Production Operator / Senior Production Operator
Confirmed on the employer's own hiring board on Oct 22, 2026. First seen by Alion on Oct 16, 2026. Abbott scores A on the Alion truth index.
JOB DESCRIPTION:
Abbott is a global healthcare leader, creating breakthrough science to improve people’s health. We’re always looking towards the future, anticipating changes in medical science and technology.
Our nutrition business develops science-based nutrition products for people of all ages, from helping babies and children grow, to keeping adult bodies strong and active. Millions of people around the world count on our leading brands - including Similac®, PediaSure®, Pedialyte®, Ensure® and Glucerna® - to help get the nutrients they need to live their healthiest life.
Working at Abbott
At Abbott, you can do work that matters, grow, and learn, care for yourself and family, be your true self and live a full life. You will have access to:
- Career development with an international company where you can grow the career you dream of.
- Benefits that support you and your family to stay healthy, financially secure, and supported throughout life's journey - including comprehensive medical insurance coverage, wellbeing support, and competitive rewards that recognize your contributions.
- A company recognized as a great place to work in dozens of countries around the world and named one of the most admired companies in the world by Fortune.
The Opportunity
We're hiring for Production Operators & Senior Production Operators across our sites! Multiple vacancies available.
As the Production Operator, you will take responsibility for operating the production process to achieve production, quality, and health and safety outcomes. This role is accountable for production process requirements. It is also accountable for problem-solving, cleaning and inspections specific to the plant while running the process.
What You’ll Do
- Support the achievement of plant operational targets.
- Carry out basic problem-solving within plant operations.
- Follow standard procedures and work instructions, with support from senior staff as required.
- Identify and respond to basic process variations as required.
- Minimize process failures through adherence to standard practices and timely action.
- Adjust routine tasks as needed based on changing work requirements.
- Use quality, production, maintenance, and health and safety systems as required.
- Communicate clearly with team members, Shift Team Leaders, and other staff.
- Attend regular departmental meetings with relevant manager/supervisor to build in continuous feedback mechanisms.
- Meet the requirements of ISO by complying with all relevant Quality policies and procedures to ensure the Quality objectives of the business are met.
- Comply with all relevant company Occupational Health, Safety and Environmental policies, procedures, and work practices with the intent of preventing or minimizing accidental exposures to self, colleagues and/or the environment.
- Ensure any PPE provided by Abbott is worn.
- Report any accidents or incidents within 24 hours through allocated system and notify your manager.
As a Senior Production Operator, the purpose of this role is to lead and run the process or processes to achieve production, quality, and health and safety outcomes. This role is accountable for efficiently meeting production output requirements across multiple processes through advanced process knowledge. This role is also accountable for detailed plant and process problem solving, plant cleaning, plant walks, inspection and running the process.
What You'll Do
- Lead and support the team to achieve engagement and performance targets.
- Develop team capability through coaching and guidance.
- Deliver plant operational targets across multiple processes.
- Maximise outputs by effectively running and monitoring processes.
- Identify and resolve process issues through problem solving.
- Adapt processes in response to changing work conditions.
- Make effective decisions based on experience and available information.
- Use and maintain production, quality, maintenance, and health and safety systems, including accurate record keeping.
- Attend regular departmental meetings with relevant manager/supervisor to build in continuous feedback mechanisms.
- Meet the requirements of ISO by complying with all relevant Quality policies and procedures to ensure the Quality objectives of the business are met.
- Comply with all relevant company Occupational Health, Safety and Environmental policies, procedures, and work practices with the intent of preventing or minimizing accidental exposures to self, colleagues and/or the environment.
Requirements
- Relevant qualification in food or dairy processing, e.g., NZ Diploma in Dairy Processing, is preferred.
- Minimum 3 - 5 years in FMCG (Food/Dairy) manufacturing experience. Experience in spray drying preferable.
- Problem solving and fault-finding experience would be an advantage.
- Prior experience supervising or mentoring team of Production Operators desirable for Senior Production Operator roles.
- Working under a food safety risk management program is preferred for Senior Production Operator roles.
Location:
This position is based in Pokeno, Waikato.
Follow your career aspirations to Abbott for diverse opportunities with a company that can help you build your future and live your best life. Abbott is an Equal Opportunity Employer, committed to employee diversity.
Connect with us at www.abbott.com, on Facebook at www.facebook.com/Abbott and on Twitter @AbbottNews and @AbbottGlobal.
The base pay for this position is
N/A/hourIn specific locations, the pay range may vary from the range posted.