Operations & Production Manager

Join New Zealand’s most traditional manufacturers in their industry, an organisation that has stayed true to its roots while continuing to thrive. With long-standing relationships across both suppliers and retail customers, this business is respected for its authenticity, loyalty, and ability to deliver quality products. Their close-knit culture values hands-on leadership, practical thinking, and a commitment to continuous improvement. If you’re looking to join a stable, well-established NZ company where your impact will be genuinely felt, this is the role.

Operations & Production Manager
Consumer manufacturing
Rosebank, Auckland | $negotiable

The Role
As the Operations & Production Manager, you’ll take charge of the end-to-end daily operations, guiding a team through two direct reports while maintaining strong visibility on the production floor. This is a sleeves-rolled-up position with around 25% of your time being be spent overseeing production, ensuring processes run smoothly and efficiently. You’ll lead production scheduling, supplier and procurement management, 3PL coordination, and drive lean improvements across the operation. This is a traditional manufacturing environment where practical leadership, operational know-how, and the ability to motivate a team through clear objectives are essential.

Experience Required
- Proven experience in Operations, Production, or Manufacturing Management.
- Strong background in traditional production environments; familiarity with “old-school” manufacturing setups.
- Demonstrated success in leading small teams, including coaching, developing, and performance management.
- Hands-on leadership style with the ability to switch between strategic oversight and floor-based problem solving.
- Solid understanding of lean methodologies, continuous improvement, and efficiency optimisation.
- Experience with production scheduling and workflow planning.
- Knowledge of 3PL logistics, supply chain functions, and inventory management.
- Proven supplier management and procurement capability.
- Confidence in fostering a positive team culture built on collaboration and accountability.
- Industry experience in print, packaging, FMCG, or related manufacturing environments preferred.
- Strong communication, decision-making, and organisational skills.
- Ability to thrive in a practical, fast-paced, and dynamic operational environment.
- Candidates with experience in print, packaging, FMCG, or similar production settings will thrive.

Why join?
- Work for a respected, truly NZ-owned business with long-term stability.
- Direct influence over operational improvements and future production capability.
- A supportive, down-to-earth leadership culture where your contributions matter.
- Opportunity to shape and modernise processes while preserving traditional values.

If you’re a motivated operations leader who enjoys hands-on management and wants to be part of a business with heritage, loyalty, and a strong future, we’d love to hear from you.