Process Operator

Start your career with Synlait 

Whether you’re a recent graduate in engineering, food technology, science or supply chain, or a school leaver keen to start a career in manufacturing, Synlait offers the opportunity to develop your skills and gain hands-on experience.

We’re looking for motivated, curious people to join our Consumer team at our Dunsandel site, with multiple Process Technician opportunities across our Blending & Canning, UHT Plant and Dairy Liquid Processing (DLP) operations.

You don’t need to have years of processing experience. We’re interested in people who are keen to learn, enjoy solving problems and want to understand how things work.

Our Consumer Manufacturing Teams

These roles are a great opportunity to learn how dairy products are manufactured at scale, develop your technical skills and gain experience in a complex, fast-paced production environment. 

Join one of our Consumer teams and gain hands-on experience across different areas of dairy manufacturing:

• Blending and Canning: Blending ingredients, filling and packaging products into cans using automated machinery.
• UHT Plant (Ultra-High Temperature): Using automated machinery to heat liquid dairy products to support product safety and shelf stability.
• Dairy Liquid Processing (DLP): Preparing, treating and transferring liquid dairy products through specialised processing equipment.

What you’ll do

You’ll help keep production running safely and efficiently while meeting quality standards. These roles operate on either a rotating 6 days on, 3 days off roster or a 4 days on, 4 days off roster.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Operating and monitoring production equipment and processing systems.
• Following production schedules, procedures and product specifications.
• Completing process checks, cleaning checks and quality checks.
• Identifying issues and supporting troubleshooting and problem-solving.
• Following food safety, hygiene, quality and health and safety standards.
• Working with production and technical teams to improve processes and efficiency.
• Strong mechanical aptitude, practical skills or an interest in automated machinery and processes.
• A curious, hands-on approach with good problem-solving skills.
• Attention to detail and a commitment to quality, safety and following procedures.
• Good communication skills and the ability to work as part of a team.
• A willingness to learn, develop your skills and work rotating shifts.
• Comfortable working on your feet for extended periods, performing repetitive tasks and lifting up to 25kg in a hands-on production environment.

What you’ll bring

You might be a recent graduate or school leaver, have a trades background, or be ready to take the next step in your manufacturing career. We’re interested in the skills, experience and potential you can bring.

We’ll be holding a group assessment centre in the coming weeks, giving shortlisted candidates the opportunity to demonstrate their skills, learn more about the roles and meet our team. Further details, including dates, will be provided to shortlisted applicants. Successful candidates will start in either December or January.

What's next? Apply now!

Include your most recent CV and cover letter summarising your abilities and what you can bring to Synlait. We encourage you to apply early as we will be reviewing applications regularly and may close the advertisement early.  If you don’t progress with us for this role, we will keep your details on file and consider you for future opportunities that match your skills and experience. 

What we offer:

• Health & wellbeing – Wellbeing One health insurance plus access to exclusive partner discounts
• Career growth – A great starting opportunity with ongoing training and development opportunities.
• Work-life balance – Rotating shift patterns offering blocks of days off to help you balance work and life outside of work.
• Easy commute – Free bus service to and from Rolleston
• Sustainable values – We’re proud to be B Corp™ certified
• Community & connection – Join our active Social Club

About us – The Synlait Spirit 

Synlait is more than a global leader in milk nutrition – we're a purpose-led team that’s Doing Milk Differently For A Healthier World. Our Synlait Spirit guides everything we do, from how we show up each day to the impact we create together. You’ll be joining an authentic, down-to-earth team that lives the three values that underpin the Synlait Spirit. 

Be The Difference means we understand before we act – that means asking why, supporting each other to think differently, stay curious, and continuously look for smarter ways to deliver value. Whether it’s in the paddock, the plant or the boardroom, we’re driven by impact and inspired to make a meaningful difference every day. 

We Move as One by working together with respect, trust and a shared commitment to doing what’s right. We collaborate across teams to deliver innovative solutions and create opportunity for those around us. 

We feed the world’s most vulnerable, including newborn babies, so we have to be Right on the Mark. That means we take accountability seriously, act with courage and focus our energy on what matters most. We combine expert farming and state of the art processing to deliver high quality nutritional products to all over the world. 

At Synlait you’ll be challenged and supported to grow. We know everyone brings something unique to the table so we’re an inclusive workplace, where diverse perspectives fuel innovation and success. 

Together we will continue to create a workplace where everyone can thrive and contribute their best.

Applicants outside of New Zealand will only be considered if you have the legal right to live and work in New Zealand.  To ensure your application is received and considered, please apply directly through our careers website. We are unable to accept applications or CVs submitted by email.

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