Graduate - Supply Chain and Logistics

Waste Management NZ Limited; Howick; On-site; NZD 59,000 - 72,000; Full time

Job summary

Waste Management NZ Limited is launching a two-year Supply Chain and Logistics Graduate programme starting February 2027. You will support collection route creation and optimisation, fleet usage and productivity analysis across multiple sites in New Zealand.

Mentorship, EMA training and hands-on projects help you grow practical skills in GIS, Excel and Power BI while contributing to sustainability and cost efficiency.

Qualifications

• Final year student or recent graduate (2025–2026).
• NZ Citizen or Permanent Resident.
• Start date February 2027.

Responsibilities

• Work on real-world projects across core operational and analytical functions.
• Support data-driven decisions to improve service performance and cost control.
• Gain hands-on experience with GIS, Excel and Power BI in a safety-critical environment.
• Partner with logistics, operations and regional stakeholders.
• Develop practical skills in operational analysis and modelling.

Skills

Proactive

Resilient

Curious

Problem solving

Communication

Data-driven

Stakeholder management

Adaptable

Education

Bachelor's degree in supply chain/logistics/engineering

Tools

GIS

Excel

Power BI

Job description

• Compensation: NZD 65,000 - NZD 65,000 - yearly

Company Description

Kick-start your career with us!

Ready to turn your degree into meaningful impact? As a Supply Chain and Logistics Graduate at WM New Zealand, you'll work on real-world challenges, develop your leadership capability, and help shape a more sustainable New Zealand.

WM New Zealand is Aotearoa’s leading materials recovery, recycling, and waste management provider, with over 1900 team members across 70 locations. Each year, we collect over 1,000,000 tonnes of waste and recycle well over 200,000 tonnes. We are the largest composter in New Zealand, the largest waste-to-energy provider, and have the largest commercial electric fleet in New Zealand, all powered by electricity from waste. As a team, we are constantly looking for new and innovative ways to redirect, neutralise and use waste.

Job Description

• Start strong from day one –Secure a permanent position from the beginning of the programme, giving you confidence and stability as you launch your career.
• Make a real impact – Contribute to Aotearoa’s circular economy by working with New Zealand’s leader in waste, recycling, and sustainability.
• Grow with us – With strong support from our leaders, access to EMA Training, In-House Training and mentorship you’ll gain professional skills that set you up for long-term success.
• Earn while you learn – Gain hands-on experience on real-world projects while developing your technical and professional skill set.
• Mentorship that matters – Be supported by experienced leaders and connect with a network of past grads and business mentors.
• Our values guide everything we do – Together, Safety, Sustainability, Innovation and Service.

About the Programme | Te Whiwhinga mahi

Our two-year graduate programme begins in February 2027.

As our Supply Chain and Logistics Graduate, you’ll gain hands on experience across the core operational and analytical functions of WM North, supporting services operating from Kerikeri through to Taupō. You’ll be involved in collection route creation and optimisation, fleet utilisation and productivity analysis, and identifying efficiency and improvement opportunities across both commercial and municipal contracts. You will be able to question the status quo and bring in change that can positively affect the way we do things. Working closely with logistics, operations and regional stakeholders, you’ll support data driven decisions that improve service performance, cost control and customer outcomes, while developing practical skills in operational analysis, modelling and the use of tools such as GIS, Excel and Power BI within a complex, safety critical operating environment.

No two days are the same — you’ll take part in:

• Real-world projects that contribute to our sustainability goals and increase efficiency in our operations
• Improving your communication skills by presenting your findings to operations and wider stakeholders at WM
• Developing your commercial awareness by understanding how operational decisions impact cost, productivity and customer service.
• Getting out into our operations to understand routes, fleet, sites and day-to-day logistics challenges first-hand.
• Using data to identify trends, inefficiencies and improvement opportunities.
• Working with operational teams to take an idea from analysis through to implementation and measuring whether it worked.
• Leadership and communication development through EMA e-learning modules.
• In-depth induction week including site tours and executive team sessions.
• Cross-functional learning and collaboration with experts and peers.
• Personalised mentorship from senior leaders.

And the best part? At the end of your two-year journey, you’ll transition into a permanent role with WM New Zealand.

Qualifications

Who we’re looking for

We're after motivated, curious, and solution-focused grads who are passionate about sustainability, innovation, and creating real change.

You’ll be a great fit if you:

• Are proactive, resilient and happy to get stuck in.
• Think outside the box and enjoy solving problems.
• Are confident talking to people at all levels and aren’t afraid to ask questions, follow up and politely chase people when needed.
• Are curious about how things actually work and enjoy getting out into the operation, not just analysing it from behind a desk.
• Are comfortable working with data and can turn numbers into practical insights and recommendations.
• Can balance competing priorities and adapt when plans change.
• Have an eye for detail and enjoy finding inefficiencies, patterns and opportunities for improvement.
• Build strong relationships and enjoy working with different teams and personalities.
• Are willing to challenge the status quo and speak up when you see a better way of doing something.
• Want to grow your career with purpose.

Additional Information

Eligibility Criteria

• You’re in your final year of study or have recently graduated within the last year (2025 - 2026).
• You’re a New Zealand Citizen or Permanent Resident
• Can commit to a start date of February 2027