GMP/HACCP, and Health & Safety requirements. This role is hands-on and focused on routine plant operation, in-process checks, accurate records, basic equipment care, and housekeeping.

Production Line Operation & Process Control (All Lines):

• Run routine start-ups, changeovers, operations, and shutdowns on assigned lines (extrusion primary; batching/loading/packing as trained), using SOPs and checklists.
• Monitor process parameters (e.g.,
  temperature, moisture, pressure, speed, weights, metal detector checks
  ) and make routine SOP-approved adjustments within limits; escalate non-routine changes to the Production Lead / Shift Supervisor.
• Maintain steady material flow and correct batch/recipe sequencing 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 sequencing and traceability.
• Move raw materials, WIP, and finished goods between areas using pallet jacks or forklifts (if licensed and authorised).
• Support packing and palletising: cartons, pallet stacking, labeling, and pallet wrap to standard.
• Coordinate with Warehouse/Logistics to prevent line stoppages and support efficient changeovers (flushing/cleaning steps + documentation).

Product Quality Monitoring:

• Perform in-process checks on shape, size, color, density, texture, coating coverage, pack seals, coding/expiry
  , confirming products meet standards.
• Complete inline checks (metal detector challenges, weight checks, seal integrity, code legibility) and record accurately.
• Collect samples as required and coordinate with QA; follow QA/Lead instructions for routine corrections and rework.
• Report and escalate non-conformities, foreign matter risks, mislabeling, or abnormal readings immediately; follow segregation/hold/rework instructions.

Basic Equipment Care & Housekeeping (5S/GMP):

• Perform operator care only: cleaning, pre-start checks, visual inspections, and simple adjustments within training scope (technical repairs handled by Maintenance).
• Complete pre-start checks (guards, e-stops, sensors, foreign body controls) and report issues before production.
• Maintain clean, orderly, pest-safe areas in line with GMP/HACCP, allergen control, and 5S
  .
• Report equipment faults/noise/vibration promptly; assist during minor stoppages and restart as directed.

Health, Safety & Compliance:

• Follow company H&S policies and the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015
  .
• Use PPE correctly and follow LOTO, guarding, confined space, and other line-specific safety procedures.
• Stop work for unsafe conditions and report immediately.
• Report hazards/near misses/incidents and participate in corrective/preventive actions.
• Follow food safety, hygiene, allergen, and contamination-control procedures aligned with GMP/HACCP and customer/market requirements.

Documentation & Team

Collaboration:

• Record outputs, downtime, CCP/parameter logs, metal detector checks, weight checks, cleaning records, and traceability forms accurately and on time.
• Work closely with Operators, QA, Warehouse, and Supervisors to maintain smooth handovers and meet output targets.
• Participate in shift handovers (issues, actions, holds, upcoming changeovers).

Ad hoc:

• Support other tasks as assigned to meet changing operational needs.

Education:

• Secondary education (or equivalent) preferred.

Experience:

• Experience in extrusion machines in food, pet food, or FMCG manufacturing preferred.
• Minimum 2 year extrusion experience.
• Forklift licence is an advantage (must be licensed and authorised to operate onsite).

• Be part of a growing pet food manufacturing operation in Te Puke, Bay of Plenty, New Zealand
  .
• Work in a safety- and quality-driven environment with clear SOPs and training support.
• Stable, hands-on role with exposure across multiple production lines.

If you have extrusion experience and enjoy operating high-performing production lines with strong safety and quality standards, we’d like to hear from you.

Apply with your CV and include a short note about your extrusion experience and shift availability.