Cheese Plant - Quality Controller

About the Company

Open Country Dairy is New Zealand's largest independent dairy manufacturer, producing a wide range of dairy ingredients and products for global markets. Since 2004, we have built a reputation for quality, operational excellence, and innovation, backed by modern manufacturing facilities and a strong commitment to our people. 

We are looking for a practical and quality-focused Cheese Plant Quality Controller to join our Waharoa team. Reporting to the Cheese and Butter Plant Manager, you will help coordinate quality control across Liquids processing, Cheese & Butter manufacturing ensuring our products and processes meet the required quality, safety, hygiene and environmental standards.

This is a permanent full-time position working 12.25-hour shifts on a rotating roster of two days on, two nights on, followed by four days off.

What you will be doing

• Conduct pre-start / in-process inspections and sampling across various processing plants
• Monitor quality and critical control points, including milk reception checks.
• Manage the collection and timely despatch of product samples to external laboratories
• Support plant hygiene, GMP and compliance with standard operating procedures.
• Participate in plant audits and surveillance activities
• Gather quality data, prepare reports and escalate out-of-specification results.
• NCEA Level 3, School Certificate, Sixth Form Certificate, or an equivalent secondary or relevant vocational qualification.
• Core Dairy Level 3 Certificate unit standards.
• Experience with process or systems administration and working with suppliers.
• Strong computer literacy and clear written and verbal communication skills.
• A high standard of personal hygiene, presentation and attention to detail.
• Good time management and the confidence to uphold quality and hygiene standards in a production environment.
• A strong commitment to health and safety and the physical fitness required for the role.
• Experience in the dairy industry or food manufacturing.
• A Diploma in Cheese Technology or an equivalent qualification.
• Knowledge of dairy processing, aseptic sampling, auditing or HACCP.

What you will bring

It would be an advantage if you have

If you are safety-conscious, comfortable working across a busy manufacturing environment and committed to maintaining high-quality standards, we would like to hear from you.

Apply now with your CV and a brief cover letter outlining your relevant experience.

Position description Apply now

Share