North Island Transport Project Manager

Primary Connect; Auckland; Hybrid; NZD 120,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

The North Island Transport Project Manager will lead the end-to-end operational implementation and transition of the NI Store Delivery Transport Tender, managing a multi-carrier ecosystem across six distribution centers and seven regional store bundles.

This 11-month contract requires strong project management, stakeholder negotiation, and governance alignment with Woolworths Group frameworks; the role offers a flexible hybrid work arrangement in Auckland.

Qualifications

• Proven track record delivering large-scale transport or logistics projects.
• Experience managing multi-carrier transport and vendor alliances.
• Strong understanding of transport contracts and TMS.
• Excellent stakeholder, negotiation, and communications skills.
• Ability to plan long-term strategies and manage budgets.

Responsibilities

• Drive end-to-end transition roadmap from pre-launch to go-live.
• Establish governance, milestones, risk registers, and budgets.
• Lead cross-functional groups across Transport, DC Operations, IT, Commercial.
• Operationalise lead/non-lead carrier models across DCs.
• Coordinate carrier capacity and backhaul optimisation.
• Manage handovers between locations and ensure safety standards.

Skills

Project management

Multicarrier transport management

Stakeholder management

Negotiation skills

Communication skills

Job description

## North Island Transport Project ManagerReq ID118813Date posted23-Oct-2026BrandPrimary ConnectTeamSupply ChainEmployment typeFixed-term Full-timeLocationAuckland, 2024* Lead 11 month North Island transport transition* Drive and execute full end-to-end operational project delivery* Flexible hybrid role**Working with Primary Connect | Te Mahi ki Primary Connect**With over 185 stores and 20,000 team members across Aotearoa, we've made it our mission to make Kiwi lives a little better every day.We're friendly, down-to-earth, and energetic - we work hard but we have a great time doing it, and we love what we do. There is plenty of scope for new ideas, lots of room for you to add value, and importantly, you'll be working with a business that touches the lives of three million New Zealanders a week.We embrace diversity of thought and love to take on challenges with a pragmatic and innovative approach. Our culture thrives on mutual respect, care, curiosity, openness, and a proactive attitude. We continually seek ways to pair, collaborate, support, and learn from each other as a team!**About the Role | Mō te Tūranga]**The Primary Connect North Island Project Manager (11-Month Contract) will lead the end-to-end operational implementation and transition of the North Island (NI) Store Delivery Transport Tender. Managing a multi-carrier ecosystem across four primary carrier partners (Linfox,Mainfreight, Halls, and Weatherell Transport), the role is responsible for executing network operational changes across six distribution centers (ARDC, ANDC, AFDC, Americold AKL,PNRDC, Americold PNTH) and seven regional store bundles.**What you’ll do*** Drive, manage, and lead the 11 month transition roadmap from pre launch readiness through go live and operational stabilisation* Establish clear project governance, milestone tracking, risk registers, and budget oversight in alignment with the Woolworths Project Management Framework* Lead cross-functional working groups across Transport, DC Operations, IT, Commercial, Supply Chain, and Store Support Hub.* Operationalise the Lead Carrier & Non-Lead Carrier model across all DC’s inline with all operational requirements and as outlined in Schedule 13* Implement Bundle 5.1 and 5.2 Looped Trucking models (Auckland–Napier/Hastings and Auckland–PN–Napier) to maximise fleet utilisation.* Manage operational mechanics for Halls backhaul capacity buy-backs to eliminate latent truck volume.* Facilitate seamless point-of-supply shifts between Auckland and Palmerston North for ambient and temperature-controlled freight.* Work with PC+ to set this up and refine processes for handover* Align all carriers with all all H&S processes, procedures, and fleet requirements**What you’ll bring*** Project management experience, with a proven track record of delivering large-scale, complex projects in logistics, supply chain, or retail/FMCG environments.* Demonstrable experience managing multi-vendor or multi-carrier transport and logistics projects.* Strong understanding of transport contracts, operational procedures, and transport management systems* Excellent stakeholder management, negotiation, and communication skills, with the ability to manage competing priorities across internal and external partners* Excellent communication, planning, and organisational skills* Strategic outlook with the ability to think and plan ahead to the medium - long term* Excellent commercial and analytical acumen* Familiarity with the Woolworths project management framework and governance standards is preferred.**Endless possibilities with Woolworths Group**We’re a proud part of the Woolworths Group – 200,000+ bright minds, passionate hearts and unique perspectives working together connected by a shared Purpose – ‘to create better experiences together for a better tomorrow.’Here you’ll be supported and empowered to explore new ideas, make brave commitments and innovate better ways to meet the food and everyday needs of more than 24 million customers every week. Backed by a culture of genuine care, a flexible approach to work and the support to grow your career and make a meaningful impact, the possibilities for what we can achieve together are endless.**Everyone belongs at Woolworths Group**Diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging are key to realising our purpose of better together for a better tomorrow. We recognise the value our team’s diversity brings to our business, customers, and communities and that teams with diverse experiences and backgrounds enrich our group and are better able to innovate and solve problems. As one of the largest employers in Australia and New Zealand, we aim to create a truly inclusive workplace where everyone feels that they belong, can be their best selves, and reach their full potential.We encourage all candidates to apply; please let us know in your application if we can support you with any adjustments in the hiring process.Platinum Tier Employer - Australian Workplace Equality Index for LGBTQ+ inclusionEmployer of Choice for Gender Equality - Workplace Gender Equality Agency.