Own the operation. Develop the leaders. Build the systems that support the next stage of growth.
Rebel Recruitment is partnering with an established Christchurch manufacturing business looking for an experienced Operations Manager to take genuine ownership of its day-to-day operational performance. The business is growing, investing in its systems and preparing for further expansion over the next 12 months.
They now need a strong manufacturing leader who can bring together production, planning, people, process and operational performance — while giving the GM the confidence to step back from the day-to-day. This is not a role for someone who wants to simply maintain the status quo.
The Opportunity
There is already a successful business underneath this role. This isn’t a turnaround from disaster.
The opportunity is to take a growing manufacturing operation and make it more scalable, more accountable and less dependent on the GM being involved in every operational decision. That means strengthening management capability, improving planning and reporting, embedding systems and creating greater consistency across the operation.
If you enjoy creating order, developing people and leaving an operation stronger than you found it, this should be an interesting challenge.
The Role
You’ll become the GM’s trusted operational 2IC, taking responsibility for the day-to-day running of the manufacturing operation.
You’ll lead across production, programming, scheduling and operational delivery, working closely with the leadership team to improve capacity, accountability and performance.
The business has approximately 65–70 people, is investing in new premises and systems, and has further growth ambitions.
Your job is to make sure the operation can scale with it.
Core Responsibilities
Lead day-to-day manufacturing and operational performance
Develop managers and team leaders to improve ownership and accountability
Improve production planning, capacity, workflow and resource utilisation
Drive process improvement and successful adoption of operational systems
Build clear KPIs, reporting and accountability across the operation
What We’re Looking For
We’re looking for someone who can understand what is happening on the floor, challenge constructively when needed and then put the systems and people around the problem to improve it. Our ideal leader will demonstrate the following.
Strong manufacturing operations leadership experience
Experience leading managers and sizeable operational teams
Proven success improving production, process and capacity
Strong commercial judgement and operational decision-making
Experience implementing or improving ERP / manufacturing systems
Practical, visible and comfortable getting close to the operation.
The Leadership Style
This business doesn’t need a corporate operator who leads from a spreadsheet.
They’re looking for someone who is:
Calm and approachable, but prepared to hold people accountable
Comfortable challenging managers constructively
Strong at developing capability rather than taking everything back themselves
Commercially minded and confident making decisions
Practical, grounded and low ego
The goal is a high-performing operation where people understand their responsibilities, managers genuinely manage, and problems don’t continually find their way back to the GM.
Why This Role Stands Out
Real operational ownership – this is a genuine second-in-command role
Growth ahead – join the business as it invests in capacity and expansion
Build the operation – improve systems, leadership and processes
Influence at leadership level – work directly alongside the GM
Competitive package – remuneration dependent on experience
There is genuine scope to grow with the organisation as the business develops, without pretending that there is a predetermined next title waiting for you.
Apply now or contact the team at Rebel Recruitment for a confidential conversation