Operations Manager

Overview

An exciting opportunity has arisen with a leading New Zealand FMCG business taking their products to NZ and overseas markets. With a strong set of values, this organisation is committed to delivering premium, health-focused food products while championing animal welfare, environmental stewardship, and climate sustainability. The company has established domestic and export operations, with plans in place to continue its growth. Its impressive achievements to date demonstrate its commitment to innovation and delivering highly sought-after, sustainable food products. You will join a highly motivated and passionate group of people who love to be challenged and enjoy rolling up their sleeves to get the job done while having a lot of fun along the way.

The Company

The company has established domestic and export operations, with plans in place to continue its growth. Its impressive achievements to date demonstrate its commitment to innovation and delivering highly sought-after, sustainable food products. You will join a highly motivated and passionate group of people who love to be challenged and enjoy rolling up their sleeves to get the job done while having a lot of fun along the way.

The Opportunity

As the Operations Manager, you will play a pivotal role in leading and overseeing all aspects of the business’s operations, encompassing the head office in Auckland, along with offices and sites in the South Island and the Waikato as well as their domestic and export supply chain. This role requires a dynamic, results-oriented leader and strategic thinker ideally with a strong background in primary industry / food, supply chain and supplier relationship management. You will be responsible for driving operational excellence, optimising manufacturing and logistics processes, ensuring product quality, fostering strong relationships with suppliers across the entire group and contributing to the overall success and growth of the organisation.

Key Responsibilities

• Operational Leadership : Provide strategic leadership and direction for the operations to ensure efficient and effective production, distribution, and supply chain management.
• Supplier Relationship Management : Build and maintain strong relationships with suppliers, ensuring a reliable and consistent supply of high-quality dairy products. Negotiate and manage supplier contracts to optimise cost and quality.
• Quality Assurance : Establish and maintain rigorous quality control standards to ensure that all products meet or exceed regulatory and customer quality specifications. Implement continuous improvement processes to enhance product quality.
• Supply Chain Optimisation : Develop and execute strategies to optimise the supply chain, including logistics, transportation, and warehousing, to reduce costs and improve efficiency.
• Commercial Management : Collaborate with the finance team to develop and manage budgets, analyse financial performance, and identify cost-saving opportunities.
• Team Leadership : Lead and develop a high-performing operations team, fostering a culture of excellence, accountability, and safety.
• Compliance : Ensure compliance with all relevant regulations and industry standards, including food safety and environmental regulations.
• Market Expansion : Collaborate with the executive team to identify opportunities for market expansion and growth, both domestically and internationally.
• S&OP, reporting and Analysis : Lead a robust and commercially focussed S&OP. Provide regular reports and analysis to senior management on key operational metrics, performance trends, and strategic recommendations.

What’s in it for you?

This is an incredibly exciting time to join the business as they continue to grow and take new products to domestic and export markets.

You will be a team player and an ambitious individual with a “can do” personality who thrives in a growing environment with an entrepreneurial way of thinking. The business is ever-changing, and your ability to be agile and act quickly will enable you to succeed in this role.

Your excellent organisation skills and forward-thinking give you the ability to work to deadlines and prioritise tasks, all the while being adaptable and flexible to changes as they arise. As the business develops, you are ready to take on new challenges and apply yourself in areas where you feel you can contribute.

Considerable opportunity exists for you to learn, develop and progress your career in a passionate, entrepreneurial, NZ business taking quality, sustainable food products to domestic and international markets.

If this opportunity is of interest, please submit your CV by following the link below. If you’d like to find out more and for a confidential discussion, please contact Wayne Fry on or email

#J-18808-Ljbffr