Process Lead

About the role

We have an exciting opportunity for a technically strong Process Lead to join our team in our Dryer. This role is critical in driving stable and efficient evaporator, dryer, and packing operations while building capability across our teams.

This is a great opportunity for someone who enjoys being close to the plant, diving deep into dairy processes, influencing outcomes through technical expertise, and leading change.

You’ll sit at the intersection of operations, quality and continuous improvement, providing hands-on technical leadership, solving complex processing challenges, and enabling teams to deliver consistent, high-quality results

Key Responsibilities Of This Role Include..

• Providing technical leadership to ensure stable and efficient plant operations
• Driving process stability, optimisation and control across the plant
• Leading troubleshooting and structured problem solving (RCA, UPS)
• Coaching and developing operational teams to build technical capability
• Leading and embedding change initiatives to lift process reliability, quality, and compliance standards
• Ensuring robust operational standards, documentation and regulatory compliance
• Driving operational performance across safety, quality, reliability, cost and engagement
• Leading continuous improvement initiatives and RTT processes (DDS, CL, CIL, Defect Handling)
• Partnering cross-functionally to support new processes and organisational growth

About You

You’re a highly technical, analytical and proactive problem solver who thrives in a fast-paced manufacturing environment. You enjoy getting into the detail, understanding process interactions, solving complex operational challenges, and working alongside teams to improve performance.

You may bring:

• Experience in manufacturing (ideally 5+ years), preferably within dairy or food production across quality, projects or operations
• Strong technical capability with deep understanding of dairy processing and manufacturing systems
• Experience with dryer processing and confidence understanding, troubleshooting and tuning dryer performance
• Experience working within regulated environments (e.g. RMP or similar)
• Strong problem-solving capability with structured methodologies (e.g. RCA)
• The ability to manage competing priorities and deliver under pressure
• Excellent communication and relationship-building skills
• Sound organisational skills and commercial awareness
• A qualification in engineering, food technology or a related discipline is desirable.

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.