Operations Manager

Switch Lighting; Nelson; On-site; NZD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Switch Lighting, based in Nelson, New Zealand, invites a senior Operations Manager to oversee production, supply chain and customer service. The role partners with R&D to transition new products into scalable production, while driving Lean improvements and safety across operations.

You will lead multi-layered teams, manage inventory and procurement, and ensure delivery performance aligns with business objectives. A degree in a relevant field is preferred.

Qualifications

• Proven experience in a senior operations leadership role within manufacturing or production-based environments.
• Experience leading multi-layered teams.
• Strong understanding of production planning and logistics.
• Lean methodology experience with practical application to streamline processes.
• Strategic mindset translating strategy into execution.
• Ability to work with R&D to translate designs into robust production.
• Commercial awareness relating to cost control and stock management.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership across production, supply chain and customer service, ensuring alignment with Switch Lighting's objectives.
• Set clear operational priorities, performance expectations and accountability frameworks.
• Oversee production planning and capacity with the Production Team Leader.
• Monitor production performance, capacity utilisation and delivery outcomes.
• Oversee warehousing, inventory and procurement processes.
• Lead the Customer Service Team to ensure high standards of order processing and issue resolution.
• Lead transition of new products from R&D into production with a focus on scalability.
• Drive continuous improvement using Lean across operations.
• Lead health and safety with proactive risk management.
• Coach and develop direct reports to build strong second-tier leadership.

Skills

Senior leadership

Lean methodology

Production planning

Supply chain

ERP systems

Cross-functional collaboration

Strategic thinking

Education

Degree in Operations Management or Engineering

Tools

ERP systems

Job description

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The Operations Manager is a senior leadership role, based in Nelson, responsible for the strategic oversight and performance of Switch Lighting's operational functions – including production, supply chain, and customer service. This role provides direction, structure and accountability across operations, ensuring teams are aligned, resourced and performing effectively. While supported by experienced functional leaders, the Operations Manager retains overall responsibility for operational outcomes, quality, delivery performance and continuous improvement. The role works closely with the R&D team to ensure the seamless transition of new products from development into production, supporting scalability, manufacturability and long-term operational success.

Key responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership across production, supply chain and customer service, ensuring alignment with Switch Lighting's business objectives.
• Set clear operational priorities, performance expectations and accountability frameworks.
• Oversee production and production planning through the Production Team Leader, ensuring production plans are aligned with demand, capacity and resource availability.
• Monitor production performance, capacity utilisation and delivery outcomes.
• Provide strategic oversight of warehousing, inventory and procurement processes.
• Directly lead and manage the Customer Service Team, ensuring a consistently high standard of customer communication, order processing and issue resolution.
• Act as the operational lead for transitioning new products from R&D into production, partnering closely with R&D to ensure production readiness and capability.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives across all operational areas, applying Lean methodology where relevant.
• Lead the health and safety team to ensure proactive risk management and accountability.
• Lead, coach and develop direct reports to ensure strong second-tier leadership.

About you

• Proven experience in a senior operations leadership role within manufacturing or production-based environments.
• Experience leading multi-layered teams.
• Strong understanding of production planning and logistics.
• Experience in Lean methodology preferred – practical application of Lean tools and principles to streamline processes and eliminate waste.
• Strategic mindset with the ability to translate strategy into execution through others.
• Ability to work closely with R&D and engineering to translate approved designs into robust production processes, identifying manufacturing risks, resolving technical issues, and ensuring products are built consistently to specification.
• Technical mindset with the confidence to challenge and improve manufacturing methods while understanding when proposed changes could affect product performance, quality, compliance, or require engineering approval.
• Strong commercial acumen relating to cost control, stock management and operational efficiency.
• Experience with ERP systems and operational reporting.
• Degree level qualification in a relevant field such as Operations Management, Business Administration or Engineering is preferred, but not essential with equivalent experience.

About us

Switch Lighting is an award-winning business, recognised for our world-renowned architectural LED lighting products that are designed, engineered, and assembled in Nelson, New Zealand. Our high-achieving team of dynamic lighting professionals are dedicated to enhancing New Zealand homes with the latest architectural lighting products and smart lighting solutions. At Switch Lighting, our staff are valued and rewarded, and you'll be joining a close-knit team of motivated individuals who are passionate about creating innovative lighting designs and solutions for our valued clientele.