Head of Performance and Optimisation

Foodstuffs South Island; Christchurch; On-site; NZD 140,000 - 210,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible working

Parental leave

Health insurance

Wellbeing tools

Training library

Diversity & inclusion

Free parking

On-site café

Job summary

Foodstuffs South Island is seeking a Head of Performance & Optimisation in Christchurch to set the strategy and roadmap for Supply Chain value delivery for members, customers and communities. You will lead teams across Continuous Improvement and Projects, embedding data-led decision making to reduce cost-to-serve and drive lasting change.

You will be responsible for building capability, frameworks and disciplined approaches across the function, translating strategy into practical roadmaps and

Qualifications

• Lean Six Sigma certification or equivalent experience applying structured improvement methodologies at scale.
• Significant leadership experience in continuous improvement, operational excellence, transformation, supply chain or related roles.
• Strong track record delivering measurable improvements in productivity, service, efficiency or cost.

Responsibilities

• Set the Supply Chain performance and optimisation strategy and translate it into a prioritised roadmap.
• Build a culture of continuous improvement and data-led decision-making across Supply Chain.
• Establish performance frameworks that create clarity, strengthen accountability and drive action.
• Identify and deliver opportunities to improve productivity, service and cost-to-serve.
• Build capability in structured problem-solving, performance conversations and change adoption.
• Ensure improvements are sustained with clear ownership and measurable benefits.

Skills

Lean Six Sigma

Leadership

Data analysis

Continuous improvement

Strategic planning

Job description

About the role

As our Head of Performance & Optimisation, you’ll set the strategy and roadmap for how our Supply Chain function continues to deliver greater value for members, customers and communities across the South Island.

Reporting to the General Manager Supply Chain, you’ll sit on the Supply Chain Leadership Team alongside our Heads of Commercial, Operations and Transport. Leading teams across Systems Continuous Improvement, Operations Continuous Improvement, and Projects, you’ll determine where improvement effort and investment will have the greatest impact. You’ll embed the frameworks, capability and data-led decision‑making needed to reduce cost-to-serve, improve productivity and deliver lasting change across Supply Chain.

Key Accountabilities

• Set the Supply Chain performance and optimisation strategy, translating it into a clear and prioritised roadmap.
• Build a culture of continuous improvement and data‑led decision‑making across Supply Chain.
• Establish performance frameworks that create clarity, strengthen accountability and drive action.
• Identify and deliver opportunities to improve productivity, service and cost-to-serve.
• Build capability in structured problem‑solving, performance conversations and change adoption.
• Ensure improvements are sustained, with clear ownership and measurable benefits embedded into everyday operations.

About You

You’ll be an experienced leader who can set a clear strategy, turn it into a practical roadmap and deliver measurable change across a complex operational environment. You’ll bring deep expertise in Lean Six Sigma and continuous improvement methodologies, with a track record of building the capability, systems and disciplines that drive sustained performance improvement.

You’ll also bring:

• Significant leadership experience in continuous improvement, operational excellence, transformation, supply chain or performance‑focused roles.
• Lean Six Sigma certification, or equivalent experience applying structured improvement methodologies at scale.
• A strong track record of delivering measurable improvements in productivity, service, efficiency or cost.
• Experience developing and implementing performance frameworks, optimisation strategies and improvement roadmaps.
• Strong analytical capability and the ability to turn complex data into clear decisions and action.
• Experience leading leaders and influencing outcomes across multiple functions.

What we offer

• Our approach to flexible working is based on trusting and empowering our people to manage their time and deliver results while balancing the needs of their personal lives.
• We’re committed to equitable outcomes, and we offer additional paid parental leave, free period products and financial health checks to name a few.
• We support your wellbeing with Southern Cross health insurance for you and your family after a qualifying period, discounts at local gyms, and access to online wellbeing tools.
• We offer continuous learning and professional growth, as well as access to our extensive online training library and endless opportunities.
• We’re proud of our supportive team environment, and our positive and friendly culture that’s made fun by regular social events!
• We’re a Pride Pledge organisation, and we are committed to an inclusive workplace where everyone thrives, every day and we celebrate our diversity as strength.
• Our Hornby based office has free carparking, an in‑house café.

About Us

We’re a team of 14,000 who make sure South Islanders have access to the groceries and essentials they need. Proudly 100% Kiwi‑owned and operated, our co‑operative has more than 180 PAK’nSAVE, New World, Four Square and On the Spot stores feeding the South Island.

We value being at the heart of our communities, like we’ve always been, to make the South Island a better place – for today and for many generations to come. From sunny Golden Bay all the way to Stewart Island, there’s a Foodstuffs store serving you and your whānau.

Our success is down to our people who bring their skills, experience, passion, and expertise to make Foodies an amazing and rewarding place to work. Our co‑op has a wide variety of roles to offer, and endless opportunities for development.

Our Values

At Foodies, together we drive success to be our best and care for our whānau. We recognise that it takes a collective effort to achieve success, and we thrive on fostering a culture of collaboration to drive innovation and embracing challenges as a united team. We are committed to supporting our people, and to positively impact the lives of South Islanders every day.