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Operations Manager – Commercial Painting Contractor
Operations Manager – Commercial Painting ContractorPrima Projects Ltd • WorkFromHome, Auckland, New Zealand
Operations Manager – Commercial Painting Contractor

Operations Manager – Commercial Painting Contractor

Prima Projects Ltd • WorkFromHome, Auckland, New Zealand
16 hours ago
Job description

Operations Manager – Commercial Painting Contractor

Prima Projects Ltd – Auckland, North Island

We are looking for an Operations Manager for our commercial painting business. Please find the full position brief below.

Company Overview

  • Location : Auckland (operations across North Island, South Island & South Pacific)
  • Clients : 4-5 of New Zealand's major main contractors

Position Details

  • Title : Operations Manager
  • Reports To : Director
  • Direct Reports : 2 Project Managers, 1 Commercial Manager, Office Team
  • Location : Auckland-based with national travel required
  • Key Responsibilities

    Winning Work (50% of role)

  • Prepare tenders and estimates
  • Price projects accurately from $50k quick jobs to $5M+
  • Build and maintain relationships with main contractor QSs, project managers, and procurement teams
  • Present to clients and negotiate contracts
  • Win more work from existing main contractor clients
  • Target and secure 1-3 major main contractors we don't currently work with
  • Maintain competitive win rate while protecting margins
  • Running Operations (50% of role)

  • Oversee 2 Project Managers (they manage sites, this role oversees their performance)
  • Manage Commercial Manager and office team
  • Ensure 5-8+ concurrent projects deliver on-time and on-budget
  • Full responsibility for business profitability (revenue and costs)
  • Lead team of 40+ across office and site operations
  • Manage resources across both islands
  • Work independently and make decisions without constant direction
  • Maintain client satisfaction and protect company reputation
  • Essential Requirements

  • 10+ years in NZ commercial construction - painting contractor, subcontractor, or main contractor background
  • Expert-level Project Manager's Estimator skills
  • Proven history of winning tenders in $500k-$5M range
  • Strong understanding of margins, cash flow, risk, contract terms
  • Experience managing teams and driving performance
  • Self-sufficient, thrives with autonomy, doesn't need constant oversight
  • Full NZ driver's licence
  • Willing to travel nationally (North Island, South Island, sometimes South Pacific)
  • Highly Valued (Not Essential)

  • Existing relationships with major NZ main contractors
  • Relationships with main contractors we DON'T currently work with
  • Experience managing businesses in $5M-$15M turnover range
  • Background working inside a main contractor (QS, PM, Contracts Manager)
  • Trade qualification in painting or relevant industry certifications
  • Experience in both estimating / tendering AND operations management
  • Performance Incentives

    Revenue Performance Bonus

  • Tiered bonus structure based on annual company turnover
  • Higher turnover = higher bonus percentage
  • Rewards winning work and growing the business
  • No bonus if turnover drops below acceptable threshold
  • Operational Excellence Bonus

  • Project delivery - delivering projects on-time and on-budget
  • Margin protection - maintaining profitability through accurate estimating and cost control
  • Business development - securing new main contractor relationships
  • Total Package : $160k-$310k+ depending on performance

    Benefits : Company vehicle, phone, laptop, genuine autonomy, potential equity discussion after 2-3 years.

    Candidate Profile

    Ideal backgrounds

  • Senior Estimator or Project Manager at a commercial painting contractor ready to step up
  • QS, PM, or Contracts Manager from a main contractor who understands the client side
  • Someone who has worked with main contractors for years and wants autonomy and financial upside
  • Key attributes

  • Wins work - not just manages what others bring in
  • Self-starter - doesn't wait to be told what to do
  • Relationship builder - can maintain and grow client connections
  • Leader - can drive performance without micromanaging
  • Professional presence - credible with main contractor decision-makers
  • Resilient - can handle pressure and make tough decisions
  • This role is NOT suitable for :

  • Someone who needs constant direction or approval
  • Pure estimators with no operational / leadership experience
  • Pure operations people with no tendering / estimating capability
  • Anyone uncomfortable with performance-based pay
  • Someone looking for a comfortable, low-pressure role
  • Market context for candidates

  • Only 5-6 major main contractors build significant projects nationally
  • We work with 4-5 of them - only 1-3 gaps remain
  • Reputation matters - everyone knows everyone
  • Market can turn quickly - need someone who can perform in good times and bad
  • #J-18808-Ljbffr

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    Commercial Manager • WorkFromHome, Auckland, New Zealand

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