Ruth Mihaka
Blenheim,Blenheim
Summary
- Passionate quality control professional with proven success as a team leader and team member for Heinz Wattie’s in various teams
- 16+ years with Heinz Wattie’s in a range of quality control roles and passionate about contributing to high performing food production teams
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills and the ability to build positive and collaborative relationships with team members and colleagues across the business
- Proven success working in busy quality management operations, able to adapt well to a range of environments and proven as a team leader
- Strong organisational abilities, able to prioritise and manage multiple responsibilities and tasks, work under pressure and meet deadlines
- A reliable, trustworthy and committed team member who pays attention to detail, goes the extra mile and is proactive in creating and leading positive change
- Highly committed to meeting and exceeding quality and hygiene standards
Equipped with strong problem-solving abilities, willingness to learn, and excellent communication skills. Poised to contribute to team success and achieve positive results. Ready to tackle new challenges and advance organizational objectives with dedication and enthusiasm.
Overview
25
25
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Grader
Trevelyans
01.2000
Meat Worker
Riverlands Meat Works
01.1999
Bottling Line Supervisor
Spy Valley Wines
05.2022 - Current
- Supervised daily operations to ensure adherence to safety and quality standards.
- Trained and mentored team members on best practices and operational procedures.
- Monitored equipment performance, addressing issues to minimize downtime.
- Maintained employee schedules to cover weekday, evening and weekend shifts.
- Monitored day-to-day production operations and identified methods to improve quality and efficiency.
- Reduced employee turnover and increased morale through effective communication, motivation, and team-building initiatives.
Machine Operator
Wine Works Blenheim
06.2020 - 05.2022
- Operated machinery for efficient production of wine products.
- Monitored equipment performance to ensure quality standards were met.
- Conducted routine maintenance on machines to minimize downtime.
- Collaborated with team members to optimize workflow and productivity.
- Assisted in training new operators on equipment and safety protocols.
- Implemented improvements in processes that enhanced operational efficiency.
- Ensured compliance with safety regulations and company policies during operations.
- Set up and adjusted equipment and properly configured machines for daily operation.
- Trained new employees on proper machine operation, ensuring adherence to company standards and safety guidelines.
- Loaded raw materials into machines and unloaded finished products to keep manufacturing process running smoothly.
Team Leader - Complex Recipes
Heinz Wattie’s
01.2018 - 01.2020
- Heinz Wattie’s Limited is an American-owned food producer of frozen and packaged fruit, vegetables, sauces, baby food, cooking sauces, dressings and pet foods in the New Zealand market. The Complex Recipes Team is responsible for quality control and product testing of 100+ products during the production process.
- Report to the Shift Leader and responsible for overseeing and leading a team of seven in the department.
- Lead the team in managing the testing of samples to ensure that recipes for 100+ products meet the company’s high quality standards. Oversee the completion of documentation and inputting of accurate information into computer systems.
- Responsible for building strong relationships with and regularly communicating and collaborating with other department team leaders such as the canning and cooking departments.
- Manage a range of HR tasks for the team such as training, mentoring, performance appraisals, induction, coaching and guiding the team regarding all aspects of quality work.
- Have been a Health & Safety Representative since 2009, lead Health and Safety for the team, run daily toolbox meetings and leading problem solving in the team.
- Appointed as Hygiene Surveillance Auditor for the Complex Recipes department which involves continuous review, assessment and reporting of all hygiene related matters.
- Key Achievements
- Highly successful and valued team leader who also fills the role of 2IC and successful in relieving the shift leader when required
- Highly effective in improving team morale and in building a positive and high performing team
- Achieved an increased number of products that have made it through to retail channels due to improvements in quality control
- Successful in consistently maintaining very high quality standards
- Led the introduction of new initiatives that have improved safety and reduced injuries
- Have built excellent relationships with team leaders and staff in other departments and proven in collaborating well with them to ensure high quality standards are met
Charge Hand/Team Leader - Seasonal
Heinz Wattie’s
01.2014 - 01.2020
- The Seasonal Team comes together in February - April each year following produce harvesting to produce a wide range of canned products that Heinz Wattie’s is well known for.
- Contribute to the seasonal team assisting with ensuring a large volume of produce is processed in a short timeframe. Initially appointed to the role of Chargehand and later as a Team Leader.
- Contribute to the assessment of quality in produce to meet high standards and also successful in leading processing teams.
Team Member - Complex Recipes
Heinz Wattie’s
01.2006 - 01.2018
- Reported to the Team Leader and worked in the team responsible for quality in the complex recipes department. Contributed to testing of samples to ensure that recipes for 100+ products met the company’s high quality standards.
- Completed documentation and inputting of accurate information into computer systems.
- Responsible for adhering to health & safety standards and for working collaboratively in the team to resolve issues and to meet the requirements of all quality testing procedures and programmes.
- Key Achievements
- Highly successful and positive member of the team and promoted to the Team Leader role
Quality Control/Operator
Heinz Wattie’s
01.2004 - 01.2005
- Worked across a range of departments including in quality control and as a capper operator in the recipes department.
Hotel Cleaner
Ambassador Hotel
01.2001 - 01.2002
Education
National Certificate - Employment Skills
Mahi Ora
01.2005
Skills
- Quality control
- Equipment maintenance
- Production control
- Teamwork and collaboration
- Problem-solving
- Time management
- Attention to detail
Certification
- First Aid Certificate, Spy Valley Wines St Johns, 2025
- Train the Trainers Course, Heinz Wattie’s, 2009
- HACCP Team
- Confined space certificate
Additional Information
Licences: Full NZ Drivers Licence, Current Forklift license Status: NZ Citizen, Interests: Fishing, Indoor Net-Ball, Camping
Endorsements
“Ruth has worked for Heinz Watties for 17 years. She has held a number of roles including machine operator, quality control and team leader in the recipe area. For the past seven years Ruth has managed the seasonal tomato canning line where she led a team of 22 staff. Ruth’s performance, personality, attendance and people skills are outstanding. She would be an asset to any business”. Ronald Fly, Shift Leader, Heinz Wattie’s, 2020
Timeline
Bottling Line Supervisor
Spy Valley Wines
05.2022 - Current
Machine Operator
Wine Works Blenheim
06.2020 - 05.2022
Team Leader - Complex Recipes
Heinz Wattie’s
01.2018 - 01.2020
Charge Hand/Team Leader - Seasonal
Heinz Wattie’s
01.2014 - 01.2020
Team Member - Complex Recipes
Heinz Wattie’s
01.2006 - 01.2018
Quality Control/Operator
Heinz Wattie’s
01.2004 - 01.2005
Hotel Cleaner
Ambassador Hotel
01.2001 - 01.2002
Grader
Trevelyans
01.2000
Meat Worker
Riverlands Meat Works
01.1999
National Certificate - Employment Skills
Mahi Ora