Site Manager

Job Description

Site Manager – Christchurch 

• Opportunity to lead a critical site at Kraft Heinz Watties!
• Collaborative and dynamic work environment
• Location: Christchurch, New Zealand
• Leadership opportunity in a global FMCG organisation!
• Opportunity to lead a critical site at Kraft Heinz Watties!
• Collaborative and dynamic work environment
• Location: Christchurch, New Zealand
• Leadership opportunity in a global FMCG organisation!

We’re seeking a site manufacturing leader to drive the transformation agenda—elevating operational efficiency, customer and consumer outcomes, and culture—while coordinating core operations across agriculture and production planning, execution, quality, risk, maintenance, engineering, and cost control to achieve targets at optimal total cost. You will lead the deployment of our Manufacturing Playbooks and the Kraft Heinz Management System (KHMS), and build the technical and organisational capabilities needed to deliver our supply chain and broader business strategy.

The Company

The Kraft Heinz Company is one of the largest food and beverage companies in the world, with eight $1 billion+ brands and global sales of approximately $25 billion. Our brands are truly global, with products produced and marketed in over 40 countries. These beloved products include condiments and sauces, cheese and dairy, meals, meats, refreshment beverages, coffee, infant and nutrition products, and numerous other grocery products in a portfolio of more than 200 legacy and emerging brands.

Key position responsibilities include, but not limited to:

• Lead and role‑model a strong safety culture; ensure safe work practices, reduce incidents, and run a proactive health and safety program across the site.
• Own product quality and food safety systems; aim for “right‑first‑time,” prevent recalls, and reduce customer complaints.
• Manage site budgets and drive cost control to meet financial targets.
• Oversight & collaboration with the Agriculture team to drive best business outcomes for the end-to-end seasonal business, and deliver this season.
• Deliver to the production plan and partner with planning and sales to maximise on‑time, in‑full customer service.
• Develop and execute capital and maintenance plans to keep the site compliant, reliable, and positioned for future improvements.
• Protect site assets and ensure compliance with all financial procedures and controls.
• Build team skills and engagement; lead culture change; support performance reviews, talent development, and positive union relationships.
• Lead continuous improvement projects to lower cost, improve safety and quality, and reduce operational risk.

About You:

• Tertiary degree in Operations Management, Food Science, Accounting, or Engineering; able to apply practical problem‑solving and sound technical judgment to improve safety, quality, and cost in a food manufacturing environment.
• Strong people leadership experience in large, complex food plants; proven success building capability and engagement across production, quality, maintenance, and engineering teams while fostering a strong, safety‑first culture.
• Track record of delivering site transformation; budget deliverables, delivers measurable gains in productivity and service, reduces incidents and complaints, stabilises processes.
• Hands‑on production management in fast‑paced settings
• Experience with short shelf‑life, high‑risk foods (preferred); strong grasp of food safety fundamentals.
• Working knowledge of EHS (Environment, Health & Safety), QRMP (Quality Risk Management Program), and MPI regulatory frameworks (preferred).
• Tech‑savvy and quick to learn new systems; practical experience with ERP/MES/CMMS and data tools (e.g., SAP, Power BI) to improve planning accuracy, inventory control, maintenance reliability, and performance visibility.
• Master’s/MBA is an advantage; brings strategic thinking, financial acumen, and change leadership to capital planning, cost optimisation, and continuous improvement.

Benefits of working with us

• Pay for Performance – industry leading variable compensation offerings tied to company and individual performance on top of a competitive base salary package
• Parental Leave – paid time off for both primary AND secondary caregivers
• Leave Options – Purchased leave, volunteer leave and LiveWell leave programs to give you even more flexibility to plan your life and spend time on causes that matter
• Great Place to Work certification in Australia and New Zealand
• In House Training Programs
• Ready to make an Impact?

• Corporate Discount Programs

• Great Place to Work certification in Australia and New Zealand
• In House Training Programs
• Ready to make an Impact?

If you're passionate about site management, eager to drive teams, and enjoy working in a fast-paced environment, please submit your application. We will be reviewing applications on a rolling basis and reserve the right to close our job advertisement early. We look forward to hearing from you!

#LI-DNI

Location(S)

Christchurch

Kraft Heinz is an Equal Opportunity Employer – Underrepresented Ethnic Minority Groups/Women/Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities/Sexual Orientation/Gender Identity and other protected classes.