Continuous Improvement Lead

  • All Posting Locations: Hastings, Hawke's Bay, NZ
  • Job Functions: Manufacturing
  • Date Published: August 25, 2025
  • Ref#: R-95886

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An office with Kraft Heinz product images on the wall
a 4 pack of raspberry jell-o

About the Role

Job Description

Continuous Improvement Lead

  • Grow your Manufacturing career in in a global FMCG organisation!

  • Collaborative and dynamic work environment

  • Location: Tomoana, Hastings, New Zealand

Grow Your Manufacturing Career in Continuous Improvement!

Are you a motivated and experienced professional looking to drive continuous improvement in a manufacturing environment? Do you want to join a dynamic team with a proven track record of innovation and excellence? We have an exciting opportunity for a Continuous Improvement Lead to join our team in Tomoana, Hastings, New Zealand site. Here you will play a key role in identifying and implementing process improvements to drive efficiency, productivity, and quality.

The Company

The Kraft Heinz Company is one of the largest food and beverage companies in the world, with eight $1 billion+ brands and global sales of approximately $25 billion. Our brands are truly global, with products produced and marketed in over 40 countries. These beloved products include condiments and sauces, cheese and dairy, meals, meats, refreshment beverages, coffee, infant and nutrition products, and numerous other grocery products in a portfolio of more than 200 legacy and emerging brands.

Key position responsibilities include, but not limited to:

  • Drive continuous improvement activities to increase productivity, efficiency, and quality

  • Coach and train operators in continuous improvement principles and problem-solving techniques

  • Analyse performance data to identify areas for improvement and develop plans to address variances

  • Implement and maintain the Kraft Heinz Management System (KHMS) and its continuous improvement processes

  • Facilitate root cause analysis and lean/six sigma methodologies to drive continuous improvement

  • Develop and implement plans to reduce waste, improve safety, and increase equipment reliability

  • Collaborate with operators, maintenance, and process owners to drive improvement initiatives

  • Gather and analyse data on key performance indicators such as OEE, waste, and defects

  • Develop and implement action plans to address daily and weekly variations to plan

  • Participate in daily, weekly, and monthly meetings to drive continuous improvement and transformational change

About you:

  • Have a background in manufacturing and a passion for continuous improvement

  • Demonstrated problem-solving skills and continuous improvement knowledge

  • Possess data analysis and interpretation skills, with the ability to identify areas for improvement

  • Capable of learning lean six sigma methodologies and can conduct root cause analyses

  • Collaboration and communication are strengths of yours, with experience working with Operators, Maintenance, and Process Owners.

  • You have worked under a management system within a manufacturing environment prior.

  • Possess a creative approach to problem-solving and a focus on reducing waste and improving safety

  • Experience in manufacturing processes and a desire to improve them are key requirements

  • Strong analytical and problem-solving skills are necessary for this position

  • Have a team-oriented mindset and a willingness to drive transformational change

  • Eligible to work in New Zealand with full working rights.

Benefits of working with us

  • Pay for Performance – industry leading variable compensation offerings tied to company and individual performance on top of a competitive base salary package

  • Parental Leave – paid time off for both primary AND secondary caregivers

  • Leave Options – Purchased leave, volunteer leave and LiveWell leave programs to give you even more flexibility to plan your life and spend time on causes that matter

  • Novated Leasing

  • Great Place to Work certification in Australia and New Zealand

  • In House Training Programs

  • Corporate Discount Programs 

Ready to make an Impact?

If you're passionate about driving production excellence and continuous improvement, eager to learn and grow with a dynamic team, and enjoy collaborating with others, we'd love to hear from you! We're reviewing applications on a rolling basis, so don't wait – submit your application today. We're excited to connect with talented individuals who share our commitment to innovation.

#LI-DNI

Location(s)

Tomoana

 

Kraft Heinz is an Equal Opportunity Employer – Underrepresented Ethnic Minority Groups/Women/Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities/Sexual Orientation/Gender Identity and other protected classes.

Digital at Kraft Heinz

The
Builders

Our Digital team empowers every aspect of our business.

Discovering what’s next in food using Python, Azure ML and Alteryx. Building and designing apps. Improving our supply chain.

We’re bringing agility to beloved brands across the globe — making life delicious for our customers and communities, today and tomorrow.

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a jar of Kraft Crunchy Peanut Butter

HR at Kraft Heinz

The
Facilitators

People are what makes Kraft Heinz great. Today. And tomorrow.

In Human Resources, we’re finding and developing great talent to continue our legacy. We’re here for every colleague, for their performance and their wellbeing.

Together, we’re helping everyone to grow their own way.

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a jar of Heinz Garlic Sauce

Manufacturing at Kraft Heinz

The
Makers

Our Manufacturing team is a fully-integrated end-to-end supply chain. We’re the backbone of Kraft Heinz. The people behind the products, delivering the highest quality and value.

Whether you’re a seasoned manufacturing veteran or new to the world of plants, there’s tons of opportunity for career growth and development.

NEED ALT
a squeeze bottle of Wattie's Steak Sauce

Marketing at Kraft Heinz

The
Strategizers

Our Marketing team are the voice of our consumers. Connecting the right people, to the right products, with the right messages and campaigns.

We’re the architects of category growth, making sure our brands are front and center — winning the battle for attention in the minds of people everywhere.

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a package of Maxwell House Vanilla Iced Latte foam

R&D at Kraft Heinz

The
Creators

Our Research and Development team creates high-quality products that push the boundaries of what’s possible. Innovation is what gets us up in the morning!

Whether you want to develop your technical skills or grow as a people manager, there’s a place for you here to advance your career.

NEED ALT
a box of Delimex Chicken Taquitos

Sales at Kraft Heinz

The
Connectors

Our Sales team drives multibillion dollar distribution strategies. And we do this across channels and across the whole world!

We thrive wherever consumers can meet iconic and innovative brands — in retail, on-trade, and B2B. We’re the closest people to our customers, getting our products to the right people, in the right places.

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a package of Heinz by Nature tomato mozarella pasta
Collage of Traci

Hear from
our people

“Kraft Heinz doesn’t just talk about their values, they live it every day.”

Traci
Senior Customer Sales Manager

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Hear from
our people

“The best is yet to come at Kraft Heinz. I’ve experienced the launch of a new purpose, new vision and values. Now I’m seeing all of those things truly take shape and that is very exciting.”

Michael
Associate Director Pension

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Hear from
our people

“The best thing about working at Kraft Heinz are the benefits and opportunities for growth and career development.”

Manetta
Talent acquisition Specialist

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About Us

Kraft Heinz is a global food company with a delicious heritage.  Our emerging and iconic food and beverage brands deliver the best taste, fun, and quality to every table we touch. Worldwide.

We’re on a mission to disrupt not only our own business, but the global food industry. Consumer obsession and unexpected partnerships fuel our progress. As we drive innovation company-wide.

Our people are connected by a culture of ownership, agility and endless curiosity. We believe in being good humans — working to improve our company, communities, and planet.

We’re proud of where we’ve been and even more thrilled about where we’re headed as we nourish the world and lead the future of food.

Why Us

We grow our people to grow our business. We champion great people who bring ambition, curiosity, and high performance to the table as the guardians of our iconic and nostalgic brands.

Good isn’t good enough. We choose greatness every day by making bold decisions and challenging what’s ordinary. All while celebrating our wins – and failures – as we work together to transform the future of food.

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