Engineering Manager

Lead the team that keeps our processing operations running safely and reliably, and help shape what comes next.

LeaderBrand is looking for an experienced Engineering Manager to lead engineering, reliability and maintenance across our Gisborne processing operations, including our state-of-the-art Salad House.

This is a hands-on leadership role in a fast-paced, high-spec food production environment. You'll lead a capable team and work closely with Production and Technical to keep our equipment, utilities and facilities safe, reliable and fit for purpose.

What you'll do:

• Lead, coach and develop the Engineering team
• Build a safety-first culture, including contractor management, permits and isolations
• Improve plant reliability, maintenance planning and shutdowns, and cut unplanned downtime
• Strengthen preventive maintenance, critical spares and CMMS discipline
• Find and deliver practical automation, technology and capital projects
• Manage engineering budgets, contractors and utilities

What you'll bring:

• A trade qualification or equivalent engineering experience (electrical, mechanical, mechatronics or similar)
• A track record leading maintenance or engineering teams in food, FMCG, pharma or another fast-paced production environment
• Strong people leadership: you set clear expectations and follow through
• Solid root-cause problem solving and experience improving maintenance systems
• Exposure to automation, PLCs, controls or project delivery
• Commercial sense around budgets, costs and investment priorities
• GMP, HACCP, Lean or TPM experience is a bonus

Why LeaderBrand?

LeaderBrand is a proudly New Zealand-owned family business with more than 400 people nationwide, producing fresh, high-quality food for Kiwi families. From garden gate to dinner plate, quality matters. The business is investing in its people, technology and capability, so you'll have real scope to shape how engineering is done here.

Interested?

People Plus is managing recruitment for this role on behalf of LeaderBrand. To apply, send your CV and a short cover letter by 5pm, Wednesday 21 October . For the full job description, email Amber Nikora at [email protected].

Candidates must have the right to work in New Zealand.