Manager - Engineering and Asset Optimisation

About Vitaco

Vitaco is a prominent health and wellness company operating across Australasia with over 650 employees. Our respected brands include Musashi, Nutra-Life, Healtheries, Athena, and Balance. We manufacture and distribute high-quality products to customers domestically and in over 30 countries globally. Recognized as an HRD 5-Star Employer of Choice for two consecutive years (2025 & 2026), Vitaco fosters a workplace where employees thrive.

Role Overview

As a vital part of the Operations Leadership Team and reporting to the General Manager Operations, you will oversee engineering, reliability, and asset optimization within our Auckland manufacturing facilities. Your leadership will extend to a multidisciplinary engineering team of about 16 professionals, including six direct supervisors. You will champion the development and implementation of best-practice asset care and reliability-centered maintenance programs to improve performance and secure sustainable manufacturing growth.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead engineering and maintenance activities across multiple manufacturing locations ensuring safe and efficient asset operation.
• Develop and maintain an Asset Management System that adheres to governance standards and structured asset lifecycle processes.
• Drive improvements in reliability with methodologies including asset criticality analysis, FMEA, root cause analysis, and defect elimination.
• Implement a top-tier Reliability Centered Maintenance (RCM) program.
• Foster a culture of safety, accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement within the engineering teams through effective leadership and coaching.
• Lead initiatives in continuous improvement, digital manufacturing, CMMS governance, master data quality, MES integration, data analytics, and predictive maintenance.
• Manage budgeting, maintenance planning, and develop long-term asset replacement strategies.
• Optimize spare parts inventory and critical asset support protocols to reduce operational risks and improve working capital.
• Collaborate closely with Operations, Capital Projects, Quality, Supply Chain, and Safety teams to meet business objectives.
• Ensure engineering activities comply with high standards for Health, Safety, Quality, and Environmental protocols.
• Set engineering standards, manage contractor governance, and oversee project handovers across sites.

Candidate Profile

The ideal candidate possesses significant engineering leadership experience in FMCG, food manufacturing, or similarly complex environments. A degree in Mechanical, Electrical, or Industrial Engineering is required. You have proven capability in leading cross-site engineering teams and a strong background in Reliability Centered Maintenance, preventative maintenance, asset lifecycle management, and risk-based strategies. You demonstrate commercial acumen with budgeting and capital planning skills and excel in managing stakeholders and communication. Your leadership inspires trust, accountability, and team performance, with commitment to safety, quality, and operational excellence.

Benefits of Joining Vitaco

• Competitive salary with annual reviews.
• Employee discounts on leading health and wellness products.
• Access to wellness programs and a subsidized onsite café.
• In-house naturopathic advice available.
• A positive, collaborative, and innovative work environment.
• A birthday leave day to celebrate your special day.