Logistics Manager

AssessAdvantage; New Plymouth; On-site; NZD 70,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Symons Group in New Zealand is seeking a hands-on Logistics Manager to lead day-to-day transport operations, drivers, rosters, and customer requirements while maintaining safety and compliance. You will think ahead, solve problems, and drive outcomes with your team.

You’ll work across Operations, Fleet, HSEQ, and the wider business, coaching your people, monitoring performance, and building strong relationships with customers to ensure commitments are delivered.

Qualifications

• Proven experience leading people in an operational transport/logistics environment.
• Ownership and follow-through to deliver outcomes.
• Ability to make decisions and exercise good judgment under pressure.
• Strong planning and organisational skills with ability to manage competing priorities.
• Hands-on approach with understanding of busy transport operations.
• Strong people skills and ability to build trust and accountability within a team.
• Confidence to have direct conversations when standards aren’t met.
• Ability to work with people who may challenge decisions and to challenge others when required.
• Excellent communication with drivers, customers, and the wider business.
• Genuine interest in developing leadership capability and the team around you.
• Exceptional computer skills and confidence with technology; experience with transportation management systems.
• Strong commitment to safety, compliance, customer service, and operational performance.

Responsibilities

• Lead the day-to-day logistics and dispatch operation.
• Take ownership of driver allocation, rostering, and operational planning.
• Balance customer requirements with drivers’ wellbeing, safety, and capacity.
• Be a key contact for drivers and customers; resolve issues with practical solutions.
• Collaborate with Operations, Fleet, HSEQ, and the wider business to keep the operation running.
• Monitor performance and take action when standards or outcomes aren’t met.
• Manage compliance, including driver hours, fatigue management, and transport regulations.
• Coach and develop the team; build capability, accountability, and confidence.
• Identify opportunities to improve systems and processes.
• Follow problems through to resolution and not pass them on.
• Build strong relationships with customers to ensure commitments are delivered.

Skills

People leadership

Operational planning

Decision making

Safety & compliance

Communication

Stakeholder management

Team development

Problem solving

Technology proficiency

Customer service

Tools

Transportation management systems

Job description

Jora New Zealand will close on 16th September 2026. Thank you for being with us, we are cheering you on as you continue your career journey.

AssessAdvantage – Bell Block, North Island

At Symons Group, operational leadership isn't about simply keeping trucks moving - it's about taking ownership, making good decisions, and leading people to deliver the right outcomes.

We're looking for a Logistics Manager who can lead people and take ownership of a busy transport operation.

This is a hands-on leadership role for someone who is comfortable with the details of the operation, but who can also step back, see what's coming, and make sure the team is prepared for it.

You’ll be responsible for the day-to-day performance of the logistics operation, including drivers, rosters, customer requirements, and the decisions that keep the operation moving.

This role is accountable for outcomes, not just activity.

The Role

Reporting to the Group Operations Manager, you’ll take ownership of the day-to-day running of the logistics team.

You’ll be responsible for making sure we have the right people, trucks, and resources in the right place to meet our customers’ requirements, while maintaining high standards of safety, compliance, and driver wellbeing.

You’ll be a key point of contact for drivers and customers and will need to be comfortable dealing with problems as they arise.

This role is not about simply reacting to what’s happening.

We want someone who thinks ahead, identifies problems early, and takes action before they become bigger issues.

You’ll need to make decisions, take ownership of those decisions, and follow issues through to resolution.

What the Role involves

You will

• Lead the day-to-day logistics and dispatch operation.
• Take ownership of driver allocation, rostering, and operational planning.
• Balance customer requirements with drivers’ wellbeing, safety, and operational capacity.
• Be a key point of contact for drivers and customers, dealing with issues and finding practical solutions.
• Work closely with Operations, Fleet, HSEQ, and the wider business to keep the operation running effectively.
• Monitor operational performance and take action where standards or outcomes are not being met.
• Manage compliance requirements, including driver hours, fatigue management, and transport regulations.
• Coach and develop your team, build capability, accountability, and confidence.
• Identify opportunities to improve systems, processes, and the way we operate.
• Follow problems through to resolution rather than passing them on.
• Build strong working relationships with customers and ensure commitments are delivered.

This Role is not

• A roster-filling or dispatch administration role.
• A position where problems are simply passed up the chain.
• A role where operational issues can sit unresolved.
• A position focused on managing from an office and being removed from the reality of the operation.
• A role where being busy is confused with delivering results.

This is a hands-on operational leadership position. You’ll need to be comfortable getting into the details, when required, while also developing your team so that you’re not the only person who can solve the problem.

About You

• Proven experience leading people in an operational environment in transport and logistics
• The ability to take ownership and follow things through to an outcome.
• Confidence in making decisions and using good judgement when under pressure.
• Strong planning and organisational skills, with the ability to think ahead and manage competing priorities.
• A practical, hands‑on approach and an understanding of the realities of a busy transport operation.
• Strong people skills and the ability to build trust, accountability, and capability within a team.
• The confidence to have direct conversations when expectations or standards aren’t being met.
• The ability to work constructively with people who may challenge your decisions – and the confidence to challenge others when required.
• Strong communication skills and the ability to build effective relationships with drivers, customers, and the wider business.
• A genuine interest in developing your own leadership capability and the people around you.
• Exceptional computer skills and confidence with technology, experienced in using transportation management systems.
• A strong commitment to safety, compliance, customer service, and operational performance.

Support and Leadership

You’ll be part of the wider Symons leadership team and will work closely with Operations, Fleet, HSEQ, People & Performance, and Training & Capability.

You won’t be expected to solve every issue yourself.

Your responsibility is to lead your team, own the operation, and know when to bring the right people into the conversation.

What matters most in this role is your ability to lead, make decisions, take ownership, and deliver outcomes.

On-call Requirement

Transport is not limited to office hours. This role includes an agreed level of evening and weekend on-call support, and you’ll need to be comfortable providing leadership when the operation requires it.

Why join the team at Symons?

With a passion for trucks, Graham Symons established Symons Transport in 1984, based in Taranaki. From a small farm shed and one truck, we have now grown into one of the leaders in our industry here in New Zealand and are working for some of the country's most reputable companies.

As Symons Group grows, we have developed services that deliver a “one-stop-shop” solution. This encompasses four successful business units: Transport, Property, Warehousing, and Waste Remediation Services. As such, we can provide an integrated supply chain to our clients, tailored to their business requirements.

And what has made us successful and continues to drive our growth? Simple. Our people.

Please note: Applicants must have valid NZ residency or work visa status to be considered.

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