Brewery Maintenance & Packaging Operator
bStudio Ltd is an established service provider to the beverage industry based in Napier, Hawke’s Bay. Our mission is to deliver the highest quality service and products to the craft beer and beverage industry as well as strategically diversifying into other beverages. The facility is fully managed under HACCP Food Safety program(s) which follow strict production policies and procedures to ensure our company values of exceptional service and quality product are met to meet our client’s expectations.
We are seeking a hands-on, reliable, and detail-focused Brewery Maintenance and Packaging Operator to join our Brewery team. This is a practical role that combines packaging line operation with routine maintenance support to ensure our brewery runs efficiently, safely, and meeting our clients high quality standards. The successful candidate will play an important part in getting finished product packaged accurately and on time while helping the Plant Engineer to maintain equipment, identify faults, and support continuous improvement across the site.
Below are the functions, ideal competencies and personal qualities required for the role.
Key Tasks:
- Operate brewery packaging equipment, including canning, bottling, kegging, labelling, packing, and related line machinery.
- Set up, monitor, adjust, and shut down packaging runs to meet production schedules and quality requirements.
- Carry out routine maintenance, inspections, and basic troubleshooting on packaging and/or brewery equipment.
- Assist with planned preventative maintenance to reduce downtime and improve plant reliability.
- Diagnose mechanical issues and escalate more complex faults where required.
- Maintain accurate production, maintenance, and quality records.
- Ensure packaging materials, consumables, and work areas are prepared and organised for efficient operation.
- Complete cleaning, sanitizing, and line clearance tasks in accordance with brewery hygiene and food safety procedures.
- Support product quality checks, including visual inspection, fill accuracy, packaging integrity, and general line compliance.
- Follow all health and safety procedures, including safe machine operation, lockout practices, hazard identification, and incident reporting.
- Work closely with brewing, warehouse, and production team members to maintain smooth workflow across the site.
Skills & Experience Required:
- Experience operating packaging machinery in a brewery, beverage, food manufacturing, or similar production environment.
- Mechanical aptitude with the ability to carry out product changeovers and machine setting.
- Understanding of packaging systems such as canning, bottling, kegging, conveyors, labellers, or carton packing equipment.
- Knowledge of hygiene, sanitation, and food safety requirements within a manufacturing environment.
- Strong commitment to workplace health and safety and safe use of machinery.
- Ability to work efficiently under pressure and maintain attention to detail in a fast-paced setting.
- Good written and verbal communication skills and the ability to work well within a team.
- Reliable, punctual, physically fit, and willing to undertake hands-on work.
- Forklift licence preferred but not essential.
- Trade qualification, engineering background, or maintenance experience would be advantageous.
- Applicants must be legally entitled to work in New Zealand.
What We Are Looking For:
- A practical, proactive person who enjoys solving problems and keeping equipment running smoothly.
- A person who can fit into small productive team who takes pride in producing a high-quality finished product.
- Someone who can adapt to changing production priorities and respond calmly to operational issues.
- A safety-conscious operator who values process discipline, cleanliness, and consistency.
- A person who is motivated to learn, improve systems, and contribute positively to brewery operations.
Work Environment:
This role is based in a busy contract brewery and beverage packaging production environment and may involve shift work, early starts, weekend work, and standing for extended periods. The role includes manual handling, working around moving machinery, exposure to wet areas, and maintaining high standards of cleanliness and housekeeping. A flexible, responsible, and safety-first approach is essential.
Why Join Us:
This is an excellent opportunity to join a close-knit brewery team where quality, safety, and continuous improvement matter.
We offer training to achieve either a trade and/or brewery packaging qualification.
We operate a calm, focused and practical facility based on the principles of common sense and fairness.
If you enjoy hands-on work, have a strong mechanical mindset, enjoy working in a team, and want to contribute to the production of consistently high-quality packaged product, we would like to hear from you. Email your covering letter and CV to Andrew Condon, andrew@bstudio.co.nz.