Operations Director

Mahi.co.nz; Waikato; On-site; NZD 180,000 - 280,000; Full time

Job summary

Mānuka Health is seeking an exceptional Operations Director to join its Senior Executive Team in Te Awamutu, Waikato. You will translate strategic direction into operational execution across Supply Chain, Apiculture, Health & Safety, and Customer Service, delivering our world‑class Manuka honey products to customers worldwide.

You will champion continuous improvement, risk management, sustainability, and governance while building high‑performing teams and embedding a proactive safety culture.

Qualifications

• Proven experience in operational strategy development and execution at scale.
• Ability to translate strategic goals into practical plans and outcomes.
• Strong leadership, accountability, and cross-functional collaboration.
• Commitment to health & safety and sustainable practices.
• Experience building high-performing teams in a complex, vertically integrated business.

Responsibilities

• Translate strategic direction into operational execution across Supply Chain, Apiculture, Health & Safety, and Customer Service.
• Champion continuous improvement, risk management, and governance while ensuring commitments are delivered.
• Build high-performing teams that foster accountability, collaboration, and innovation.
• Drive environmentally sustainable practices aligned with company values.
• Act as executive owner of safety culture and protect employees, contractors, visitors, and customers.

Skills

Leadership

Strategic thinking

Cross-functional

Safety culture

Sustainability

Job description

Jora New Zealand will close on 9th September 2026. Thank you for being with us, we are cheering you on as you continue your career journey.

Lead, Innovate, and Inspire! Mānuka Health is on a mission to become the leading Mānuka honey company globally, powered by a high-performing team of passionate individuals and approximately 1.5 billion bees. At the heart of their success is a culture of care for people, products, communities, and the planet.

As part of their ambitious growth strategy, Mānuka Health is seeking an exceptionalOperations Director to join their Senior Executive Team. This pivotal role will lead operational functions across their vertically integrated business – from beekeeping and land management to extraction, processing, packing, testing, and delivering trusted New Zealand bee products to over 45 countries worldwide.

About the Role

AsOperations Director, you will:

• Translate strategic direction into operational execution across Supply Chain, Apiculture, Health & Safety, and Customer Service.
• Champion continuous improvement, risk management, and operational governance while ensuring customer commitments are consistently delivered.
• Build high-performing teams that foster accountability, collaboration, and innovation.
• Act as the executive owner of Health & Safety, embedding a proactive safety culture that protects employees, contractors, visitors, and customers.
• Drive environmentally sustainable practices aligned with Manuka Health’s values.

What You’ll Bring

The ideal candidate will be a visionary leader who:

• Leads with an enterprise mindset and builds trust through authentic leadership.
• Thrives in solving complex challenges collaboratively with cross-functional teams.
• Models accountability and inspires others to achieve results.
• Champions innovation and fosters a culture of learning.
• Has proven experience in operational strategy development and execution at scale.
• You’ll be part of a purpose-driven organisation committed to bettering people and the planet.
• You’ll work in a dynamic environment where your ideas matter and your leadership drives meaningful change.
• You’ll have the opportunity to grow professionally while contributing to New Zealand’s globally recognised Mānuka honey industry.

Location

This role is set to be based inTe Awamutu,Waikato,offering the chance to work in one of New Zealand’s most vibrant rural hubs while driving global impact.

Values

At Mānuka Health, we live by our values:

• Collaborate & Succeed Together
• Care Deeply
• Be Extraordinary

If you’re ready to take on this exciting challenge and help shape the future of Mānuka Health, we’d love to hear from you.