Process Engineers

Process Engineers – From Graduates to Senior Experts

Shape the Future of Dairy Manufacturing. Optimise. Innovate. Make an Impact.

At Synlait, we're Doing Milk Differently For A Healthier World. Behind every world-class nutritional product is a team of Process Engineers who challenge the status quo, solve complex manufacturing problems, and continuously improve how we operate.

We're growing our Process Engineering team and are looking for talented engineers at every stage of their career. From recent graduates ready to get hands-on in manufacturing, through to experienced Process Engineers and Senior Process Engineers leading technical excellence.

Based at our state-of-the-art Dunsandel site, you'll swap the city traffic for an easy motorway commute, enjoy free onsite parking, and work alongside some of New Zealand's most experienced dairy processing specialists.

This isn't engineering from behind a desk. You'll be out in the plant, working alongside operators, production leaders, quality specialists and project teams to optimise manufacturing, improve performance and solve real-world engineering challenges.

Graduate Process Engineer – Your Engineering Career Starts Here

Kickstart your engineering career where you'll gain hands-on experience across our manufacturing plants, learning from experienced Process Engineers while building your technical knowledge of world-class processing equipment and manufacturing systems.

This isn't a graduate programme where you'll spend months observing. From day one you'll be involved in solving problems, analysing performance, supporting production and contributing to continuous improvement projects.

What You'll Do

• Learn how our evaporation, wet blending, pasteurisation, spray drying, powder handling and packing processes operate
• Support production teams with day-to-day process monitoring and optimisation
• Collect and analyse operational data to identify improvement opportunities
• Participate in root cause investigations and continuous improvement initiatives
• Attend project meetings and gain exposure to Project Management and New Product Development
• Develop your technical knowledge while building strong relationships across Production, Quality and Engineering
• Shadow experienced Process Engineers across multiple manufacturing areas

Process Engineer – Build Your Technical Expertise

As a Process Engineer you'll work across our manufacturing plants improving processes, solving operational issues and delivering engineering improvements that have a real impact on production.

No two days are the same. One day you might be analysing dryer performance, the next supporting a product changeover, investigating a quality issue or working with project teams on a new manufacturing initiative.

What You'll Do

• Provide day-to-day engineering support to production teams across multiple manufacturing areas
• Optimise process parameters to improve yield, efficiency and product quality
• Troubleshoot process, quality and equipment performance issues
• Use operational data to identify trends and continuous improvement opportunities
• Support start-ups, shutdowns, product changeovers and commissioning activities
• Participate in root cause investigations and implement process improvements
• Work closely with Production, Quality, Maintenance and NPD teams to deliver practical engineering solutions
• Deliver smaller engineering improvement projects while supporting larger initiatives

Senior Process Engineer – Drive Technical Excellence

As a Senior Process Engineer, you'll be the technical expert helping shape the future of our manufacturing operations. You'll lead complex optimisation initiatives, support major capital and NPD projects, solve challenging production issues and mentor the next generation of engineers.

What You'll Do

• Lead optimisation across wet blending, evaporation, homogenisation, spray drying, dry blending, powder handling and packing operations
• Improve plant reliability, throughput, yield and product quality
• Lead complex troubleshooting and root cause investigations
• Drive Lean Manufacturing and continuous improvement initiatives
• Provide technical leadership into capital projects and New Product Development
• Use data analytics and SPC to improve plant capability
• Advantageous to have relevant microbiological background for dairy manufacturing
• Coach and mentor Graduate and Process Engineers
• Champion food safety, process integrity and operational excellence

About You

Whether you're a Graduate, Process Engineer or Senior Process Engineer, you'll have a passion for manufacturing, continuous improvement and solving technical challenges.

You'll bring

• A qualification in Chemical, Process, Food or Mechanical Engineering (or equivalent industry experience)
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
• A collaborative approach and the ability to build strong relationships across operational teams
• A proactive, hands-on mindset with a genuine desire to learn and continuously improve

Experience will vary depending on the role

• Graduate Process Engineer: Recent graduate or early career engineer eager to learn
• Process Engineer: Around 3–5 years' experience in food, dairy, FMCG, pharmaceutical or similar manufacturing
• Senior Process Engineer: 5-7 + years' experience with proven technical expertise, process optimisation and leadership within complex manufacturing environments

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.