Continuous Improvement Lead

Lineage; Christchurch; On-site; NZD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive pay

Volunteer time

Employee assistance

Retail discounts

Job summary

Lineage is recruiting an experienced Continuous Improvement Lead to champion our Lean programme across Christchurch sites. You will drive operational performance, standardise CI approaches, and lead Kaizens and value‑stream mapping leveraging Lineage’s global toolkit.

This hands‑on, people‑focused role requires coaching leaders, mentoring teams, and embedding safety and quality in every improvement initiative.

Qualifications

• Degree in Operations, Logistics, Lean Manufacturing or similar.
• Extensive Lean experience within logistics, warehousing or manufacturing.
• Proven success leading medium-large CI projects and cultural transformation.
• Travel across the NZ network will be required.

Responsibilities

• Lead the Christchurch pilot Lean program and guide accreditation.
• Build a standardised, scalable CI approach across Christchurch sites.
• Facilitate Kaizens, value‑stream mapping and CI roadmaps.
• Mentor leaders and teams, developing Lean capability and mindset.
• Use data and structured problem‑solving to drive safer, more efficient ops.
• Be a visible champion of safety, quality and compliance.

Skills

Lean

Leadership

Analysis

Coaching

Education

Degree in Operations, Logistics, Lean Manufacturing or similar

Tools

Kaizen

Value-stream mapping

Job description

Continuous Improvement Lead

Lineage is the world’s largest temperature-controlled industrial REIT and logistics solutions provider, with a global network of over 400 facilities, spanning 25 countries across North & South America, Europe and Asia-Pacific.

Working a Lineage is not just a job - it’s an opportunity to innovate and put your mark on how food moves from the farm to dinner tables around the world. As a member of the Lineage team, you are a critical link in the food supply chain.

The Asia-Pacific region currently includes Australia, New Zealand, Vietnam, Sri Lanka and Singapore employing nearly 2,500 team members.

We’re looking for an experienced and influential Continuous Improvement (CI) Lead.

• Champion our Lean Programme and embed best practices across the business.
• Play a key leadership role in driving operational performance and efficiency.
• Join a dynamic team where your ideas and expertise make a real impact

At Lineage, we are reimagining the future of warehousing and cold-chain logistics - and continuous improvement is at the heart of how we unlock our full potential.

We are looking to appoint an experienced and influential Continuous Improvement (CI) Lead to champion our Lean program across our Christchurch facilities and play a key leadership role in driving operational excellence initiatives across our broader New Zealand network.

Reporting to the Director Strategy & Continuous Improvement, Asia Pacific, this role offers the rare opportunity to lead CI and Lean processes, and establish the blueprint for success in the future.

About the Role

As the CI Lead, you will:

• Lead the Christchurch pilot Lean program - and guide the journey to accreditation
• Build a standardised, scalable approach for CI across the Christchurch sites using Lineage’s global Lean toolkit
• Facilitate Kaizens, value-stream mapping and CI Roadmaps to deliver measurable improvement
• Mentor leaders and teams at every level - helping develop Lean capability and mindset
• Use data, insight and structured problem-solving to shape smarter, safer and more efficient operations
• Be a visible champion of safety, quality and compliance in a busy, complex environment

This is a hands-on, people-focused role - ideal for someone who gains energy from being on the floor, empowering teams, and mobilising cultural change.

About You

You will thrive here if you have:

• Extensive Lean experience within logistics, warehousing or manufacturing
• Proven success leading medium-large CI projects and cultural transformation through the accreditation process
• Impressive analytical capability and commercial awareness
• The confidence to influence, coach and challenge constructively - from the floor to the boardroom
• A continuous improvement mindset and passion for unlocking people’s potential

You will require a degree in Operations, Logistics, Lean Manufacturing or similar and travel across the NZ network will be part of the adventure.

The Lineage Difference

What we do matters. From helping bring food to families to reducing waste and improving safety, our work creates real impact.

Our values aren’t slogans — they define how we show up:

• Safe – We prioritise safety above all else
• Trust & Respect – We succeed together
• Innovation & Boldness – We challenge the status quo to achieve better
• Servant Leadership – We empower people to thrive

This is your chance to shape how CI lives and breathes across our NZ operations — to be the catalyst behind a culture built on learning, engagement and continuous improvement.

Please note: Appointment is subject to reference checks and a pre-employment medical assessment (including drug testing). Lineage Logistics is committed to a drug and alcohol-free workplace.

Why Lineage?

Lineage is more than just a cold storage logistics business. We’re focused on being a vibrant, innovative and progressive employer where all our teams work safely, harmoniously and efficiently toward a common purpose - transforming the food supply chain to eliminate waste and help feed the world.

Lineage is dedicated to building a diverse, inclusive and authentic work environment and encourages applicants from all backgrounds to apply.

Benefits

Lineage provides a safe, stable and reliable work environment and offers;

• Competitive pay
• Retail discounts as some of New Zealand’s largest retailers (via the Boost Scheme)
• 8 hours of paid volunteer time to contribute in the community
• An employee assistance programme