Leading Hand

Downer; Manawatū-Whanganui; On-site; NZD 70,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Full-time hours

Penalty rates on weekend/night shifts

Health care benefits

Tools of trade provided

Progression opportunities

Monthly pie and hot drink

Job summary

Downer Whanganui is seeking a proactive Leading Hand to support the Foreman in delivering high‑quality civil construction and drainage projects. You will lead a crew on site, coordinate daily operations, and ensure work is carried out safely and efficiently.

You will oversee concrete construction tasks, mentor crew members, manage resources, and maintain site records, while building strong relationships with clients and subcontractors.

Qualifications

• Full Class 1 NZ Driver Licence is required.
• Experience leading or mentoring crews in civil construction.
• Strong knowledge of health, safety, quality and environmental requirements.
• Excellent communication and organisational skills.
• Ability to motivate a team and build positive working relationships.
• Strong work ethic and commitment to delivering quality outcomes.

Responsibilities

• Lead and coordinate day-to-day site activities.
• Plan work tasks and allocate resources effectively.
• Support and mentor crew members on site.
• Monitor productivity, quality and safety performance.
• Ensure efficient use of materials, plant and equipment.
• Maintain accurate site records and documentation.
• Build positive relationships with clients, subcontractors and local stakeholders.
• Promote and lead a strong Zero Harm culture across the team.
• Identify opportunities for continuous improvement and operational excellence.

Skills

Driver Licence NZ

Crew leadership

HSE knowledge

Communication skills

Team motivation

Work ethic

Job description

Ready to take the next step in your civil construction career? Join Downer as a Leading Hand in Whanganui!

At Downer we plan, create and sustain. Downer is the leading provider of integrated services in Australia and New Zealand. Through trusted relationships and world leading insight we work closely with our customers to design, build and sustain assets, infrastructure, and facilities.

Why you will enjoy working here | Ko te take ka parekareka e koe ki te mahi ki kōnei

Downer is committed to delivering excellence by ensuring our people have the environment and the means to be successful. We offer: [

• Guaranteed full-time hours plus penal rates on weekend and night shifts
• Time and a half after 45 hours
• Free access to Marram health care benefits and discounted holiday homes
• All the tools of trade you need to do your job
• Progression and development opportunities, including our inspiring leaders programme for top performers
• A free pie and hot drink at Z each month

The Opportunity | Te kōwhiringa

Joining our Transport & Infrastructure team in Whanganui, you\'ll play a key leadership role supporting the Foreman to deliver high-quality civil construction and drainage projects. As a hands-on Leading Hand, you\'ll work alongside your crew while helping coordinate daily operations, mentor team members, and ensure work is delivered safely, efficiently, and to a high standard.

You will carry out concrete construction and repairs within the maintenance, civils and construction department on a day-to-day basis as part of a dedicated crew. You will be responsible for:

• Leading and coordinating day-to-day site activities
• Planning work tasks and allocating resources effectively
• Supporting and mentoring crew members on site
• Monitoring productivity, quality, and safety performance
• Ensuring efficient use of materials, plant, and equipment
• Maintaining accurate site records and documentation
• Building positive relationships with clients, subcontractors, and local stakeholders
• Promoting and leading a strong Zero Harm culture across the team
• Identifying opportunities for continuous improvement and operational excellence

Experience in the civil contracting industry and a great eye for finishing concrete will serve you well in this role. You will hold your work to high standards and be familiar with concrete and form work as well as working with exposed concrete. You will be a team player with an organized, systematic and good-humoured approach. We'd value your confidence to communicate well with your crew and add value with your expertise in the field. Flexibility with regards to your availability and work location is also beneficial.

This role is ideal for someone who enjoys leading from the front, developing others, and taking pride in delivering great outcomes for customers and communities.

Important Skills | Ngā pūkenga matua

Along with a positive attitude and commitment to safe work practices, we are looking for someone who has:

• Full Class 1 NZ Driver Licence
• Proven experience leading or mentoring crews in a civil construction environment
• Strong understanding of health, safety, quality, and environmental requirements
• Excellent communication and organisational skills
• The ability to motivate a team and build positive working relationships
• A strong work ethic and commitment to delivering quality outcomes

Highly desirable:

• Class 2, 4 and/or WTR endorsements
• Experience working in drainage, roading, or civil infrastructure projects
• Experience operating civil construction plant and equipment

Downer Group is an employer that acknowledges and embraces the importance of our people\'s diverse experiences, talents, and cultures. As an inclusive employer, we welcome applications from everyone.