General Manager

Aotearoa New Zealand Association of Social Workers; Palmerston North; On-site; NZD 180,000 - 260,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Company vehicle

Relocation assistance

Direct access to Board

Job summary

Aotearoa New Zealand Association of Social Workers is not the employer in this vacancy; Palmerston North hosts a high-profile executive leadership role working closely with the Board and leadership team to shape strategic growth and drive continuous improvement within a family-owned business context.

The role focuses on balancing strategic direction with operational execution, building capability, and implementing scalable disciplines to support sustainable long-term growth while maintaining

Qualifications

• Proven General Manager or Exec leadership with 7+ years in senior role.
• Experience reporting to Board, owners or shareholders.
• Strong financial, commercial and operational leadership capability.
• Experience leading multiple functions and managing complexity.
• Track record building high-performing teams and leadership capability.
• Experience in organizational change and business transformation initiatives.
• Significant P&L accountability and commercial focus.

Responsibilities

• Lead overall performance and profitability of the business.
• Develop and execute strategic growth initiatives.
• Build and mentor a high-performing leadership team.
• Improve organisational structure and accountability.
• Drive operational excellence and continuous improvement.
• Implement systems, AI, processes and scalable business disciplines.
• Improve margins and profitability.
• Provide leadership across multiple functions and governance areas.

Skills

Executive leadership

Strategic growth

People leadership

Governance

Job description

Palmerston North | Executive Leadership Opportunity

Our client is one of New Zealand's leading roofing and rainwater solution providers, with a strong reputation built on quality workmanship, long-standing customer relationships and a commitment to delivering exceptional outcomes.

As the business continues to grow and evolve, we are seeking an experienced General Manager to lead the next chapter of its success. This is a rare opportunity to partner directly with the Board, shape the future direction of the business, and build the capability, systems and leadership required to support sustainable long‑term growth.

About the Opportunity:

Success in this role will come from your ability to balance strategic thinking with operational execution. You will lead from the front, drive performance, introduce scalable business disciplines and foster a culture of accountability, continuous improvement and customer excellence.

Most importantly, you will understand the unique dynamics of a family‑owned business. You will respect the values, relationships and culture that have contributed to the company's success while having the credibility, emotional intelligence and commercial acumen to challenge constructively, implement best practice and lead meaningful change.

Working closely with the Board and leadership team, you will:

• Lead the overall performance and profitability of the business
• Develop and execute strategic growth initiatives
• Build and mentor a high‑performing leadership team
• Improve organisational structure and accountability
• Drive operational excellence and continuous improvement
• Implement systems, AI, processes and scalable business disciplines
• Improve commercial performance, margins and profitability
• Lead organisational change and business improvement initiativesProvide leadership across multiple business functions
• Ensure strong governance, compliance and health & safety leadership
• Create an environment where people can perform at their best

This is a highly visible leadership role requiring an individual who enjoys being present, engaged and actively involved in the business.

About You:

To be successful in this role, you will bring:

Essential Experience

• Proven General Manager or Executive leadership experience, with at least 7 years operating at a senior leadership level
• Demonstrated success growing a business while maintaining profitability and improving performance
• Experience reporting directly to a Board, owners, or shareholders
• Strong financial, commercial and operational leadership capability
• Experience leading multiple business functions and managing through complexity
• A track record of building high‑performing teams and developing leadership capability
• Experience implementing organisational change, continuous improvement and business transformation initiatives
• Experience operating with significant commercial and P&L accountability

Highly Desirable

• Construction, roofing, building products, trades, manufacturing or project‑based business experience
• Experience working within a family‑owned business environment
• Experience leading project delivery businesses from quotation through to completion
• Experience managing relationships with major retail and trade customers, including Mitre 10, Bunnings, PlaceMakers, ITM, Carters or similar
• Experience leading businesses through periods of growth, change and operational scaling
• Strong commercial decision‑making capability with a focus on sustainable profitability and long‑term growth

What's on Offer:

• Competitive executive remuneration package
• Company vehicle
• Relocation assistance for the right candidate
• Executive leadership opportunity
• Direct access to the Board
• Ability to shape the future direction of the business
• Strong organisational support
• Long‑term career opportunity

If you have successfully led a construction, roofing, building products, trades, manufacturing or project‑based business and are looking for an opportunity where you can genuinely make an impact, we'd like to hear from you.