Operations Manager - Supply Chain

Job description

Kia ora! Lead a critical supply chain operation, empower great people and help keep Air New Zealand flying Every successful flight relies on a supply chain that delivers the right parts, tools and materials at the right time. At Air New Zealand, you'll have the opportunity to lead an operation that directly supports aircraft readiness, operational reliability and the journeys of millions of customers. We're looking for an experienced, people-focused Operations Manager - Supply Chain to lead our Auckland North Warehouse and satellite stores. You'll bring fresh thinking, strong operational leadership and a passion for developing people to help shape a safer, smarter and more efficient supply chain. Leading a team of approximately 45 people and managing an annual budget of around $5 million, you'll have the scale, autonomy and cross-functional influence to make a meaningful difference. How you'll make an impact Lead our North Warehouse and satellite stores, ensuring safe, reliable and efficient delivery of parts, materials and tools that keep airline operations moving Inspire and develop a team of approximately 45 people, including 5 to 7 direct reports, building leadership capability, engagement and a culture of accountability Drive measurable improvements in warehousing, distribution, freight, inventory and tool control, strengthening service performance and operational efficiency Manage an annual budget of approximately $5 million, balancing cost efficiency, service quality and long-term operational capability Partner with Engineering & Maintenance, Airports, In-flight Operations and Crew to solve challenges and deliver better outcomes across the airline Champion safety, regulatory compliance and business continuity, maintaining strong controls, audit readiness and operational resilience Use SAP, performance data and operational KPIs to identify opportunities, improve decision-making and deliver sustainable results. What you'll bring You're a collaborative leader who combines commercial thinking with a genuine commitment to people, safety and operational excellence. You know how to navigate complexity, build trusted relationships and turn improvement opportunities into results. Ideally, you'll bring: Proven leadership experience in warehousing, distribution, supply chain or a similarly complex operational environment Experience developing high-performing teams, leading change and creating a positive, accountable team culture Strong commercial judgement, including budget management, supplier relationships and service level agreements An understanding of safety, regulatory and operational requirements, ideally within aviation or another highly regulated industry Confidence using SAP or comparable enterprise systems, alongside data and performance measures, to drive improvements Strong communication and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to influence across diverse operational teams A relevant tertiary qualification in business, supply chain or a related discipline, or equivalent practical leadership experience. We know great talent comes in many forms. If you bring strong operational leadership experience, transferable skills and a fresh perspective, we'd love to hear from you. Why join Air New Zealand? At Air New Zealand, you'll join an iconic Kiwi organisation where your leadership can make a real difference. We want our people to thrive at work and enjoy life beyond it, with benefits including: Generous discounted travel opportunities for you, your friends and whānau FlexiLeave, giving you the option to purchase up to four additional weeks of leave each year Learning and development opportunities to grow your leadership capability and career Access to discounted medical insurance and a range of health and wellbeing support services Discounts across hotels, activities, retail and other everyday essentials. Your journey starts here If you're ready to lead a critical operation, develop talented people and help shape the future of supply chain performance at Air New Zealand, this is your opportunity to make an impact that reaches well beyond the warehouse. Bring your leadership, curiosity and drive to improve. We'd love to see where you can take us. Applications close Sunday 15th November 2026. At Air New Zealand, we are proudly committed to diversity, equity and inclusion and believe in creating a truly inclusive workplace where everyone can be themselves and thrive. Our people are our greatest asset – because while everything else we do in our operation can be replicated by our competitors, it is our people that truly set us apart. We are firm believers in celebrating the differences and diversity of thought our people bring to their roles. Whāia te pae tawhiti kia tata. Ko te pae tata whakamaua, kia tina. "Seek to bring distant horizons closer. Once near, seize them and make them your reality."