Internal Audit Specialist

About the role

We are looking for two experienced Internal Audit Specialists to join our Quality team based at Dunsandel. You’ll be responsible for delivering the internal audit programme across manufacturing, warehousing, supply chain and quality functions, ensuring compliance with global customer and regulatory requirements.

Working closely with teams across the business, you will play a key role in driving audit readiness, identifying improvement opportunities, supporting compliance outcomes, and strengthening quality systems across site.

Key Responsibilities Of This Role Include..

• Plan, coordinate, and execute the annual internal audit programme across site functions
• Conduct risk-based, routine, and ad hoc audits to assess compliance with internal and external standards
• Support compliance across customer, regulatory, and certification audits including FSSC, Halal, Kosher, and export market requirements
• Perform desktop reviews, audit preparation activities, and stakeholder engagement prior to audits
• Identify non-conformances, emerging risks, and improvement opportunities relating to food safety and quality systems
• Prepare clear and concise audit reports and communicate findings to stakeholders and leadership teams
• Facilitate and track corrective and preventative actions (CAPAs) through to completion
• Monitor and trend audit outcomes to support continuous improvement initiatives
• Partner with teams across manufacturing, supply chain, technical, laboratory, maintenance, and quality functions
• Provide coaching and guidance on GMP, HACCP, compliance expectations, and audit readiness
• Maintain independence, integrity, and objectivity in all auditing activities

About You

You are an experienced auditor or quality professional from a dairy or food manufacturing environment with strong knowledge of food safety, HACCP and compliance systems.

Highly organised and an excellent communicator, you will confidently manage competing priorities while building strong relationships across all levels of the business. You will bring a practical, risk-based approach and enjoy working collaboratively to drive continuous improvement and compliance outcomes.

The ideal candidate will have the following skills and attributes:

• 4+ years’ experience within dairy or food manufacturing
• Previous internal auditing experience in a regulated environment
• Relevant tertiary qualification in Food Technology, Science, Engineering, or similar preferred
• Strong knowledge of food safety, HACCP, and quality systems
• Lead auditor training or equivalent practical experience preferred
• Excellent stakeholder engagement, communication, and report writing skills
• Highly organised with the ability to manage multiple priorities
• Exposure to export or international regulatory standards advantageous

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.

What we offer

• Health insurance cover & partnered with top brands for great benefits and discounts
• Excellent parental leave with our Matua policy
• B Corp TM certified
• Social Club membership opportunities

What's next? Apply now!

Include your most recent CV and cover letter summarising your abilities and what you can bring to Synlait. We wish you the best of luck in your application. We encourage you to apply early as we will be reviewing applications regularly and may close the advertisement early.

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.