Thank heavens for Hellers.
Hellers is one of New Zealand’s most recognised and trusted food manufacturing brands, with a heritage dating back to the 1880s. Today, the business employs around 1,000 people across New Zealand and Australia, with its largest manufacturing operation based in Kaiapoi, Christchurch.
Known as New Zealand’s butcher, Hellers produces many of the country’s favourite sausages, bacon, ham and value-added protein products, supplying supermarkets, foodservice and hospitality customers across New Zealand, Australia and parts of the Pacific.

The business combines strong family heritage with multi-faceted manufacturing operations, advanced processing environments and a practical, people-centred culture.

To find out more about Hellers, visit - https://hellers.co.nz/

The opportunity
This role sits at the intersection of strategy, operational leadership and influence.

Hellers operates sophisticated manufacturing environments where people, machinery and production systems work together in fast-paced settings. This role requires a leader who is comfortable engaging with manufacturing operations, critical risk and machinery safety - not simply policy and governance.

Hellers has a history of solid safety performance, a collaborative leadership team and genuine commitment to continuous improvement. Future focus is on continuing to strengthen operational maturity, critical risk management and environmental leadership across ANZ operations.

Reporting to the CEO and operating as part of the senior leadership team, you’ll partner closely with operations, engineering, quality and people leaders across the business. This is a role where credibility, influence and practical engagement matter as much as technical expertise.

What you’ll be responsible for

• Leading health, safety and environmental strategy across Hellers’ ANZ operations
• Strengthening critical risk management and embedding practical operational controls across manufacturing sites
• Driving improvements in how SOPs and safe systems of work are operationalised within complex manufacturing environments
• Providing leadership across environmental performance, ESG and decarbonisation initiatives
• Building strong partnerships across operational and leadership teams to drive sustainable improvement

About you
You’ll likely bring:

• Senior HSE leadership experience within food manufacturing, FMCG or similarly complex operational manufacturing environments
• Strong capability in managing critical risk, machinery safety and operational risk within highly automated production settings
• The ability to bring thought leadership and to influence constructively at all levels, from boardroom to factory floor
• Experience leading HSE teams and initiatives across multi-site ANZ operations
• Strategic thinking combined with practical operational judgement
• Experience engaging with executive teams, governance reporting and multi-site operations

Why this role stands out

• Executive-level influence within one of New Zealand’s most recognised food manufacturing businesses
• Broad ANZ remit across complex, high-performing manufacturing operations
• The opportunity to shape HSE, environmental and ESG maturity with a business investing heavily in its future capability
• A collaborative, down-to-earth leadership team that values practical thinking, visibility and partnership
• Competitive remuneration aligned to the scope, impact and strategic importance of the role

Location & travel
This role is Christchurch or Auckland based, with purposeful travel across NZ and Australia involving periodic site visits throughout the year.

Next steps
If you’re ready to lead HSE across a complex ANZ manufacturing environment with genuine influence at leadership level, we’d welcome your interest.

This role is being managed exclusively by Bishop.

For a confidential discussion, contact Mel Eradus on 03 2650 668 or email mel@bishopassociates.co.nz or click “Apply” to express your interest.

Applications close 19th June 2026.