Extrusion Operator (Pet Food Manufacturing)
Location: Te Puke, Bay of Plenty, New Zealand (On-site)- Tauranga Plant
Employment Type: Full-time | Shift work (as rostered)
About the Role:
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.
What You’ll Do:
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.
What We’re Looking For:
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).
Why Join Us:
- 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.
Apply Now:
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.