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People & Culture Manager

Lawson WilliamsAshburton, Canterbury, New Zealand

2 days ago

Job description

Shape the people strategy for a growing agricultural business. Balance career opportunity and lifestyle.

Lead the people strategy with clear accountability for outcomes.
Build manager capability and embed culture across a growing multi site footprint.
Focus on direction and delivery through a small team and trusted partners.

The Opportunity

This is a key leadership role with a business that has expanded consistently and now employs more than 400 people across multiple sites. It is the first dedicated People & Culture leadership position, with a seat at the leadership table and influence at board level.

Located in Ashburton, the purpose of this role is to set and deliver a people strategy that supports growth, strengthens leadership capability, and embeds values across a diverse workforce.

You will not be building a corporate HR machine, but rather ensuring good people practice, pragmatic systems, and a culture where leaders thrive.

This is a chance to make a visible difference. You will work strategically while drawing on administrators and external partners for day-to-day execution.

You will also spend time out in the field to understand what people need, earning trust through plain communication and practical solutions.

Key Responsibilities

Develop and implement a people and capability strategy aligned with business growth.

Advise senior leaders and the board on workforce planning, structure and succession.

Build leadership capability through coaching, mentoring and development pathways.

Embed culture and values consistently across multiple sites.

Strengthen health, safety and wellbeing through workable practices and leader ownership.

Oversee immigration processes, visa support and migrant workforce integration.

Lead a small team, including administrators and a Health & Safety Manager.

About You / What We’re Looking For

Experienced HR or people leader with experience at senior level.

Background in distributed, diverse workforces.

Strategic mindset with ability to influence outcomes without direct line control.

Strong knowledge of New Zealand employment law and immigration processes.

Practical, plain-speaking communicator who builds trust quickly.

Skilled in leadership development and succession planning.

Able to balance senior-level presence with time spent on the ground.

What’s on Offer / Benefits

Strategic leadership role with direct impact on organisational growth.

Flat, open culture with influence at senior leadership and board levels.

Variety of work, combining high-level strategy with time in the field.

Opportunity to shape culture and people systems at scale.

Competitive remuneration package and long-term career growth.

If you are ready to lead people strategy in a growing, values-driven business, we’d love to hear from you.

Who is Lawson Williams?

At Lawson Williams, we have supported New Zealand’s food, manufacturing and wider technical businesses for over 30 years.

We work quietly alongside some of the country’s most respected companies to connect them with leaders, technical specialists, and operational professionals who drive performance across operations, manufacturing, supply chain, engineering, quality, and technical sales functions.

For the professionals we work with, a career move through Lawson Williams means joining businesses where you can make a real impact, contribute to business improvement, and continue to grow your career over the long term.

We do not shout about what we do, but the relationships we build and the trust we earn speak for themselves. We look forward to working with you when the time is right.

We encourage you to apply on this page. If you require further information, you can contact Theo Lawson on or John Lawson on for a confidential discussion.

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People Culture • Ashburton, Canterbury, New Zealand