Operations Manager

Force1 Traffic Limited; Christchurch; On-site; NZD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Company vehicle

Phone and laptop

KiwiSaver

Christchurch-based role

Job summary

Force1 Traffic Limited in Christchurch is seeking a commercially driven, hands-on Operations Manager to own day-to-day operations and drive growth. You will lead the team, balance client needs with operational performance, and expand into new regions while ensuring safety and profitability.

Join a Canterbury-based labour-hire business with an established workforce and close collaboration with Directors to shape the next phase of the company\'s success.

Qualifications

• Proven ability to generate new business and win clients.
• Strong commercial instincts and financial understanding.
• Confident, practical and proactive leadership.
• Experience leading teams and holding people accountable.
• Sound Health & Safety knowledge.

Responsibilities

• Take ownership of the day-to-day operations and performance of Force1.
• Lead the team, set clear expectations and create accountability.
• Actively identify, approach and win new clients.
• Build a strong pipeline of new business opportunities.
• Strengthen and grow relationships across civil, infrastructure and other sectors.
• Identify opportunities to expand Force1 into additional areas of labour hire and new regions.
• Drive workforce utilisation, operational performance and high levels of client service.
• Work closely with our Recruitment & Client Relationship Manager to ensure workforce capability aligns with client demand and growth.
• Oversee Health & Safety systems and client compliance requirements.
• Understand and manage revenue, margins, labour costs, pricing and client profitability.
• Ensure growth is commercially sound and sustainable.
• Collaborate with Directors and provide clear reporting on day-to-day decisions.

Skills

Leadership

Business development

Financial acumen

Health & Safety

Client relationship

Job description

Force1 Traffic Limited – Christchurch, South Island

Force1 Traffic is looking for a commercially driven, hands‑on Operations Manager to take ownership of the day‑to‑day operations of the business and help drive our next stage of growth.

As our Directors step back from daily operations to focus on ownership, governance and strategy, you'll be trusted with genuine responsibility for our people, operational performance, clients and growth.

You'll be supported by an established Recruitment & Client Relationship Manager, administration systems and an experienced field workforce.

This isn't a role for someone who simply wants to maintain what's already there. We're looking for someone who can see opportunity, create it and turn it into sustainable growth.

What you'll be responsible for

• Take ownership of the day‑to‑day operations and performance of Force1

• Lead the team, set clear expectations and create accountability

• Actively identify, approach and win new clients

• Build a strong pipeline of new business opportunities

• Strengthen and grow relationships across civil, infrastructure and other sectors

• Identify opportunities to expand Force1 into additional areas of labour hire and new regions

• Drive workforce utilisation, operational performance and high levels of client service

• Work closely with our Recruitment & Client Relationship Manager to ensure workforce capability aligns with client demand and growth

• Strengthen and oversee Force1's Health & Safety systems, ensuring they are practical, effective and properly implemented

• Oversee competency, training, incidents, corrective actions and client compliance requirements

• Understand and manage revenue, margins, labour costs, pricing and client profitability

• Ensure growth is commercially sound and sustainable

• Work closely with the Directors, providing clear reporting while confidently managing day‑to‑day business decisions

About you

We're less interested in a particular job title and more interested in what you've achieved.

• A proven ability to generate new business and win clients

• Strong commercial instincts and financial understanding

• Confident, practical and proactive leadership

• Experience leading teams and holding people accountable

• Sound Health & Safety knowledge

• Strong relationship‑building and negotiation skills

• The ability to spot opportunities and turn ideas into action

• The confidence to make decisions and take genuine ownership

• A hands‑on approach – you're equally comfortable talking strategy with the Directors, meeting a prospective client or working through an operational issue with the team

Experience within traffic management, civil construction, infrastructure, labour hire or a related industry would be valuable, but commercial drive, leadership ability and the right mindset are just as important to us.

About Force1

Force1 Traffic is a Canterbury-based labour‑hire business currently specialising in Temporary Traffic Management.

We've built an established workforce and strong relationships across the civil and infrastructure sectors. Now we're ready for the next stage – growing our existing business, developing new client relationships and expanding into additional areas of labour hire.

For the right person, this is an opportunity to come into an established business with strong foundations and have a real say in where it goes next.

What we offer

• Key leadership role with genuine autonomy

• Direct access to and support from the Directors

• Opportunity to shape the future direction of the business

• Company vehicle with reasonable private use

• Phone and laptop

• KiwiSaver

• Christchurch-based role