Operations Manager

LeaderBrand is one of New Zealand's most recognised horticultural businesses, proudly growing, harvesting and supplying fresh vegetables to Kiwi families for over 50 years. We're looking for an experienced operational leader to join our farming senior leadership team. Please not this is a Gisborne based role. Reporting to the General Manager – Farming, you'll lead the teams responsible for all crop support operations, such as nursery production, groundwork, cultivation, development, irrigation, planting and harvest functions, ensuring everything is delivered safely, efficiently and to the highest standard. While experience in horticulture is certainly valuable, we're equally interested in hearing from leaders who have built successful careers in other large-scale operational environments such as forestry, agriculture, civil contracting, manufacturing or food production. What matters most is your ability to lead people, build strong relationships, drive performance and deliver operational excellence. This is a senior leadership role with significant responsibility. You'll provide direction to experienced managers and supervisors, influence the wider farming strategy, and play a key role in ensuring LeaderBrand continues to deliver exceptional results. This role follows the rhythm of the growing season. During peak periods you'll be comfortable leading from the front, with early starts and the flexibility to put in the extra time required to support the operation. In return, you'll join a business that values commitment, collaboration,continuous improvement and is ultimately making a difference evolving the future of fresh food supply. What you'll be doing Leading nursery production, groundwork, cultivation, land development, irrigation, planting and harvest operations. Developing high-performing managers, supervisors and operational teams through coaching, accountability and clear expectations. Leading a team of 6 direct reports and over 60 FTE’s. Working alongside Crop Managers and specialist technical teams to ensure operational plans are executed safely, efficiently and on schedule. Driving continuous improvement across systems, innovation, productivity, sustainability and operational performance. Managing operational planning, resources and budgets to maximise efficiency and deliver results. Championing a positive health, safety and quality culture across the business. Building strong relationships across the wider business, contractors and key external stakeholders. Contributing to Leaderbrand’s foundation and strategic direction of being New Zealand’s most Innovative and Consistent producer of Tasty, fresh food. About you You’ll be an outgoing, experienced operational leader who has exceptional relationship skills and earns the trust and respect of those around you. You know how to build capable teams, create accountability and keep complex operations running smoothly. You’ll also bring Proven experience leading large operational teams in horticulture, agriculture, forestry, civil contracting, manufacturing, food production or another complex operational environment. A people-first leadership style with the ability to coach, develop and motivate others. Strong relationship-building and communication skills, with the ability to influence across all levels of a business. Commercial awareness and experience managing operational budgets, resources and performance. Excellent planning and organisational skills, with the ability to balance competing priorities. Experience working in seasonal, production-driven or operational environments where priorities can change quickly. A practical, hands-on approach and a genuine commitment to continuous improvement. Why LeaderBrand? LeaderBrand is proudly New Zealand owned and has built its reputation through innovation, quality and a genuine commitment to its people. This is an opportunity to step into a key leadership role where you'll have the autonomy to make an impact, work alongside an experienced leadership team, and help shape the future of one of New Zealand's leading horticultural businesses and with it the supply of fresh food. If you're looking for a role where your leadership will genuinely influence people, performance and the future direction of a major farming operation and New Zealand’s fresh food chain, we'd love to hear from you. #J-18808-Ljbffr