Production Planner

Company Description

AFFCO is a high-performing and dynamic leader within the New Zealand Meat Industry. Established in 1904, AFFCO holds 120 years of expertise in supplying top-quality meat products to the world.

Based in Waikato, the agricultural heart of New Zealand, with over 4,000 employees, our operation has offices in the USA, UK and Hong Kong and comprises 11 processing sites situated across New Zealand, distributing to over 80 countries.

AFFCO sources top-quality, sustainable, grass-fed, New Zealand Beef and Lamb products from our network of farmer suppliers. We are 100% New Zealand-owned and operated and a proud member of the Talley’s Group; New Zealand’s leading exporter of meat, dairy, seafood, and vegetable products.

Job Description

AFFCO Manawatu is seeking an experienced and motivated Production Planner to join our Operations team. This is a key role within the plant, responsible for planning, coordinating, and optimising production across all departments to ensure customer orders are delivered on time, to specification, and at maximum profitability.

As Production Planner, you will play a critical part in ensuring smooth day-to-day plant operations. You will work closely with Plant Management and Supervisors to meet customer requirements and orders, while maintaining strict compliance with food safety, quality, and market access requirements.

Key Responsibilities:

• Plan and coordinate production across all plant departments
• Set up, maintain, and amend customer specifications in line with company, regulatory, and market requirements
• Allocate customer orders to shifts and generate accurate cutting instructions
• Monitor production performance, yields, and profitability to maximise return per carcass
• Liaise daily with Marketing, Plant Management, and Supervisors regarding livestock and processing requirements
• Analyse production processes and identify opportunities for continuous improvement
• Cost new products and carry out yield trials prior to production
• Ensure compliance with OMARs, Meat Industry Hygiene Standards, Aus-Meat requirements, and internal quality systems
• Prepare and distribute accurate daily production reports
• Investigate customer claims and complaints as required
• Support health and safety compliance and safe work practices across the plant

Qualifications

You will bring strong planning, analytical, and communication skills, along with a sound understanding of meat processing operations.

Ideally, you will have:

• Experience in production planning within a meat processing or food manufacturing environment
• Solid knowledge of customer specifications, quality systems, and regulatory requirements
• Strong attention to detail and ability to manage multiple priorities
• Effective stakeholder engagement skills and the confidence to work across operational and corporate teams
• A continuous improvement mindset with a focus on productivity and cost optimisation
• A strong commitment to health and safety

Additional information

All applicants must have the right to work in New Zealand 

To ensure a safe workplace, AFFCO conducts pre-employment medical checks and drug screening. Applicants must be eligible to work in New Zealand.

If you’re interested in joining a fast paced, challenging but enjoyable workplace, where you get to meet great people and work alongside your mates then please apply online through this ad. 

Apply now

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