Operations Manager

Rainbow Confectionery is a proudly New Zealand–owned business with a long history of making quality confectionery for the domestic and international markets. Based in Oamaru, Rainbow combines traditional values with modern manufacturing, placing a strong emphasis on safety, quality and doing things the right way.

At Rainbow, people matter. The business is built on teamwork, respect and continuous improvement, with a genuine commitment to creating a workplace where employees feel supported, valued, and encouraged to grow.

Are you ready to make a meaningful impact in this successful and agile manufacturing business?

Reporting to the General Manager, the Operations Manager plays a key role in ensuring Rainbow Confectionery operates safely, efficiently and consistently every day. This is a senior leadership position with responsibility for leading the factory management team and supporting approximately 70 staff across production, packing, engineering, technical and warehousing functions.

Working closely with your teams you will turn strategy into action, optimise production to consistently meet demand, maintain high standards of quality and food safety, and drive continuous improvement in a practical and people-focused way.

Key responsibilities include:

• Leading day-to-day factory operations to ensure a safe, efficient and productive workplace
• Supporting, mentoring and developing a capable and engaged leadership team
• Driving continuous improvement initiatives to ensure efficiency, capability and performance
• Ensuring operations deliver on time, within budget and to Rainbow’s quality standards
• Overseeing food safety, quality assurance and compliance with regulatory requirements
• Taking a proactive, solutions-focused approach to challenges and change
• Building positive working relationships across all stakeholders

You will be an experienced manufacturing or operations leader who enjoys collaboration and being part of the day-to-day rhythm of the business. Bringing a strong technical understanding of manufacturing you have a proven ability to lead teams, build trust and enhance Rainbow Confectionery’s positive workplace culture. Proven experience in high-speed, shift-based processing environments, combined with an understanding of lean and efficient manufacturing practices, would be highly regarded.

You are naturally curious and committed to ongoing learning, with a strong interest developing both systems and people. Agile, practical and approachable, you are comfortable leading people performance, solving problems and balancing strategic thinking with hands-on leadership.

Most importantly, you share Rainbow Confectionery’s values and lead with integrity, professionalism and a genuine commitment to safety, quality and teamwork.

To discover more about Rainbow Confectionery, visit https://rainbowconfectionery.co.nz/   

For a confidential discussion about the role, contact Lisa Edwards on 021 240 4410