Process Operators

About Us

King Country Pet Food is based near Taumarunui in the heart of the historic King Country region, on the banks of the beautiful Whanganui River. Our core values include maintaining strong and respectful connections with our local community, caring for the animals we produce food for, and taking pride in the quality of the products we create. We take great pride in calling King Country home.

As we continue to expand our commercial production operations, we are looking for motivated people to join our team. Working in our state-of-the-art facility, you will help produce high-quality pet food products using premium ingredients and advanced processing technology, contributing to a business that is proudly growing its presence in New Zealand and international markets.

The Role

We are currently looking for people to join our Packing Team, along with expressions of interest from those interested in future opportunities within our Meat Room, Extrusion, and Milling teams.

Reporting to the relevant Line Manager, Supervisor or Shift Manager, you will play an important role in our manufacturing operation, helping to produce high-quality pet food products in a safe, efficient, and quality-focused environment.

Depending on the area you work in, duties may include preparing meat and other wet or dry ingredients, weighing and batching recipes, operating processing and packaging equipment, loading and unloading trolleys, setting up production lines, packing and boxing finished products, palletising and wrapping, cleaning, and undertaking other general production tasks as required. A current forklift licence and proven operating experience would be advantageous.

Being physically fit and healthy, able to work efficiently in a fast-paced environment, think on your feet, and maintain a high attention to detail is essential due to the nature of our operation.

The ideal candidate will thrive in a team environment where initiative, reliability, and good communication skills are highly valued. You will have a strong work ethic, a positive attitude, and a willingness to learn and contribute to the ongoing success of our business.

Experience in food processing and/or a manufacturing environment is preferred. However, we are more interested in people who have the right attitude and aptitude, are reliable, willing to learn, and keen to be part of a strong and growing team. Full training will be provided.

We offer full-time employment opportunities, with flexibility required around shift rostering. Overtime opportunities may be available from time to time and will be discussed on a case-by-case basis.

Key Job / Role Responsibilities

• Checking Recipes and the raw ingredients going into product.
• Preparing dry and wet ingredients / batching.
• Mixing and processing ingredients
• Loading and uploading trolleys ready for product drying
• Packing / Labeling product
• Wrapping and palitising product ready for shipping
• Ensure food safety protocols are followed.
• Cleaning / Hygiene - Ensuring all areas and equipment are cleaned to MPI standards (pre-opp / post opp)
• Basic administration duties (completing paperwork) as per your role requirements on a day-to-day basis.
• Ensuring Health, Safety and Environment and Quality Management policies and procedures are adhered to.
• Participating in mandatory training as and when required.
• Support the business by identifying new opportunities.
• Assist in other areas of production as may be required from time to time.

Key Skills and Experience:

• Good communication skills.
• Good literacy and numeracy skills
• Active listening - ability to understand and respond effectively to other team members.
• Hands-on, and detail focused
• An enthusiastic can-do attitude and willingness to go the extra mile.
• Dedicated to providing outstanding customer service
• Able to meet multiple deadlines and priotise work through good organisational skills
• Basic food hygiene understanding or qualification
• Workplace Health & Safety awareness;

Desirable Knowledge / Skills:

• Experience in the pet food / meat industry
• Experience in a food manufacturing role
• Export Food Safety and Compliance knowledge
• Health & Safety knowledge and awareness
• Current forklift license and good operating skills, would be advantageous
• Competent in Microsoft Office Suite (Outlook, Excel and Word) and proficiency using a computer for various tasks;

Characteristics:

• Customer / People-centric and a natural problem solver, with attention for detail;
• A passionate high achiever
• Prepared to challenge the status quo/boundaries and ability to drive constructive change.
• Prepared to take ownership of problems and follow through on their resolution;
• Is flexible and adaptable, anticipating and reporting problems, and happy to follow instruction to modify plans if required;
• Prepared to deliver quality while managing time and resources;
• Prepared to persevere and maintain energy and enthusiasm despite setbacks and continues to work towards set goals
• Trustworthy and reliable.

What is in it for you?

• Career development encouraged.
• Job security
• Onsite parking
• Mandatory training provided.
• Family and pet friendly focus
• Permanent employment

How to apply

1. Ensure your CV and all details are clear and up to date (including contact number / email)
2. All applicants must be a NZ citizen, resident, or hold a current valid NZ work visa.  We will not be reviewing CVs that do not meet these criteria.
3. Please apply for this job by clicking ‘apply now’.  Remember to include a copy of your CV.
4. Ensure you have people we can contact to provide references should you application be successful.