ABOUT THE ROLE - Te tūranga mahi

This is Fixed Term Position, working Monday - Friday from 8:30am to 5:00pm, 40 hours per week.

Come and join us in our state-of-the-art laboratory based at Mangere! We have a fantastic new opportunity for the Team Leader – Sample Reception & Purchasing to be part of our fun-loving and dynamic team Quality and Food Safety team. Your key responsibility in the role is to promote Quality and Food Safety within Danone manufacturing by coordinating sampling, purchasing, reporting, and resources to deliver accurate and timely results.

Reporting to the QFS Plant Laboratory Manager you will be part of the Lab Sampling & Reception Team. The role drives continuous improvement, managing people performance and capability, overseeing laboratory purchasing and reporting processes

You will:

• Lead and coordinate sampling, reception, purchasing, and reporting activities to meet laboratory KPIs and turnaround times.
• Plan and manage team resources, working hours, and training to ensure effective delivery and compliance.
• Ensure laboratory operations comply with ISO 17025, Quality, Food Safety, and Danone requirements, including traceability and documentation.
• Manage purchasing processes, supplier engagement, stock levels, and purchase order accuracy within budget.
• Monitor reporting status, escalate risks or delays, and provide regular performance updates to the Laboratory Manager.
• Drive continuous improvement through root cause analysis, corrective actions, and cross‑functional collaboration.
• Lead team meetings, support projects, and share improvements and learnings across the wider laboratory community.

ABOUT YOU - Mō Koe

You will have a tertiary qualification in Chemistry, Microbiology/Science or equivalent. You enjoy working in a laboratory environment and have a continuous improvement mindset and great initiative when it comes to supporting the team.

To be successful in this role, you will have:

• Sound understanding of basic chemistry or microbiology principles.
• Understanding of testing requirements in a dairy manufacturing environment.
• Experience as Key Technical Personnel.
• Advanced knowledge of GLP and GMP.
• Advanced computer skills (Microsoft Office) with ability to learn new systems.
• Ability to develop and evaluate performance metrics, with strong knowledge of ISO 17025 responsibilities.
• Proven technical competency in laboratory procedures, equipment, and chemical handling.
• Advanced knowledge of Quality Management Systems and safe work practices.
• Computer literacy and Intermediate level in MS Excel
• Strong ownership of your work and good communication skills
• The agility and resilience to succeed in a pressured and fast-paced environment

ABOUT US - Mō Mātou

Do things your way. The way you work, the way you develop, the way you progress, it’s all up to you. Working here you’ll need to enjoy a fast-pace, complexity and it can get a little challenging. But it’s packed with opportunities. You’ll work with some of the best-known brands in the world, such as YoPro, Activia, Aptamil and Karicare, and we absolutely guarantee that you can just be yourself.

Always looking to bring the outside in to continuously improve our ways of working as well as our Danoner’s day to day experience, we have been awarded Winner of the 2020 Employer of Choice awards through the NZ HRD Awards and we are proud of our Certification as a Great Place to Work company 2025.

Be innovative and entrepreneurial and the impact you could make might just amaze you. Join our movement for a healthier world. One Planet One Health BY YOU. Danone is an equal opportunities employer. We encourage all qualified applicants to apply!

WE OFFER - Tatau

We truly value our Danoners and strive to make their experience exceptional by creating a positive and fulfilling environment for everyone. Our unique benefits are designed to enhance lives and provide genuine value.

Our Benefits - Nga Painga

• Medical insurance paid for by the company for you and discounts for your whānau
• Free life insurance
• Flu vaccination, free annual medical checks, and free onsite car parking,
• Discount in our products and at a range of retailers.
• Gym and cafe discounts.
• Annual Bonus Scheme
• Fresh fruit every day.
• 4% Kiwisaver contribution and so much more!
• 26 weeks of gender-neutral paid parental leave
• Employee Share Subscription Plan after 12 months of service
• Performance-related incentives and annual reviews

We believe everyone has talent, something which comes natural to you. Your uniqueness is something which brings both excellence as well as energizes you.

Proving yourself in this role could lead to future opportunities within Danone both locally and abroad. We support our employees to take ownership of developing their career within Danone and encourage moves across (as well as within) our varying functions and businesses. We are passionate about developing and growing our team of leaders, and that could soon include you!

At Danone, we aim to inspire healthier and more sustainable eating and drinking practices, in line with our Vision - Danone, One Planet. One Health. We operate across four business lines: Essential Dairy and Plant-Based Products, Waters, Early Life Nutrition, and Medical Nutrition. Our headquarters are in France, we have offices in 55 countries across the globe, and our products are sold in over 120 markets.

Danone ANZ focuses on dairy and specialized nutrition products for infants and adults and is proud to be awarded the Great Place to Work accreditation winner for ANZ in 2022, 2023, 2024 & 2025 – a globally recognised program where we feature as one of Australia’s top places to work.

Visit our website WE ARE DANONE to find out more about us.

How to Apply

If this opportunity resonates with you and you’re eager to shape and define this role, then go ahead and seize the moment.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI)

We proudly affirm that we are an Equal Employment Opportunity employer, and our ambition is to foster an INCLUSIVE & DIVERSE workplace where all Danoners can bring their uniqueness to contribute to business results. Our commitment to DEI ensures that all qualified individuals receive fair consideration for employment without regard to race, colour, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, and disability at our company.

No Recruitment Agencies please.