Site Manager

Kiwi Lumber is seeking an experienced Site Manager to take overall responsibility for the performance for their Putāruru, timber manufacturing site.
This is a substantial senior leadership position with genuine operational and commercial accountability.

Reporting directly to the Managing Director, you’ll lead the site across production, people, health & safety, quality, maintenance and financial performance.

It’s a role for someone who enjoys being close to the operation, understands the numbers behind a successful manufacturing business and, most importantly, knows how to get the best from people.

The role
Your role is to lead an effective, safe and profitable site that consistently delivers its business objectives.

You’ll lead an experienced management team and take ownership of overall site performance, with a strong focus on:

• People & leadership – developing a capable, engaged and accountable team and building a strong performance culture.
• Production & performance – delivering production plans, improving productivity and controlling costs while maximising value recovery and financial returns.
• Safety & quality – maintaining high standards across health & safety, quality and environmental compliance.
• Commercial & continuous improvement – managing budgets and KPIs while driving maintenance, Capex and process improvements that make the operation better.

The scope also includes ensuring production aligns with market demand and customer requirements, alongside oversight of purchasing and log supply.

What we’re looking for
You’ll already have significant leadership experience within a manufacturing, timber, forestry, processing or similarly complex operational environment.

You’ll understand that strong site performance is about more than hitting a production number. It requires the right people, disciplined processes, sound commercial decisions and a constant focus on improvement.

Ideally, you’ll bring:

• Extensive team management and leadership experience
• Strong commercial acumen and confidence with budgets, costs and operational KPIs
• A proven ability to develop people and lift operational performance
• Strong planning, problem-solving and decision-making skills
• A practical, visible approach to leadership and health & safety
• Strong communication and relationship-building skills

A tertiary, management/leadership or Solid Wood Manufacturing qualification would be advantageous.

Why Kiwi Lumber?
Kiwi Lumber offers the opportunity to lead a significant New Zealand manufacturing operation where your decisions and leadership will have a direct impact on performance.

You’ll have the scope to develop people, improve processes, lift performance and help shape the future of the site, backed by an established New Zealand timber business and an experienced wider leadership team.

Located in Putāruru, a thriving rural hub in the South Waikato known for its pristine natural springs, central North Island location, and strong property investment potential.

A shareholding opportunity will be available for the right candidate.
What next?
If you’re a commercially minded operational leader who enjoys being accountable for the whole picture – people, production and performance – we’d like to hear from you.

Send your cover letter and CV to Brigitta Warren or for a confidential discussion [021 466 732](tel:021 466 732).

Only those in New Zealand need apply and will be considered for this role.