Quality, Food Safety & Systems Specialist

Quality, Food Safety & Systems Specialist

Florentines Patisserie | Mount Maunganui

Florentines Patisserie is a leading New Zealand manufacturer of premium cakes, cheesecakes and desserts, supplying customers throughout New Zealand and Australia.

As our business continues to grow, we are looking for an experienced Quality, Food Safety & Systems Specialist to help strengthen our quality systems, food safety culture, and operational excellence across the business.

This is not a traditional quality management role.

We are looking for a hands-on professional who enjoys being equally comfortable on the factory floor and behind a computer. One day you may be leading a root cause investigation, reviewing production processes and coaching operators. The next, you may be implementing a new Quality Management System (QMS), developing SOPs, analysing quality trends or preparing for an SQF audit.

This is a highly influential role that will help shape the future of quality and food safety at Florentines.

What You'll Be Doing

• Lead the implementation and ongoing development of a new Quality Management System (QMS) software platform.
• Review, simplify and improve quality systems, SOPs and work instructions across the business.
• Drive root cause investigations and ensure effective corrective and preventive actions are implemented.
• Work closely with Production to improve factory floor processes, product quality, consistency and food safety outcomes.
• Analyse quality, production and complaint data to identify trends and opportunities for improvement.
• Maintain and continuously improve HACCP, PRP and SQF systems.
• Lead internal audits and support external audits, customer audits and regulatory requirements.
• Investigate customer complaints and quality incidents, ensuring issues are resolved effectively and permanently.
• Develop and deliver training that builds capability and ownership within production teams.
• Champion a positive food safety and quality culture throughout the organisation.

What We're Looking For

• Experience in food manufacturing quality assurance, food safety or technical roles.
• Strong working knowledge of HACCP, food safety systems and SQF.
• Experience implementing, improving or managing quality management systems.
• Excellent root cause analysis and problem-solving skills.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to influence positive change across multiple departments.
• Experience with Lean Manufacturing, Continuous Improvement or Operational Excellence principles would be highly regarded.
• Tertiary qualification in Food Science, Food Technology or a related discipline.

The Type of Person Who Will Thrive Here

You enjoy improving systems rather than simply maintaining them.

You are naturally curious and ask "why" until you find the real cause of a problem.

You are comfortable challenging existing processes and working with people across all levels of the business to make improvements.

Most importantly, you are happy rolling up your sleeves and getting involved. This is a hands-on role where success comes from being visible on the factory floor, building relationships, solving problems and delivering practical improvements.

Why Join Florentines?

• Be part of a successful, growing New Zealand-owned business.
• Play a key role in implementing new systems and driving meaningful change.
• Work across all areas of the business with direct access to senior leadership.
• No weekend work.
• Competitive remuneration package.
• Career development opportunities.
• On-site parking.
• Generous staff product discounts.
• If you are passionate about quality, food safety, continuous improvement and making things better every day, we'd love to hear from you.
• Applicants must be New Zealand citizens, residents or hold a valid New Zealand work visa.
• Apply now with your CV and cover letter.