Assistant Maintenance Manager – Reliability

|Food & Dairy - Management|Christchurch

The Company
This is an opportunity to join a respected FMCG manufacturer with a strong reputation for producing high-quality, well-known products. The organisation continues to grow as it invests in new technology, improves its capability, and strengthens its operational performance. With a positive culture built on teamwork, continuous improvement, and shared success, this is a place where people are supported, their ideas are valued, and they’re encouraged to contribute to ongoing plant and process enhancement.
 
The Opportunity
The business is seeking an Assistant Engineering Manager – Asset Care to play a key role in improving the reliability, performance, and lifecycle management of critical plant assets. Working closely with the Engineering and Maintenance Manager, you’ll help shape asset care strategies, develop preventative and predictive maintenance programmes, and lead initiatives that reduce downtime and improve efficiency across the site.
You’ll be involved in RCAs, reliability investigations, CMMS improvements, and commissioning work for new equipment. This is a hands-on role in a fast-paced manufacturing environment where no two days are the same, and where your contribution will have a direct and measurable impact on operational performance.
 
You, the Candidate
This position suits someone who enjoys solving engineering challenges, improving maintenance practices, and collaborating with teams to lift plant reliability. You’ll be confident working independently, while also forming strong working relationships across operations, engineering, and technical teams.
To be successful, you’ll bring:

  • A degree in Mechanical, Electrical, Industrial Engineering or a related field.
  • 5+ years’ experience in maintenance, asset management, or reliability engineering within manufacturing, utilities, or industrial environments.
  • Demonstrable experience personally delivering change and improvement initiatives.
  • Practical experience with reliability methodologies — RCA, FMECA, condition monitoring, predictive maintenance.
  • Strong understanding of asset management frameworks and CMMS systems (ideally MEX).
  • Excellent communication with the ability to influence decisions.
  • Strong analytical, problem-solving, and organisational skills.
  • A proactive, solutions-focused approach and the ability to adapt in a dynamic environment.
  • NZ full working rights.

Benefits
This is a newly created role, and an excellent opportunity to join a successful and forward-looking manufacturing operation where your engineering expertise will be valued and your ideas will help drive ongoing improvement. You’ll be supported by a collaborative team, have access to development opportunities, and receive a highly competitive package depending on your level of experience. 

Apply
If you’re an experienced engineering professional with a passion for asset care and reliability, we’d love to hear from you. Submit your application by clicking the APPLY button.
For a confidential discussion, contact Olivia Lawrence at olivia@trs.co.nz or 04 916 0536.