Operations Manager - Manufacturing

Own the operation. Develop the leaders. Build the systems that support the next stage of growth.

Rebel Recruitment is partnering with an established Christchurch manufacturing business looking for an experienced Operations Manager to take genuine ownership of its day-to-day operational performance. The business is growing, investing in its systems and preparing for further expansion over the next 12 months.

They now need a strong manufacturing leader who can bring together production, planning, people, process and operational performance — while giving the GM the confidence to step back from the day-to-day. This is not a role for someone who wants to simply maintain the status quo.

The Opportunity

There is already a successful business underneath this role. This isn’t a turnaround from disaster.

The opportunity is to take a growing manufacturing operation and make it more scalable, more accountable and less dependent on the GM being involved in every operational decision. That means strengthening management capability, improving planning and reporting, embedding systems and creating greater consistency across the operation.

If you enjoy creating order, developing people and leaving an operation stronger than you found it, this should be an interesting challenge.

The Role

You’ll become the GM’s trusted operational 2IC, taking responsibility for the day-to-day running of the manufacturing operation.

You’ll lead across production, programming, scheduling and operational delivery, working closely with the leadership team to improve capacity, accountability and performance.

The business has approximately 65–70 people, is investing in new premises and systems, and has further growth ambitions.

Your job is to make sure the operation can scale with it.

Core Responsibilities

• Lead day-to-day manufacturing and operational performance
• Develop managers and team leaders to improve ownership and accountability
• Improve production planning, capacity, workflow and resource utilisation
• Drive process improvement and successful adoption of operational systems
• Build clear KPIs, reporting and accountability across the operation

What We’re Looking For

We’re looking for someone who can understand what is happening on the floor, challenge constructively when needed and then put the systems and people around the problem to improve it. Our ideal leader will demonstrate the following.

• Strong manufacturing operations leadership experience
• Experience leading managers and sizeable operational teams
• Proven success improving production, process and capacity
• Strong commercial judgement and operational decision-making
• Experience implementing or improving ERP / manufacturing systems
• Practical, visible and comfortable getting close to the operation.

The Leadership Style

This business doesn’t need a corporate operator who leads from a spreadsheet.

They’re looking for someone who is:

• Calm and approachable, but prepared to hold people accountable
• Comfortable challenging managers constructively
• Strong at developing capability rather than taking everything back themselves
• Commercially minded and confident making decisions
• Practical, grounded and low ego

The goal is a high-performing operation where people understand their responsibilities, managers genuinely manage, and problems don’t continually find their way back to the GM.

Why This Role Stands Out

• Real operational ownership – this is a genuine second-in-command role
• Growth ahead – join the business as it invests in capacity and expansion
• Build the operation – improve systems, leadership and processes
• Influence at leadership level – work directly alongside the GM
• Competitive package – remuneration dependent on experience

There is genuine scope to grow with the organisation as the business develops, without pretending that there is a predetermined next title waiting for you.

Apply now for a confidential discussion.