Plant Manager

The Opportunity
Take charge of a high-performing recycling operation in the Waikato in this newly created role as Plant Manager. This hands-on leadership role is ideal for someone who enjoys a fast-paced environment, motivates teams and keeps people and processes moving in the right direction. With sustainability at the heart of everything my client does, you’ll play a key role in turning recyclable materials into a better future.

What you'll be doingBring your mechanical engineering expertise to a hands-on leadership role where understanding how machinery works is key to keeping a busy recycling operation running at its best. The priority of this role is to ensure construction and demolition materials are received within acceptable criteria, are processed safely and efficiently and return is maximised. Continuous improvement and QA are key to delivering the companies operational and strategic objectives.

Working alongside the General Manager, you’ll oversee daily site operations, ensuring plant, equipment and processes operate safely, efficiently and reliably. From identifying opportunities to improve equipment and people performance to maximising recycled output, you’ll play a hands-on role in driving productivity and continuous improvement. You’ll lead and support a hardworking team of excavator drivers, setting clear expectations and create a strong culture of accountability, collaboration and safety. 

This is an active role, so you’ll need to be physically fit and comfortable working outdoors and in steel-capped boots. You’ll regularly walk the site, coordinate your team and may operate diggers and excavators from time to time as required. Class 2 and/or Class 4 licences would be advantageous for occasionally moving larger machinery and vehicles.

What you will bring

• 8-10 years+ experience in recycling plants or sustainability environments. A background in demolition, quarrying, heavy industry or a similar operational environment is highly valued
• Proven people leadership skills, you’ll lead by example
• Actively coach, train and evaluate the performance of operational staff
• Strong communication and the confidence to build positive relationships with people from all backgrounds
• Demonstrates robust commercial acumen and the ability to identify strategic opportunities
• Proven strategic thinker and decision maker
• Health and safety will always be front of mind. You will champion safe work practices and help ensure the site remains a safe, efficient and well-run environment
• Enforce adherence to best practice and industry safety standards and site environmental management plans
• You must hold a clean full driver's licence
• MOJ and Drug and Alcohol testing will be carried out as part of the pre-employment requirement
• Candidates must hold NZ Citizenship or NZ Permanent Residency to be eligible for consideration

Make a difference with sustainable recycling and apply nowfor this exciting opportunity.