Cheese Plant - Quality Controller
Open Country Dairy Ltd
What the role involves
- Conducting plant inspections
- Monitoring quality controls
- Managing product samples
What they ask for
NCEA Level 3, School Certificate, Sixth Form Certificate, or equivalent secondary or relevant vocational qualification; Core Dairy Level 3 Certificate unit standards; experience with process or systems administration and working with suppliers
About the job
About The Company
Open Country Dairy is New Zealand's largest independent dairy manufacturer, producing a wide range of dairy ingredients and products for global markets. Since 2004, we have built a reputation for quality, operational excellence, and innovation, backed by modern manufacturing facilities and a strong commitment to our people.
We are looking for a practical and quality-focused Cheese Plant Quality Controller to join our Waharoa team. Reporting to the Cheese and Butter Plant Manager, you will help coordinate quality control across Liquids processing, Cheese & Butter manufacturing ensuring our products and processes meet the required quality, safety, hygiene and environmental standards.
This is a permanent full-time position working 12.25-hour shifts on a rotating roster of two days on, two nights on, followed by four days off.
What you will be doing
- Conduct pre-start / in-process inspections and sampling across various processing plants
- Monitor quality and critical control points, including milk reception checks.
- Manage the collection and timely despatch of product samples to external laboratories
- Support plant hygiene, GMP and compliance with standard operating procedures.
- Participate in plant audits and surveillance activities
- Gather quality data, prepare reports and escalate out-of-specification results.
- NCEA Level 3, School Certificate, Sixth Form Certificate, or an equivalent secondary or relevant vocational qualification.
- Core Dairy Level 3 Certificate unit standards.
- Experience with process or systems administration and working with suppliers.
- Strong computer literacy and clear written and verbal communication skills.
- A high standard of personal hygiene, presentation and attention to detail.
- Good time management and the confidence to uphold quality and hygiene standards in a production environment.
- A strong commitment to health and safety and the physical fitness required for the role.
- Experience in the dairy industry or food manufacturing.
- A Diploma in Cheese Technology or an equivalent qualification.
- Knowledge of dairy processing, aseptic sampling, auditing or HACCP.
What you will bring
It would be an advantage if you have
If you are safety-conscious, comfortable working across a busy manufacturing environment and committed to maintaining high-quality standards, we would like to hear from you.
Apply now with your CV and a brief cover letter outlining your relevant experience.
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