Manufacturing Operations Leader - Converting & CI

Essity; Kawerau District; On-site; NZD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

Essity Kawerau is seeking an Operations Manager to lead Converting operations and drive safe, efficient production with a strong emphasis on continuous improvement. You will translate priorities into clear goals for ~90 staff and operational leaders, shaping long-term site strategy while collaborating across functions.

You will deliver annual operating plans, develop leaders, manage performance data, and ensure on-spec, on-time delivery at target costs.

Qualifications

• Engineering qualification required.
• “10 years” line management experience in a high-volume, complex manufacturing environment.
• Experience leading leaders and operational teams in a multi-shift manufacturing setting.
• Proven track record delivering improvements in safety, quality, productivity, efficiency and cost.
• Experience implementing or embedding significant operational or organizational change.
• Understanding of continuous improvement methodologies and manufacturing excellence.
• Strong commercial judgement and ability to translate business objectives into operational priorities.
• Ability to build trusted relationships and influence across functions.
• Commitment to coaching and developing others.

Responsibilities

• Lead health, safety and environmental culture on the factory floor with visible leadership.
• Deliver the Converting annual business plan across production, quality, cost, efficiency and reliability.
• Coach and develop Resource Support and Shift/Line leadership teams, building capability at all levels.
• Create a high-performing, team-based culture with clear priorities and accountability for improvements.
• Champion continuous improvement to reduce losses, waste and downtime.
• Monitor performance and use data to identify gaps and opportunities.
• Collaborate with maintenance, supply chain, quality and paper manufacturing to optimise end-to-end performance.
• Support maintenance strategies and capital projects within Converting.
• Ensure safe, on-time delivery to specification and cost targets.
• Build relationships across site and wider business to consider upstream/downstream impacts.
• Contribute to Kawerau site's medium- to longer-term strategy.

Skills

Leadership

Coaching

Continuous improvement

Data-driven decisions

Cross-functional collaboration

Strategic thinking

Education

Engineering degree

Tools

SAP

Job description

Essity Kawerau is seeking an Operations Manager to lead Converting operations and drive safe, efficient production with a strong emphasis on continuous improvement. You will translate priorities into clear goals for ~90 staff and operational leaders, shaping long-term site strategy while collaborating across functions.

You will deliver annual operating plans, develop leaders, manage performance data, and ensure on-spec, on-time delivery at target costs.