Food, forestry and dairy industries provide most employment opportunities

There has been a steady increase in manufacturing sales over the last few years. New Zealand manufacturing is emerging from several years of decline as industries adjust to free trade conditions and less government support. The main areas of growth are in food manufacturing, and production from the forestry, dairy and chemical industries, all of which have strong export markets. As a result, employment opportunities for production planners in New Zealand are good in these industries.

Good employment opportunities in the regions

Auckland is the biggest manufacturing area in New Zealand, followed by Waikato, Canterbury and Wellington. Most production planner jobs are found in these regions, but positions are also available in other regions.

Some regions have production hubs based around local industries. For example, regions with strong farming and horticulture sectors such as Taranaki, Hawke’s Bay, Marlborough and Otago have more food and beverage manufacturing employment. Wood, pulp and paper manufacturing jobs are more prevalent in the North Island’s big forestry regions.

Overseas markets have become increasingly important to manufacturing in New Zealand over the last decade. This may create opportunities overseas for production planners if companies start manufacturing offshore. However, this could also result in fewer opportunities within New Zealand if companies choose to relocate their manufacturing plants entirely.

Changing knowledge and training requirements

Manufacturing has changed significantly over the last decade, mainly as a result of the success of Japanese production techniques. ‘Just-in-time’ manufacturing (manufacturing to consumer demand) and its associated manufacturing practises are now standard in many manufacturing companies.

In addition, many factories now operate 24 hours a day, which impacts on production planning. As a result, production planners generally work closely with sales and purchasing staff within their organisation and in some cases this role may be combined.

It is also becoming common for production planners to have some tertiary training in production methods.

Turnover moderate

Turnover among production planners is generally low due to the small number of positions available. However, turnover is often higher among graduates who enter a planning role in a smaller company to gain experience then move to a larger company.

(Written 19/04/2007)