Quality guaranteed

12 June 2025

Having worked for global player Tetra Pak in both hemispheres, Sergei Melnikov makes a habit of building on what he knows – the result is an amassed knowledge that makes him a valued contributor at the NZSSDA.

Back in Russia, when Sergei Melnikov’s mother insisted that her son learn English, she thought it would be a good investment – and how right she was. After ten years studying English it proved a valuable tool both working for an international company in Russia and then later when he moved to New Zealand.

It is fair to say that learning new things and then building on that accumulated knowledge has been the story of Sergei’s career path – culminating in his role of Senior Supplier Quality Development Engineer for prominent food processing and packaging solutions company Tetra Pak, here in New Zealand.

Focussed from the outset

As a young man in Russia, Sergei attended the Moscow Power Engineering Institute, attaining a master’s degree in electrical engineering.

As part of his studies, he took on an apprenticeship for a local company focussed on electrical vehicles, from cars to locomotives. “My specialisation was in electrical transport, designing the control system for these vehicles,” Sergei says.

The role also involved working with Kaizen, 5S, TPM (Total Productive Maintenance), APQP (Advanced Product Quality Planning) and PPAP (Production Part Approval Process) – advanced quality tools/techniques used in the automotive industry.

A sea change

There was a shift here from working in electrical design towards the quality control side of things and, with his degree completed, Sergei moved to another company, Danfoss, where this focus grew stronger.

“Original Dutch, Danfoss is an international company with a huge portfolio – everything from water services to solar generation.“I supported the electrical division, but I was also wearing different hats – quality control, quality assurance, welding, electrical components – a mixture.”

Skill set first – quality control a close second

Skills like electrical engineering and now various aspects of welding set Sergei in good steed for a career in quality control – to assess quality you really have to understand the fundamentals of parts and manufacturing from the ground up. With a strong interest in the field, it wasn’t surprising that towards the end of his time with Danfoss he became a Supplier Quality Engineer.

Tetra Pak – a giant step in the right direction

In 2016, Sergei switched to work for Tetra Pak under the same job title, followed soon after by him taking on the more advanced role of Quality and Safety Officer. Given what was going on in the world, Sergei Melnikov and his wife decided to leave Russia and was offered a timely transfer to New Zealand by Tetra Park.

Hello New Zealand

At that stage, Sergei knew little about NZ – except that we have great wine and beef, and that we celebrate a certain flightless bird.

“Soon, I will have been working for Tetra Pak for a decade; six years in Russia, and nearly three years in Hamilton, New Zealand. “Here, I initially held the same position, roles and responsibilities, and to a large extent, the basic principles are the same,” Sergei says.“

We supply a lot of stainless steel machinery parts such as tanks, vessels and pipe works to Fonterra, Open Country Dairy, Goodman Fielder and other big players on market. “We also export to Australia and the United States – even to Indonesia, Malaysia, Vietnam, and other countries.

In 2023, Sergei Melnikov advanced again within Tetra Pak – this time to the role of Senior Supplier Quality Development Engineer, a far reaching job that involves visiting suppliers across the country and internationally.

Onwards and upwards

In another early move (for a man who takes learning new things in his stride), Sergei furthered his academic career studies, attaining a Master of Engineering and Technology Masters Degree from NZQA.

Sharing the knowledge

In a country that is all about contacts, Sergei soon became a well regarded person in the stainless steel industry here and with one thing leading to another he is now a valued member of the NZSSDA. “One reason I came on board was that I was inspired by Paul Gapper’s (NZSSDA Executive Director) passion for stainless steel development,” he says. “He has a lot of thoughts and is a facilitator – very friendly, very professional.

Another thing that struck Sergei was the sharing of stainless steel knowledge from across diverse industries. “Whether from the construction or marine industry, everyone is trying to provide a valuable input, to discuss, to participate, to be involved.” More recently, Sergei Melnikov became an executive member, part of the Hygienic Group, working closely to update our bible – the Blue Book.

Life’s a beach

When asked about his new home country, Sergei is equally effusive. “New Zealand is an amazing place to both study and work in. “It’s a beautiful place and I’m playing, I hope, a valuable role – plus on the recreational side of things I bought a paddle board last year and a surfboard as well!”

Sergei says Mount Maunganui is his favourite place to hit the water so if you’re down on that particular stretch of sand yourself, watch out for a passionate man who is definitely riding a wave and going places.