Distributed Energy Resources (DER) Operations Manager (12-month fixed term)

Meridian Energy; Christchurch; On-site; NZD 120,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Salary package with discounts

Three company-paid days

KiwiSaver enhanced contributions

Learning & development opportunities

Wellbeing programme

Employee discounts off power

$400 home setup payment

Job summary

Meridian Energy is seeking a Distributed Energy Resources (DER) Operations Manager based in Christchurch. This build-and-operate role focuses on delivering distributed energy, starting with residential solar and Smart Hot Water.

You will design processes, controls and handovers, enabling simple, reliable delivery while partnering with customer-facing teams and delivery partners. The position is a 12-month fixed-term opportunity.

Qualifications

• Experience building or improving operational delivery processes in residential solar or related technical environments.
• Experience mapping workflows and creating SOPs, checklists, templates or frameworks.
• Background in operational coordination, project support or service delivery.
• Attention to detail with accurate records and fixing information at source.

Responsibilities

• Design, document and improve the process from sale to handover, then test it in live delivery.
• Define what information is needed at each stage, who owns it and how it’s captured at source.
• Prepare, submit and track distributed generation applications with distribution businesses.
• Keep compliance and job records tight, and build them into the normal workflow.
• Monitor queues and deadlines, manage installer relationships and clear roadblocks early.
• Handle purchase orders, approvals and invoicing, and remove manual work wherever you find it.
• Spot recurring bottlenecks, report on delivery and prioritise what to fix.

Skills

Operations delivery

Process mapping

SOPs & templates

Cross-functional collaboration

Tools

Workflow systems

Job description

Mai tehikuki tetaurapa,whitikinae terā From the tail of the fish to the tail of the waka, shines the sun Thiswhakataukīspeaks to our journey across Aotearoa, one waka, one purpose, powered by the natural forces that sustain us. Meridian is Aotearoa’s largest renewable electricity producer, generating energy from the winds ofTāwhirimātea, the waters of Tangaroa, and the warmth of Tama-nui-te-rā. Together, our two brands,MeridianandPowershopretail electricity to more than 400,000 homes, businesses and farms across New Zealand.Nowthat’sapretty impressivecombo!

Mai tehikuki tetaurapa,whitikinae terā From the tail of the fish to the tail of the waka, shines the sun Thiswhakataukīspeaks to our journey across Aotearoa, one waka, one purpose, powered by the natural forces that sustain us. Meridian is Aotearoa’s largest renewable electricity producer, generating energy from the winds ofTāwhirimātea, the waters of Tangaroa, and the warmth of Tama-nui-te-rā. Together, our two brands,MeridianandPowershopretail electricity to more than 400,000 homes, businesses and farms across New Zealand.Nowthat’sapretty impressivecombo!

Job Description

Mô te türanga | What you’ll be doing

As our Distributed Energy Resources (DER) Operations Manager, you’ll bring order, clarity and pace to how Meridian delivers distributed energy, starting with residential solar and Smart Hot Water. This is a build and operate role. You’ll run day-to-day delivery and design the processes, controls and handovers that make it simple, reliable and ready to grow. Working with customer-facing teams, internal functions and delivery partners, you’ll cut delays and rework and create a seamless customer experience. You’ll be based in Christchurch, working in a cross-functional squad with the Asset Deployment & Operations team as your home base.

• Design, document and improve the process from sale to handover, then test it in live delivery.
• Define what information is needed at each stage, who owns it and how it’s captured at source.
• Prepare, submit and track distributed generation applications with distribution businesses.
• Keep compliance and job records tight, and build them into the normal workflow.
• Monitor queues and deadlines, manage installer relationships and clear roadblocks early.
• Handle purchase orders, approvals and invoicing, and remove manual work wherever you find it.
• Spot recurring bottlenecks, report on delivery and prioritise what to fix.

This is a 12-month fixed term opportunity.

Ngā painga ki a mātou | What we can offer

We value work/life balance, so our flexible work options (where possible) make things easier for you and your whānau. We also offer:

• An attractive and competitive salary package plus discounts from a number of partnerships
• Three company paid days (over the holiday period)
• Enhanced KiwiSaver contributions
• Excellent learning and development opportunities, we want you to be the best version of yourself and will help you get there!
• Award winning wellbeing programme that provides support whenever and wherever you need it
• Employee discounts off your power with Meridian, every bit counts
• A one-off $400 payment to support your work from home set-up (if needed)

Ngā pukenga kei a koe mô tenei türanga | What you’ll bring

• Proven experience building or improving operational delivery processes in residential solar or a closely related technical environment.
• A practical grasp of how sales, design, network approval, installation, compliance and handover connect.
• Experience mapping workflows and creating SOPs, checklists, templates or frameworks.
• A background in operational coordination, project support or service delivery.
• Sharp attention to detail and accurate records, and the instinct to fix poor information at the source.
• The ability to prioritise across multiple jobs, stakeholders and deadlines.
• Ownership of the outcome, not just the task.
• A root-cause, continuous-improvement mindset.
• Comfort building structure where none exists yet, and balancing pace with control.
• A collaborative style that works across customer, operational and technical teams.
• Bonus: experience with residential solar installers or distribution businesses, broader DER, field services or NZ electricity sector exposure, and purchase orders, invoicing, workflow systems or document management.

He aha koe i hono mai ai ki a mātou? | Why join us?

We see energy as mauri, the life force that connects people and place. Joining Meridian means contributing to kaitiakitanga, caring for the environment and future generations while empowering communities to flourish.

We’re a team that believes in being in the waka together supporting each other, celebrating our wins, and learning from our challenges. You’ll be encouraged to show tū maia, to be bold, curious, and authentic in your mahi, and to practice rangatiratanga by leading with integrity and purpose, no matter your role.

We embrace diversity and inclusion and ensure that everyone feels like they belong, are welcomed, feel valued, and feel comfortable to bring their whole selves to work. We want all our people to be the best that they can be, so we make sure that there’s room for everyone to be exactly who they are, and welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and experiences, including individuals with disabilities, diverse health needs, and those who identify as neurodiverse, because we believe our differences make us stronger. We believe that fun is good for you, and we make sure that our office vibe reflects that.

If you have any general enquiries, please email [e-mail] and one of our team will get back to you. We're committed to being accessible and providing support if needed, please get in touch via email or phone if there are any parts of our process you would like assistance with (process found here meridianenergy.co.nz/careers), we’re more than happy to help.

This role is based in Christchurch.

Advertising closes at 11:59pm on 15 November 2026 (please note this may be subject to change).