Data Platform Lead

Waste Management; Auckland; On-site; NZD 150,000 - 210,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Career development

Work-life balance

Professional development

Family discounts

Fuel discounts

Job summary

WM New Zealand is seeking an experienced Data Platform Lead to own the vision and roadmap for our data products, from curated datasets to analytical models. You will work hands-on with the data engineering team to deliver solutions using Snowflake and dbt, while driving backlog and coordinating with stakeholders.

The role blends analytics engineering with product ownership, requiring strong SQL, dbt, and Snowflake expertise, plus mentoring and leadership capabilities across the team.

Qualifications

• Backlog ownership with requirements and value delivery.
• dbt workflows, metrics layers, semantic models.
• Strong SQL skills for large datasets.
• Snowflake data warehouse patterns and delivery.
• Dimensional modelling using Kimball methodology and star schemas.
• Stakeholder management and clear trade-offs with technical and non-technical audiences.
• Mentoring teammates in product thinking and business context.

Responsibilities

• Own the product vision and roadmap for data products.
• Build data products with dbt and Snowflake.
• Prioritise backlog and translate needs into specifications for the engineering team.
• Lead day-to-day delivery, unblock issues, and set priorities.
• Manage stakeholder relationships and timelines for data requests.
• Develop team capabilities through mentoring and coaching.

Skills

Product ownership

dbt

SQL

Snowflake

Dimensional modeling

Stakeholder management

Mentoring

Job description

WM New Zealand is New Zealand's leading resource recovery, recycling, and waste management provider. We’re committed to safeguarding our beautiful environment through sustainable management of our valuable resources. Put simply, sustainability is what we do.

Job Description

An opportunity has arisen for an experienced Data Platform Lead. The role combines hands‑on analytics engineering with responsibility for product strategy, backlog management, and stakeholder coordination to ensure our data products deliver measurable business value.

The position involves owning the vision and roadmap for our portfolio of data products, from curated datasets and metrics layers to analytical models and self-service tools while working alongside the data engineering team to build and deliver solutions using our data stack (Snowflake, dbt).

Key responsibilities include:

• Own the product vision and roadmap: Define and evolve the strategy for data products including curated datasets, metrics layers, semantic models, and analytical outputs
• Build data products hands‑on: Design and implement transformations, metrics definitions, and consumption‑ready datasets using dbt and Snowflake
• Manage the product backlog: Prioritise ruthlessly, translate business needs into technical specifications, and allocate work across the engineering team
• Lead day‑to‑day delivery: Run ceremonies, unblock issues, and create clarity on priorities and expectations
• Drive stakeholder relationships: Become the go‑to person for data product requests, lead discovery sessions, and manage expectations on timelines and scope
• Develop team capabilities: Coach engineers on product thinking, helping them understand the \"why\" behind what they're building

The role suits someone with strong analytics engineering foundations seeking to broaden their impact through product ownership while maintaining hands‑on technical involvement.

Qualifications

• Product ownership experience: Track record of owning a backlog, defining requirements, prioritising ruthlessly, and shipping data products iteratively that deliver value.
• dbt proficiency: Experience building and maintaining transformation workflows, metrics layers, and semantic models.
• Strong SQL skills: Ability to design performant queries, model complex business logic, and work with large datasets.
• Snowflake experience: Working knowledge of cloud data warehouse patterns and data product delivery.
• Dimensional modelling: Understanding of Kimball methodology, star schemas, and designing for consumption.
• Stakeholder management: Proven ability to manage expectations, navigate competing priorities, and communicate trade-offs clearly to both technical and non-technical audiences.
• Mentoring mindset: Experience guiding and upskilling team members, particularly in product thinking and understanding business context.

Additional Information

What we offer:

• Competitive Salary Package
• Valid and rewarding career path
• Work Life Balance Initiatives
• Professional Development Opportunities
• Discounts on various products for you and your family to enjoy
• Discounts on Fuel at Z!

Please note - we do not always work to fixed closing dates and may start considering applications as they are received so we encourage you to apply early.

WM is an EEO employer and promotes drug and alcohol-free workplaces.

You must be in New Zealand and hold a current work visa / residency or NZ citizenship.