The World of Wattie's

Message from Nigel

Nigel Comer, our Regional Chief Executive, shares his motivational thoughts on how anyone can succeed by ‘starting small’, and through great performance, can work their way up to greater things.

Starting small, and achieving great things.

My name is Nigel Comer and I’m the Regional Chief Executive for Heinz, with responsibility for our people and brands in New Zealand, Japan, Korea and Papua New Guinea.

I have been growing my career with Heinz for thirty years, starting my first role with Wattie’s on one of our operational sites. I’ve shown what determination, commitment, and a ‘will to win’ can do. What’s more, you can grow a strong career right here in New Zealand. 

Our founder Sir James Wattie’s career path is a great example of achieving great things from small beginnings.  The ‘small’ part of his story started in 1934, which was a milestone year in other ways also.

For example, it was the first year that New Zealanders celebrated Waitangi Day (although Waitangi Day was not declared a national day of commemoration and observance until the Waitangi Day Act of 1976). It was also the year that James Wattie could claim to have pioneered the modern concept of sustainability; an area we are still passionate about, by processing waste fruit into purée for jams in his garden shed in Hastings over 75 years ago.

Every day, the products we make are enjoyed by New Zealanders and people from many other countries. As one of New Zealand’s oldest and most trusted consumer brands, we continue to produce and market a wide range of foods that deliver on taste, quality, convenience and value. Against the trend, Heinz Wattie’s has been increasing its production in New Zealand over the last ten years, and has leadership across twenty product categories. I know that our continued success depends on the active participation and engagement of our customers, suppliers, and our people.

At Heinz Wattie’s, we are constantly working to create an environment that inspires our people, to set their own personal growth goals, be clear about  their aspirations and to work hard to achieve new personal realities. It’s the decisions we take as individuals that ultimately make a difference to our own performance, our career development and the Company’s results.

Joining our team will be the best career decision you can make and it will be the beginning of a journey during which you can showcase your ‘can-do’ attitude, and your will to win. You can take pride in knowing your efforts will contribute not only to your personal career satisfaction, but also to the continued success of Heinz Wattie’s and the wider New Zealand community.

Nigel Comer - Regional Chief Executive - Heinz Wattie’s

Mission & Values

Our business has at its core, people and the values we share that bring us together. Our belief in teamwork, collaboration, forward thinking, results, innovation and integrity give our people the framework they need to succeed.

Global Reach

Produced in New Zealand, loved in many other countries. Wattie’s has grown from the vision of Sir James Wattie into being an important part of H. J. Heinz, an international food company, with distribution to multiple countries worldwide. With a global demand comes the need for talented and driven people. We could even have an international opportunity for you.