Extrusion Technician

About the Role

Extrusion Technician — Pet Food Manufacturing. Location: Te Puke, Bay of Plenty, New Zealand (On-site). Employment Type: Full-time, shift work (as rostered). Operate and monitor pet food production lines (extrusion as primary line; support across batching, loading and packing). Role focused on routine plant operation, in-process checks, accurate records, basic equipment care and housekeeping 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 within limits; escalate non-routine changes to 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 from 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, pallet wrap).
• Coordinate with Warehouse/Logistics to prevent line stoppages and support efficient changeovers (including flushing/cleaning steps and documentation).
• Perform in-process quality checks on shape, size, colour, density, texture, coating coverage, pack seals, coding/expiry; 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, mislabelling or abnormal readings and follow segregation/hold/rework instructions.
• Perform operator care only: cleaning, pre-start checks, visual inspections and simple adjustments within training scope; report equipment faults/noise/vibration promptly and assist during minor stoppages and restarts.
• Maintain clean, orderly, pest-safe areas in line with GMP/HACCP, allergen control and 5S; complete cleaning and housekeeping duties as required.
• Follow company H&S policies and the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015: use PPE, follow LOTO, guarding, confined space and other line-specific safety procedures; stop work for unsafe conditions and report hazards/near misses/incidents.
• Accurately record outputs, downtime, CCP/parameter logs, metal detector checks, weight checks, cleaning records and traceability forms; participate in shift handovers and team coordination.
• Support other tasks as assigned to meet changing operational needs.

Qualifications

• Graduate of Engineering course preferred.
• Minimum 3 years extrusion experience in food, pet food or FMCG manufacturing preferred.
• Experience with extrusion machines and production line operation.
• Forklift licence is an advantage (must be licensed and authorised to operate onsite).

Benefits

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

Additional Information

If you have extrusion experience and enjoy operating high-performing production lines with strong safety and quality standards, apply with your CV and include a short note about your extrusion experience and shift availability.