Supply Chain Manager (12 Month Fixed-Term Contract)

Contract: 12-month fixed-term (parental leave cover)
Start date: November 2026

About Pals

We’re Pals, the ‘better for you’ RTD brand that took New Zealand by storm in October 2019 becoming one of the fastest growing alcohol brands in history. Pals has won the hearts of Kiwis and Australians with its iconic pastel cans seen in the hands of celebrities, musicians and sports players and customers alike.

We're looking for a Supply Chain Manager to join our Operations team on a 12-month fixed-term contract to cover parental leave. This is an opportunity to take ownership of an end-to-end supply chain within one of New Zealand's fastest-growing beverage brands. Sitting at the heart of our Sales & Operations Planning (S&OP) process, you'll shape how we plan demand, manage supply, work with manufacturing partners and optimise our logistics network.

You'll work closely with suppliers, manufacturing partners and cross-functional teams to ensure our products are available where and when our customers need them, while helping the business make informed decisions on demand, supply and inventory

About the Role

As our Supply Chain Manager, you'll own the planning, procurement, manufacturing and logistics performance of our end-to-end supply chain, ensuring there is one clear plan for the business and turning that plan into reality.

From working with sales to forecast demand to planning production, purchasing materials, managing inventory and working with manufacturing partners, you'll ensure products are available where and when our customers need them. You'll proactively identify risks, balance competing priorities and drive practical solutions before issues impact the business.

You'll lead the Supply Review (SCR) and Demand Review (DMR) steps of our Sales and Operations Planning (S&OP) process, while also managing the performance of our logistics network through our 3PL and freight partners. From transport analysis and supplier performance to logistics tenders and network improvements, you'll help ensure our supply chain remains efficient, resilient and cost-effective.

Key Responsibilities

• Own and maintain the end-to-end supply plan, ensuring there is one clear view of future supply.
• Lead the Supply Review (SCR) and Demand Review (DMR) as part of our monthly S&OP process, ensuring clear visibility of demand, supply, inventory, risks and key decisions across the business.
• Plan production and manage procurement of ingredients, packaging and finished goods to balance customer service, inventory and cost.
• Monitor inventory across the network, proactively managing stock availability, slow-moving inventory and supply risks.
• Build strong relationships with suppliers and manufacturing partners, driving service, reliability and continuous improvement.
• Lead supply chain readiness for new product launches, product changes and promotional activity.
• Work cross-functionally with Sales, Marketing, Finance and Operations to align plans and priorities.
• Improve systems, reporting and ways of working to increase visibility, support decision-making and drive continuous improvement.
• Own the performance of our logistics network, partnering with our 3PL and freight providers to optimise service, cost and operational performance.
• Lead logistics analysis and continuous improvement initiatives, including transport cost reviews, network optimisation and supplier tenders (RFPs) where required.

About You

We're looking for someone who thrives on ownership. You'll be trusted to run a significant part of our business, so we're after someone who is proactive, commercially minded and comfortable making decisions. If you naturally take initiative, enjoy solving problems and like leaving things better than you found them, you'll fit right in.

You'll probably enjoy this role if you:

• Think several steps ahead and enjoy planning.
• Take ownership and don't wait to be asked.
• Naturally solve problems and look for better ways of working.
• Build strong relationships with suppliers and stakeholders.
• Balance commercial decisions with operational priorities.
• Challenge existing ways of working when you see a better approach.
• Take pride in delivering on your commitments.

You'll be someone who enjoys seeing the bigger picture while still paying close attention to the detail that keeps everything running smoothly.

Skills & Experience

Ideally you'll have:

• Built a solid foundation in supply chain, procurement, production planning or operations and are ready to take ownership of an end-to-end supply chain.
• Have worked within S&OP or can demonstrate a deep understanding of it.
• Strong planning and organisational skills.
• The ability to balance customer service, inventory, cost and operational priorities.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Strong analytical capability, with the ability to turn operational data into practical commercial decisions
• Advanced Microsoft Excel skills.
• A continuous improvement mindset.
• Experience managing logistics providers, freight operations or supply chain costs would be highly regarded.

Why Join Pals?

You'll be joining a supportive team where your ideas are genuinely welcomed. We're investing heavily in improving our systems, processes and technology, giving you the opportunity to help shape how we work in the future.

We offer:

• Flexible working hours to meet life commitments including 2pm Friday early finishes
• Birthdays off
• Competitive salary
• Free snacks and monthly team lunches
• Free Pals and Pals merch, of course!

Our Hiring Process

Rather than relying solely on interviews, we want to understand how you think and approach real-world situations.

As part of your application we'll ask you to answer a few short questions about your experience and approach to problem solving. Shortlisted candidates will then complete a practical exercise based on scenarios similar to those you'd encounter in the role. This isn't designed to catch you out. It's simply a chance for you to show us how you think and approach real-life situations.

We’re an Equal Opportunity Employer

Pals is an Equal Opportunity Employer and opposes any form of discrimination on the grounds of race, colour, age, sex, sexuality, transgender, religious belief, political opinions, physical or mental disability and impairment, pregnancy, potential pregnancy, breastfeeding, marital status, family/parental status or carer responsibilities, national extraction or social origin and membership or non-membership of a trade union.