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Head of Operations

165320
Technical and Operations
Christchurch, Canterbury
October 29, 2026
  • Transform with Innovation
  • Drive Operational Excellence
  • Design and deliver the Factory of the Future

Unleash the operational capability and potential of this fast growing Australasian Food Manufacturer.

Baker Boys is a proudly Christchurch-based, family-owned food manufacturing business with more than 30 years of history, innovation and success. With a diverse portfolio spanning their established brands, Baker Boys and Bakers Pantry, alongside private label manufacturing for major FMCG retailers, Baker Boys supply customers across the retail and foodservice sectors throughout Australasia. Backed by strong customer partnerships, internationally recognised food safety and quality certifications, and an ambitious growth agenda, Baker Boys is well positioned for its next chapter.

As Baker Boys grows exponentially by extending its product range and new customers, the opportunity is for a strategically orientated manager who can drive a step change in operational capability beyond simply increasing headcount and working hours. An ongoing program of capital investment will be central, coupled with engaging an innovative and forward thinking approach embedded into a staged and structured planning process.

Refining processes and systems is part of the solution, growing the team’s capabilities, increasing automation, and integrating data-driven decision making and performance measurement will play a critical role in building a robust Sales and Operations Planning (S&OP) process that supports delivering consistently high levels of service, quality, productivity and operational excellence.

Effective use of emerging technologies such as AI to work smarter, rather than harder, and identify leveraging points and potential bottlenecks will be a strong enabler.

Your background will come from manufacturing, ideally in Food Processing and evidence a strategic and transformational solutions based approach. You will have built teams that accept accountability for Health and Safety, food safety, hygiene and quality, embedded in a culture of continuous improvement.

Strong leadership and development skills with the ability to communicate well to build capability and a culture of engagement are critical to your contribution. This extends to communicating clearly at Board level through reporting and presentation of sound well thought through business cases that outline the ROI to the business both financially and in terms of tangible benefits.

As a key member of the executive team, you will help shape the strategic direction of the business and translate that strategy into a clear operational roadmap. This is an opportunity to build a high performing operation and unlock the potential of the business and the people who make it happen.


Applications will be reviewed as they are received and interviews may take place early, therefore early applications are encouraged.

To be considered you must contact Echelon Group directly as applications through other agencies will not be considered or accepted.

Gerald van Looy

For a confidential enquiry, contact Gerald van Looy

Tel: 03 335 3272
Mob: 021 302 888
Email: gerald.vanlooy@echelongroup.co.nz

Please apply online at echelongroup.co.nz or click on Apply now.

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