Engineering Manager - New Zealand

Overview

Sealord Group Ltd, a leading seafood company in the Southern Hemisphere with over 60 years of expertise in fishing, farming, processing, and marketing, is seeking an experienced Engineering Manager for their Nelson processing site in New Zealand. Established in 1961 and jointly owned by the Māori through Moana New Zealand and the global seafood company Nippon Suisan Kaisha, Ltd (Nissui), Sealord operates extensive deep-water fishing activities in New Zealand and Australia and maintains worldwide partnerships.

Role Summary

Reporting directly to the General Manager of Operations, the Engineering Manager will oversee all shore-based engineering and maintenance operations at the Vickerman Street facility. This leadership role ensures safe, compliant, efficient, and reliable engineering practices that are vital to supporting optimal production performance.

Key Responsibilities

• Direct all land-based engineering and maintenance operations to guarantee safety, reliability, and regulatory compliance.
• Promote health and safety practices including critical risk management, safe work behaviors, and managing contractor activities.
• Plan and execute preventative maintenance programs to maximise operational uptime and efficient processing.
• Oversee budgets, repair and maintenance expenses, capital expenditures, asset management, parts stocking, and inventory controls.
• Provide leadership to the engineering team to enhance skills, engagement, and foster a strong culture founded on Sealord’s values.
• Manage engineering projects, capital maintenance initiatives, changes in processes, as well as supplier and tendering workflows.
• Ensure all engineering activities comply with food safety, quality, environmental standards, and regulatory obligations.
• Promote a culture of innovation and continuous improvement in systems, technology, processes, and personnel development.

Candidate Profile

The ideal candidate will be a hands-on engineering leader with a strong focus on safety and a proven track record in maintenance management, budgeting, planning, and leading teams in a manufacturing or processing environment. Building effective relationships with operational teams, contractors, suppliers, and supporting departments will be key to success.

Required Qualifications and Experience

• Mechanical or electrical trade certification or tertiary qualification in engineering.
• Minimum of six years’ experience in manufacturing maintenance, preferably within food processing sectors.
• At least three years experience leading and managing teams.
• Proficient in planning, reporting, budgeting, job scheduling, and financial management.
• Experience with Computerized Maintenance Management Systems (CMMS) or similar preventative maintenance software.
• Familiarity with compliance standards such as Building Warrant of Fitness (BWOF) and Hazardous Substances and New Organisms Act (HSNO).
• Capability to effectively manage contractors, suppliers, maintenance projects, and improvement programs.
• Strong communication and influencing skills across all organisational levels.

Why Work at Sealord?

This role offers the chance to lead a vital engineering function within a company proud of its New Zealand heritage and commitment to sustainable seafood production. You will engage with diverse teams across operations, quality assurance, health and safety, compliance, and finance while contributing to the success of a prominent processing site in Nelson.

Additional Information

• A satisfactory pre-employment drug screening and medical assessment are mandatory.
• Applicants must be legally entitled to live and work in New Zealand.