Production Manager-Finfish
Porirua | Full-time | Leadership Opportunity
At Moana New Zealand, we are true guardians of the world’s most pristine and sustainably managed fisheries – kaitiakitanga in action. We connect the world to the true taste and rare magic of Aotearoa’s premium kaimoana.
Your Opportunity to Lead
We’re entering an exciting new chapter in our Finfish (Ika) business, operating from a state-of-the-art facility in Porirua. As the Production Manager – Finfish, you will take full ownership of the day-to-day running of our wetfish processing operations, managing the Hub’s shared service team, and leading a teams across processing, logistics, sales and inwards goods.
Reporting to the Operations Manager – Southern Region, this is a pivotal leadership role where you will drive operational performance, develop and empower your people, and ensure we deliver premium kaimoana to both domestic and global markets.
What You’ll Be Responsible For:- Operational Leadership: Lead the daily operations of the Finfish factory, ensuring throughput targets are met while maintaining the highest standards of quality, food safety, and compliance.
- Team Development: Build a high performing, engaged workforce through coaching, mentoring, and structured training plans.
- Planning & Execution: Oversee production planning and resource allocation to meet customer demand and optimise factory performance.
- Continuous Improvement: Identify and implement process improvements to enhance productivity, reduce waste, and increase profitability.
- Health, Safety & Risk Management: Champion a strong safety-first culture and ensure full compliance with all regulatory and risk management requirements.
- Cross-functional Collaboration: Work closely with operational, sales, logistics, and supply chain teams to ensure seamless ocean-to-plate delivery.
- Proven experience in managing factory operations, ideally in seafood, fresh food, or FMCG environments.
- A strong leadership track record with the ability to inspire, develop, and lead diverse teams.
- Commercial acumen and a results-driven mindset, with a focus on throughput and profitability.
- Excellent planning, organisational, and communication skills.
- Sound knowledge of health & safety, food safety, and regulatory compliance (HAACP qualification required).
- A collaborative, hands-on approach and a commitment to upholding our values of kaitiakitanga, integrity, and excellence.
You will need to hit the ground running in this busy role, building confidence and credibility quickly with managers and employees. A big picture thinker, who is hands on, you will quickly garner a sound understanding of business drivers and pressures.
With a reputation as a professional, you must possess a high level of integrity, and energy, it is essential you are organised and able to manage multiple and conflicting priorities.
Whakapa Mai | Contact us
Please send your resume c/o Moana’s recruitment team to recruitment@moana.co.nz and in the subject box put the job title. Closing date for applications is 15 August 2025
Please note our recruitment process:
To be considered for this role, you must be legally able to work in New Zealand on a permanent, full-time basis.
If high numbers of applications are received, please note only those applicable to the role will be contacted in the first instance.
For all agencies- this role will be managed internally. If we need the support of an agency, we have established partners.
As part of our commitment to a safe and secure workplace, we conduct reference, and criminal checks, in addition to medical assessments including drug and alcohol. Please apply only if you're comfortable with this process.