General Manager - Wine

Tribe Recruitment; Christchurch; On-site; NZD 180,000 - 260,000; Full time

Job summary

Wakatū Incorporation is a Māori-owned, values-led group based in Te Tauihu (Blenheim). You will lead a team of around 20 and own end-to-end accountability for the wine business, from vineyards to global distribution, with established domestic and international markets.

This is a rare opportunity to sharpen strategy, accelerate growth, and build high-performing teams within a kaupapa Māori organisation rooted in whakapapa and kaitiakitanga.

Qualifications

• Senior leadership experience in wine, FMCG or another export-led sector.
• Strong commercial and financial acumen, including P&L ownership.
• A track record of growing brands, markets and revenue.
• Experience leading complex, cross-functional operations.
• A global mindset and strong international networks.
• The leadership capability to build high performing teams and cultures.
• Curiosity, humility and genuine alignment with te ao Māori, whakapapa and Wakatū’s long term view

Skills

Senior leadership

Wine/FMCG leadership

P&L ownership

Brand & revenue growth

Cross-functional ops

Global networks

Team leadership

Māori alignment

Job description

Jora New Zealand will close on 9th September 2026. Thank you for being with us, we are cheering you on as you continue your career journey.

Tribe Recruitment – Christchurch, South Island

Wakatū Incorporation is no ordinary commercial organisation. Successful, established and deeply connected to Te Tauihu, it takes an intergenerational view of business, guided by Te Pae Tawhiti, its 500-year plan. Kono Wine brings that ambition to life through Tohu and Kono, award winning brands grown from whenua with deep whakapapa connections and taken to markets around the world. As the world’s first Māori owned wine company, Kono brings together commercial ambition, kaitiakitanga and a genuinely distinctive sense of purpose.

Based in Te Tauihu (Blenheim), you will lead a team of around 20 and take end to end accountability for the wine business, from vineyards and winemaking through to supply chain, sales and global distribution. With established domestic and global distribution, there is significant opportunity to grow existing markets and diversify into new ones.

Build on this strong foundation to sharpen strategy, accelerate growth, strengthen the brands and create lasting value.

What You’ll Bring

We are looking for an accomplished commercial leader who combines strategic thinking with the ability to make things happen.

• Senior leadership experience in wine, FMCG or another export-led sector
• Strong commercial and financial acumen, including P&L ownership
• A track record of growing brands, markets and revenue
• Experience leading complex, cross-functional operations
• A global mindset and strong international networks
• The leadership capability to build high performing teams and cultures
• Curiosity, humility and genuine alignment with te ao Māori, whakapapa and Wakatū’s long term view

About the Opportunity

Wakatū Incorporation is no ordinary commercial organisation. Successful, established and deeply connected to Te Tauihu, it takes an intergenerational view of business, guided by Te Pae Tawhiti, its 500-year plan. Kono Wine brings that ambition to life through Tohu and Kono, award winning brands grown from whenua with deep whakapapa connections and taken to markets around the world. As the world’s first Māori owned wine company, Kono brings together commercial ambition, kaitiakitanga and a genuinely distinctive sense of purpose.

Based in Te Tauihu (Blenheim), you will lead a team of around 20 and take end to end accountability for the wine business, from vineyards and winemaking through to supply chain, sales and global distribution. With established domestic and global distribution, there is significant opportunity to grow existing markets and diversify into new ones.

Build on this strong foundation to sharpen strategy, accelerate growth, strengthen the brands and create lasting value.

What You’ll Bring

We are looking for an accomplished commercial leader who combines strategic thinking with the ability to make things happen.

• Senior leadership experience in wine, FMCG or another export-led sector
• Strong commercial and financial acumen, including P&L ownership
• A track record of growing brands, markets and revenue
• Experience leading complex, cross-functional operations
• A global mindset and strong international networks
• The leadership capability to build high performing teams and cultures
• Curiosity, humility and genuine alignment with te ao Māori, whakapapa and Wakatū’s long term view

What’s on Offer

Kono Wine sits at the intersection of people, place, purpose and global ambition. With genuine autonomy and scope to shape the future, this is more than an opportunity to lead a successful wine business, it is a chance to create lasting value within a unique kaupapa Māori organisation grounded in whakapapa, kaitiakitanga and a long-term commitment to its people and whenua.