Department Team Leader Cleaning & Sanitation

Te Tūranga | About the Role

As a Department Team Leader, you'll be responsible for leading and developing a team while ensuring production support activities are completed safely, efficiently, and to the highest standards. You will provide leadership, coaching, and direction to team members while fostering a culture of accountability, teamwork, and continuous improvement. This role is directly reporting into the Processing Manager. 

Shift pattern: Usually, 45 hours per week.

Evening shifts varying between 2:00pm and 11:00pm or 11:00pm and 5:00am, depending on the season.

Key responsibilities include:

• Leading, coaching, and developing team members to achieve departmental objectives.
• Driving compliance with food safety, hygiene, quality, and sanitation standards.
• Building and maintaining a strong health and safety culture.
• Monitoring team performance and providing regular feedback and development.
• Coordinating daily operational requirements and communicating clear expectations.
• Supporting continuous improvement initiatives through the Streamline programme.
• Ensuring compliance with customer, regulatory, MPI, and company requirements.
• Working collaboratively with production, engineering, quality assurance, and site leadership teams.
• Managing departmental performance, reporting, and operational KPIs.
• Supporting sustainability and waste reduction initiatives across the department.

Ōu Pūkenga | About You

We're looking for an experienced people leader who can motivate teams, uphold high standards, and deliver results in a dynamic operational environment.

You'll bring:

• Previous leadership or supervisory experience within manufacturing, processing, sanitation, hygiene, or a related operational environment.
• Strong communication, coaching, and people leadership skills.
• A commitment to health, safety, food safety, and quality.
• Excellent problem-solving and decision-making capability.
• The ability to build high-performing teams and foster a positive team culture.
• Strong attention to detail and compliance focus.
• Confidence engaging with auditors, regulatory bodies, and key stakeholders.
• The ability to manage competing priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Intermediate technology and reporting skills.

Te Ahurea | Why Silver Fern Farms?

At Silver Fern Farms we're all about creating goodness from the farms the world needs.

Join a business that values its people, invests in leadership development, and provides opportunities to grow your career. You'll work alongside dedicated teams committed to delivering safe, high-quality products while making a meaningful contribution to New Zealand's food industry.

We offer:

• Ongoing leadership development opportunities.
• A supportive team environment.
• Competitive remuneration.
• Employee benefits and wellbeing initiatives.
• Career growth within one of New Zealand's leading food companies.

Tono Mai | Apply Now

If you're a motivated leader with a passion for people, safety, quality, and operational excellence, we'd love to hear from you.

Apply now via the Silver Fern Farms Careers Website.

Applications will be reviewed as they are received.

Silver Fern Farms is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace where everyone can thrive. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and experiences.