Mechanical Maintenance Manager

Lead a critical maintenance function in a large, complex dairy processing site in Hokitika.
  
My client is looking for an experienced Mechanical Manager to lead the day-to-day mechanical maintenance function at a large-scale dairy manufacturing site in Hokitika.

This is a key leadership role within the site, with responsibility for a sizeable mechanical maintenance team and a diverse range of processing, packing and site equipment. You’ll be joining at an important time for the business, with opportunities to strengthen maintenance execution, reliability and team capability.
  
About the Role
Reporting to the Maintenance & Services Manager, you’ll lead the mechanical maintenance function across a complex food manufacturing site, ensuring plant and equipment is maintained safely, reliably and efficiently.

You’ll lead a team of fitters, leading hands, welders and apprentices, while overseeing specialist packing maintenance. The role covers planned, preventative and reactive maintenance, shutdowns, breakdown response and fault finding, as well as contractor management.

Working closely with Production and other site functions, you’ll ensure maintenance priorities support operational requirements, equipment availability is maximised and work is completed to a high standard. You’ll also play a key role in developing team capability, improving maintenance practices and strengthening reliability across the site.
 
Please note, this role will require you to relocated to Hokitika on the West Coast.
 
About you
This is a hands-on leadership role where your ability to manage people will be just as important as your mechanical knowledge. You’ll be an experienced maintenance leader who understands the realities of a high-volume food or dairy manufacturing environment.
Ideally, you will bring:

• Trade or degree qualified in mechanical engineering.
• Proven experience leading maintenance teams.
• Strong mechanical maintenance experience in dairy, food or FMCG manufacturing.
• Strong knowledge of pumps, processing equipment and mechanical systems.
• Experience managing planned and reactive maintenance in a 24/7 environment.
• Confidence managing contractors and external service providers.
• The ability to lead a diverse team with different levels of experience and capability.
• Strong communication and relationship-building skills across maintenance and production.
• A practical, solutions-focused approach to fault finding and problem solving.
• The maturity and resilience to operate effectively in a complex manufacturing environment.
• Must have full NZ working rights.

You don’t need to be the person turning the spanner anymore, but you do need to understand what good mechanical maintenance looks like and be able to lead others to deliver it.
  
Why Hokitika?
Hokitika offers an exceptional lifestyle for people who want to make the most of the outdoors, with hunting, fishing, hiking and other activities right on your doorstep. The town has a relaxed community feel, with good local eateries and everything you need close by.

With comparatively affordable housing and strong earning opportunities, the region offers an attractive alternative to the pressures and costs of the larger centres.
  
Apply now
If you are an experienced mechanical maintenance leader with a strong food, dairy or FMCG background and are ready for a new challenge on the West Coast, we’d like to hear from you.
Submit your CV through the relevant ‘apply’ button. For a confidential enquiry, contact Olivia Lawrence at [email protected] or [04 9160 536](tel:04 9160 536)