Verified Job
Manual Labor
Junior Operator Protein Plant
Manual Labor
#746013
Remote / WFH
Westland Milk Products
Job Description
A bit about your role
As the Junior Operator, you will play an important role in supporting the manufacture of high-quality protein products within our Protein team in Hokitika. Working in a highly automated processing environment, you will assist Plant Operators and production teams with the operation of plant and equipment, product sampling, maintaining accurate production records, and ensuring the highest standards of hygiene, quality and food safety are achieved every day. You will also receive on-the-job training to build your technical expertise and develop your career within our manufacturing operations.
Reporting directly to the Supervisors and ultimately the Production Manager, you will work closely with Operations, Quality, Technical Services, Laboratory and Maintenance teams to support the efficient production of premium dairy ingredients for customers around the world.
A bit about you
You are someone who enjoys working in a hands-on manufacturing environment and has a genuine interest in learning how automated processing plants operate. You may already have some experience working in production, processing, manufacturing or a similar operational environment, and you are keen to build your technical skills while contributing to a high-performing team.
You have proven attention to detail, strong communication skills and a commitment to quality, food safety and health and safety practices. You learn quickly, enjoy solving problems, work well with others and take pride in delivering work to a high standard. Most importantly, you are motivated to continue learning, developing new skills and building a long-term career in manufacturing.
A bit about the organisation
Westland Milk Products is a well-known New Zealand end-to-end dairy manufacturer based in the beautiful South Island with offices and production facilities based in both Christchurch and Hokitika. Our Protein business produces premium dairy protein ingredients that are supplied to customers globally. With a strong focus on quality, innovation and continuous improvement, our people play a vital role in delivering world-class products from New Zealand to the world.
Owned by the Global Top 5 dairy company Yili Group, Westland Milk Products and its related companies in New Zealand, Oceania Dairy (Glenavy), Pure Nutrition (Rolleston), Canary Foods (Hamilton) and EasiYo (Auckland) form a group that we refer to as the Yili Oceania group. The combined business produces over 170,000mt of finished goods which are then exported to over 40 countries, driving annual revenue well in excess of $1.3B – and growing.
Where to from here?
We encourage you to apply even if you feel that you do not meet all of the above qualifications. No one ever meets 100% of the requirements. We look forward to your application!
Please submit your application through our careers page at westlandcareers.co.nz. For further details, please refer to the accompanying position description available on the site.
Applications close on 28th July. Please note that this advertisement may close earlier than the listed closing date if a suitable candidate is identified. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, and interviews may be conducted earlier than the closing date.
Applicants must have valid work rights in New Zealand to be considered.
Applications will be reviewed as they are received, and we may close the role early if a suitable candidate is found. We encourage early applications.
Job Details
Reference #
34872
Posted on
14 Jul 2026
Closes on
28 Jul 2026 23:00
Location(s)
Hokitika
Expertise
Plant Operations
Job level(s)
Entry
Work type(s)
Permanent
As the Junior Operator, you will play an important role in supporting the manufacture of high-quality protein products within our Protein team in Hokitika. Working in a highly automated processing environment, you will assist Plant Operators and production teams with the operation of plant and equipment, product sampling, maintaining accurate production records, and ensuring the highest standards of hygiene, quality and food safety are achieved every day. You will also receive on-the-job training to build your technical expertise and develop your career within our manufacturing operations.
Reporting directly to the Supervisors and ultimately the Production Manager, you will work closely with Operations, Quality, Technical Services, Laboratory and Maintenance teams to support the efficient production of premium dairy ingredients for customers around the world.
A bit about you
You are someone who enjoys working in a hands-on manufacturing environment and has a genuine interest in learning how automated processing plants operate. You may already have some experience working in production, processing, manufacturing or a similar operational environment, and you are keen to build your technical skills while contributing to a high-performing team.
You have proven attention to detail, strong communication skills and a commitment to quality, food safety and health and safety practices. You learn quickly, enjoy solving problems, work well with others and take pride in delivering work to a high standard. Most importantly, you are motivated to continue learning, developing new skills and building a long-term career in manufacturing.
A bit about the organisation
Westland Milk Products is a well-known New Zealand end-to-end dairy manufacturer based in the beautiful South Island with offices and production facilities based in both Christchurch and Hokitika. Our Protein business produces premium dairy protein ingredients that are supplied to customers globally. With a strong focus on quality, innovation and continuous improvement, our people play a vital role in delivering world-class products from New Zealand to the world.
Owned by the Global Top 5 dairy company Yili Group, Westland Milk Products and its related companies in New Zealand, Oceania Dairy (Glenavy), Pure Nutrition (Rolleston), Canary Foods (Hamilton) and EasiYo (Auckland) form a group that we refer to as the Yili Oceania group. The combined business produces over 170,000mt of finished goods which are then exported to over 40 countries, driving annual revenue well in excess of $1.3B – and growing.
Where to from here?
We encourage you to apply even if you feel that you do not meet all of the above qualifications. No one ever meets 100% of the requirements. We look forward to your application!
Please submit your application through our careers page at westlandcareers.co.nz. For further details, please refer to the accompanying position description available on the site.
Applications close on 28th July. Please note that this advertisement may close earlier than the listed closing date if a suitable candidate is identified. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, and interviews may be conducted earlier than the closing date.
Applicants must have valid work rights in New Zealand to be considered.
Applications will be reviewed as they are received, and we may close the role early if a suitable candidate is found. We encourage early applications.
Job Details
Reference #
34872
Posted on
14 Jul 2026
Closes on
28 Jul 2026 23:00
Location(s)
Hokitika
Expertise
Plant Operations
Job level(s)
Entry
Work type(s)
Permanent
