HR Business Partner

Ritchies Transport; Waitakere Ranges; On-site; NZD 95,000 - 135,000; Full time

Job summary

Ritchies Transport in New Zealand is seeking an experienced HR Business Partner to join our national People, Safety & Culture team. You’ll partner with leaders to deliver strategic HR solutions that support business performance, capability development and a positive workplace culture.

Based in Auckland or Christchurch, you’ll lead change initiatives, workforce planning, remuneration reviews and industrial relations, while guiding managers through complex HR matters with integrity and

Qualifications

• Must hold a relevant HR qualification.
• Experience as HR Business Partner or senior HR advisor.
• Strong employment and industrial relations experience.
• Experience with organisational change and remuneration frameworks.
• Experience with unions and collective bargaining.
• Excellent stakeholder engagement and relationship-building.
• Ability to influence leaders and navigate complex situations.
• Strong organisational skills and ability to manage competing priorities.
• High integrity, discretion and professionalism.

Responsibilities

• Partner with managers to provide practical and strategic HR guidance.
• Lead and support organisational change initiatives.
• Drive workforce planning and talent strategies.
• Manage ER/IR matters, including disciplinary processes and investigations.
• Support remuneration reviews and organisational design.
• Contribute to collective bargaining and union engagement.
• Lead HR projects that strengthen capability, culture and performance.
• Champion best-practice people processes and compliance.
• Promote a strong health, safety and wellbeing culture.

Skills

HR qualification

Business Partner

Employment relations

Industrial relations

Organisational change

Remuneration frameworks

Union engagement

Stakeholder engagement

Influencing leaders

Prioritisation

Education

Relevant HR qualification

Job description

The Opportunity

Are you a commercially minded HR professional who thrives on partnering with leaders, influencing change, and making a real impact? We are looking for an experienced HR Business Partner to join our national People, Safety & Culture team and help drive organisational success across one of New Zealand's leading transport operators.

Reporting to the Director of People, Safety and Culture, you'll work closely with operational and executive leaders to deliver both strategic and hands‑on HR solutions that support business performance, capability development and positive workplace culture.

We are open to applications from candidates based in Auckland or Christchurch (Philipstown).

About Ritchies

Ritchies is one of Aotearoa New Zealand's largest and most trusted transport providers, employing more than 3,000 people across the country. We deliver essential public transport, school services, charter operations and coach travel that connect communities every day.

We are also on an exciting journey. As we continue to grow, we're investing in our people, transitioning to lower‑emission transport solutions, and helping shape a more sustainable future for public transport in New Zealand.

What You'll Be Doing

As a trusted advisor to leaders across the business, you will:

• Partner with managers to provide practical and strategic HR guidance
• Lead and support organisational change initiatives
• Drive workforce planning and talent strategies
• Manage ER and IR matters, including disciplinary processes and investigations
• Support remuneration reviews and organisational design initiatives
• Contribute to collective bargaining and union engagement
• Lead HR projects that strengthen capability, culture and performance
• Champion best‑practice people processes and compliance
• Promote a strong health, safety and wellbeing culture

About You

You will be an experienced HR practitioner who enjoys balancing strategic thinking with hands‑on delivery.

You will bring:

• A relevant HR qualification
• Proven experience in a Business Partner or senior HR advisory role
• Strong employment relations and industrial relations experience
• Exposure to organisational change, workforce planning and remuneration frameworks
• Experience working with unions and collective bargaining processes
• Excellent stakeholder engagement and relationship‑building skills
• The ability to influence leaders and navigate complex situations with confidence
• Strong organisational skills and the ability to manage competing priorities
• High levels of integrity, discretion and professionalism

Why Join Us?

At Ritchies, you'll enjoy the opportunity to contribute to meaningful organisational change while being supported by a collaborative and experienced leadership team.

We offer:

• A key role with genuine influence across the business
• Supportive leadership and a collaborative team environment
• Ongoing professional development opportunities
• The chance to work for an essential New Zealand business
• Access to Sonder wellbeing support for you and your family
• The opportunity to help shape the future of a growing national organisation

Join Team Ritchies

Ready to bring your HR expertise to a business that's going places? Join a company investing in its people, its communities and the future of transport in New Zealand.