Area Manager - Schools & SESTA

Ritchies Transport; Upper Harbour; On-site; NZD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading transport provider in Auckland is seeking an experienced Area Manager to oversee school bus and SESTA services. This hands-on leadership role requires strong operational management and compliance knowledge. The ideal candidate has at least 5 years of experience, proven leadership abilities, and a focus on safety and service excellence. Join a company dedicated to making a difference in the community through reliable transport solutions.

Benefits

Career progression opportunities

Impactful work

Teamwork and collaboration environment

Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience in a multi-site operational role.
• Proven leadership capability to inspire and motivate teams.
• Experience managing budgets and performance.

Responsibilities

• Oversee the operation of school bus and SESTA services.
• Drive operational performance and financial sustainability.
• Build relationships with customers and regulatory bodies.

Skills

Leadership capability

Financial and business acumen

Operational performance management

Safety compliance knowledge

Team motivation

Education

Tertiary qualification in business or logistics

Job description

Overview

At Ritchies, we’re not just moving people – we’re connecting communities.

As one of New Zealand’s largest and most trusted transport providers, we play a critical role in helping people get to school, work, and everywhere in between, safely and reliably. With a proud Kiwi history and a focus on innovation, safety, and service, we’re passionate about doing things the right way, for our people and our passengers.

We have an exciting leadership opportunity for an Area Manager - Schools & SESTA to join our Auckland operations team.

About the Role

Reporting to the West Auckland Area Manager, you’ll oversee the safe, efficient, and profitable operation of our school bus and SESTA (Specialised School Transport Assistance) services across multiple sites for our North/West Auckland and Rodney operational areas.

This is a hands-on leadership role where you’ll work closely with Managers, Operations Supervisors, school and SESTA teams, and cross-functional departments to ensure service excellence, health & safety compliance, and a positive experience for passengers and our people.

You’ll also play a key role in:

• Driving operational performance and financial sustainability
• Building and maintaining relationships with customers, government partners, and regulatory agencies
• Embedding a strong safety culture and championing compliance
• Leading change, continuous improvement, and business growth

What You’ll Bring

We’re looking for a confident and capable leader who brings:

• At least 5 years’ experience in a similar multi-site operational role
• Proven leadership capability with the ability to inspire and motivate teams
• Strong financial and business acumen, with experience managing budgets and performance
• A safety-first mindset with a working knowledge of NZ transport compliance and standards
• A focus on service, people, and continuous improvement
• Confidence working with internal teams, local authorities, and industry bodies

Bonus points if you have a tertiary qualification in business, logistics, or a related discipline.

Why Join Ritchies?

• Work for a business with deep roots in New Zealand and strong future growth
• Be part of a team that lives by our values: Teamwork, Collaboration, Communication, and being Customer Driven
• Support a service that genuinely impacts children and families every day
• Opportunity to lead change and shape how we deliver school and SESTA transport services
• Career progression and development in a national company backed by global expertise

Ready to Lead and Make a Difference?

If you’re a driven and experienced operations leader ready to step into a rewarding role, we’d love to hear from you.