Processing Assistant - Smallgoods

We’re on the lookout for a reliable and experienced Processing Assistant to join our busy morning shift team in Christchurch.

If you’re passionate about meat processing, thrive in a fast-paced environment, and take pride in delivering high-quality products, we’d love to hear from you.

Position snapshot:

• Location: Cumnor Terrace, Woolston
• Employment Type: Full-time, Permanent
• Immediate start
• Shift: Monday to Friday, Alternate Saturdays (early finish)
• Hours: 3:30 AM – 12:00 PM (approx.)

About the Role

You’ll play a key role in our meat and smallgoods processing operations, working with a variety of machines and techniques to produce top-quality products. Your responsibilities will include:

• Operating sausage filling machines, mincers, vacuum packers, and other processing equipment.
• Selecting and preparing meat for smallgoods production.
• Grinding, mixing, mincing, and tenderising meat.
• Preparing seasonings and adhering to production recipes and schedules.
• Packing processed meat into cartons for storage and distribution.
• Labelling and packing stock according to operational SOPs.
• Ensuring proper storage and rotation of meat stock.
• Maintaining high standards of food safety and health & safety.
• Preparing meat for sale: deboning, trimming, cutting, mincing, and grinding.
• Marinating, seasoning, curing, and crumbing meat cuts.
• Operating smoking chambers, cooking kettles, and vats.

What We’re Looking For

Our ideal candidate is self-motivated, physically fit, and ready to hit the ground running. You’ll be a team player who thrives in a fast-paced environment and shares our values of Resilience, Inclusivity, Creativity, Collaboration, Work ethics and Humility.

To be successful, you’ll have:

• A trade qualification or relevant butchery experience.
• 2–3 years of hands-on industry experience.
• Strong skills in meat cutting and preparation.
• Experience using Handtmann sausage filler/linker.
• Practical knowledge of daily mincing procedures.
• Familiarity with operating and maintaining meat processing machines.
• A stable, referenced work history.
• Physical strength and fitness to handle heavy lifting.
• A strong commitment to food safety and workplace wellbeing.
• Good organisational skills and the ability to multitask.

Eligibility & Pre-employment Checks

Applicants must be a New Zealand citizen, permanent resident, or have the legal right to work in NZ.

Pre-employment checks include:

• Employment references
• Ministry of Justice and ACC checks
• Alcohol and drug testing by an accredited provider

How to Apply

If you're ready to take on a rewarding role in the meat processing industry, apply online now with your CV and cover letter. We look forward to welcoming you to our team!