Extrusion Technician - New Zealand Employment

About the Role

Extrusion Technician (Pet Food Manufacturing) — Te Puke, Bay of Plenty, New Zealand. Full-time, onsite role with shift work as rostered. Operate and monitor pet food production lines (extrusion primary) and support batching, loading, and packing while following SOPs, GMP/HACCP and Health & Safety requirements.

Responsibilities

• 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 (temperature, moisture, pressure, speed, weights, metal detector checks) and make routine SOP-approved adjustments; escalate non-routine changes to Production Lead/Shift Supervisor.
• Maintain material flow and correct batch/recipe sequencing from raw materials through finished goods; weigh/measure and load ingredients, premixes and packaging per formulations, pick lists and work orders.
• Operate batching automation and/or manual batching steps as trained, ensuring sequencing and traceability; move materials and goods using pallet jacks or forklifts (if licensed and authorised).
• Support packing and palletising including cartons, pallet stacking, labelling and pallet wrap to standard; coordinate with Warehouse/Logistics to prevent line stoppages and support efficient changeovers.
• Perform in-process quality checks (shape, size, colour, density, texture, coating, pack seals, coding/expiry), complete inline checks (metal detector, weight, seal integrity, code legibility) and record accurately; collect samples and coordinate with QA.
• Report and escalate non-conformities, foreign matter risks, mislabelling or abnormal readings; follow segregation/hold/rework instructions.
• Perform operator care: cleaning, pre-start checks, visual inspections and simple adjustments within training scope; report equipment faults and assist during minor stoppages.
• Maintain clean, orderly, pest-safe areas in line with GMP/HACCP, allergen control and 5S; record outputs, downtime, CCP/parameter logs, metal detector checks, weight checks, cleaning records and traceability forms accurately and on time.
• Follow company H&S policies and the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015, use PPE, follow LOTO, guarding and confined space procedures, stop work for unsafe conditions and report hazards/near misses/incidents.
• Work closely with Operators, QA, Warehouse and Supervisors, participate in shift handovers and support other tasks as assigned to meet operational needs.

Qualifications

• Graduate of an Engineering course preferred.
• Minimum 3 years extrusion experience in food, pet food or FMCG manufacturing preferred.
• Experience operating extrusion machines preferred; forklift licence an advantage (must be licensed and authorised to operate onsite).

Benefits

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

How to Apply

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