OUR WAY OF WORKING - Tā Mātou Ara Mahi

Join us at Danone, where your work touches lives and contributes to a healthier world. As a global leader with a unique health-focused portfolio in food and beverages, we are driven by a mission to bring health through food to as many people as possible. Embedded in our culture is a profound sense of purpose and a commitment to innovation, sustainability, and community. At Danone, we believe in the power of our people, and we are dedicated to creating an environment where our core values of humanism, openness, enthusiasm, and proximity lead the way to achieving our goals. 

Danone operates using Integrated Work Systems (IWS), a globally recognised methodology focused on building capability, empowering teams and driving continuous improvement.

As the Services & Utilities Manager, you will lead the site's Services Line Trio, working collaboratively across Operations, Maintenance and Technical functions to optimise performance, strengthen team capability and deliver sustainable operational results. Internally, this position is known as Line Lead - Services.

ABOUT THE ROLE - Te tūranga mahi

Lead the operation that powers one of New Zealand's most advanced nutrition manufacturing facilities.

We are seeking an experienced Utilities & Services Manager to join our team at Danone's world-class manufacturing facility in Balclutha.

This is a critical leadership role responsible for ensuring the safe, reliable and efficient operation of the site's utilities and services function. You will lead a dedicated team while driving operational performance, continuous improvement, safety, sustainability and reliability across the utility infrastructure that underpins our manufacturing operation.

Working closely with Operations, Engineering, Quality and Maintenance teams, you will play a key role in delivering site performance and helping achieve Danone's ambitious operational and sustainability objectives.

This is an opportunity to combine technical leadership, people development and strategic improvement initiatives within a highly collaborative manufacturing environment.

WHY YOU'LL LOVE THIS ROLE - Ngā take ka hiahia e koe tēnei tūranga

• Lead a critical function that enables the success of an entire manufacturing site
• Drive meaningful improvements in operational performance, efficiency and sustainability
• Develop and mentor a highly skilled team
• Influence site-wide operational and continuous improvement initiatives
• Join a globally recognised organisation with strong local and international career opportunities
• Work within a business committed to innovation, operational excellence and people development

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES - Ngā kawenga matua

As our Services & Utilities Manager, you will:

• Lead, coach and develop the Utilities team to foster a high-performing and safety-focused culture
• Ensure the reliable and efficient operation of critical utility infrastructure supporting manufacturing operations
• Drive utility performance through effective planning, monitoring and continuous improvement
• Lead initiatives that improve reliability, efficiency, sustainability and operational effectiveness
• Identify and implement opportunities to reduce waste, improve asset performance and optimise resources
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to support manufacturing performance and site objectives
• Ensure compliance with food safety, environmental and health & safety requirements
• Support capital projects, maintenance activities and operational improvement programmes
• Champion Danone's WISE Health & Safety culture and commitment to best practice operational excellence
• Develop team capability through coaching, succession planning and performance development

ABOUT YOU - Mō Koe

You are a strong operational leader who enjoys balancing strategic thinking with hands-on leadership. You bring a passion for developing people, solving complex problems and driving continuous improvement.

You are comfortable leading teams within a fast-paced industrial environment and have the ability to influence stakeholders at all levels of the organisation. Your proactive approach and commitment to safety, reliability and performance will enable you to make a significant impact in this role.

To be successful, you will bring:

• Proven leadership experience within utilities, manufacturing, engineering, industrial services, energy, processing or a similar operational environment
• Experience developing and leading high-performing teams
• Strong operational knowledge of utility systems, industrial processes or supporting plant infrastructure
• Demonstrated experience driving operational excellence and continuous improvement initiatives
• Strong analytical and problem-solving capability
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills
• Experience managing operational risk, compliance and safety requirements
• A collaborative approach and ability to work effectively across multiple functions
• Relevant engineering, utilities or technical qualifications would be advantageous

We welcome applications from candidates across manufacturing, food and beverage, energy, utilities, engineering, chemical processing, pulp and paper, mining and other heavy industrial sectors.

WHAT SUCCESS LOOKS LIKE - Me pēhea te angitu i tēnei tūranga

In your first 12 months, you will:

• Establish strong relationships across Operations, Engineering and Support Functions
• Strengthen the capability and engagement of the Utilities team
• Deliver measurable improvements in utility reliability and performance
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives that support operational efficiency and sustainability goals
• Contribute to a strong site culture focused on safety, quality and excellence

ABOUT US - Mō Mātou

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 specialised 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.

Located in the beautiful vista of Greenfield, just 20 minutes from Balclutha in the South Otago region, Danone Nutricia NZ spray drying plant employs state-of-the-art European technology to manufacture and package high-quality nutritional powders. Our farm-fresh quality NZ milk is collected, delivered and processed daily, ensuring only the best for our consumers. Our operation prides itself on delivering the finest food and ingredients to help stand by the consumers of our products.

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

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 on 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 that comes naturally to you. Your uniqueness is something that brings both excellence and energises 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!

How to Apply

If this opportunity resonates with you, don’t delay—apply now. We are reviewing applications as they come in, so we encourage you to submit your application as soon as possible. Click the APPLY button and send us your CV today.

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, or disability at our company.

No Recruitment Agencies, please.