Operations Manager

Veolia; Wellington; On-site; NZD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive remuneration

Great team environment

Growth opportunities

Stable employment

Meaningful work

EAP program

Job summary

Veolia New Zealand is seeking an experienced Operations Manager to lead the Whanganui / South Taranaki water and wastewater contract. You will manage a capable team, drive continuous improvement, ensure safe and efficient service delivery, and meet KPIs and SHEQ standards.

This hands-on leadership role combines strategic thinking with day-to-day operations, including client relations, team development, and commercial outcomes, contributing to community well-being.

Qualifications

• Proven management experience, ideally in water and wastewater infrastructure.
• Level 4 National Certificate or equivalent (Level 5 advantageous).
• Current Class 2 driver’s licence and willingness to participate in after-hours on-call roster.
• Strong communication, commercial and problem-solving skills; knowledge of NZ H&S legislation and ISO standards.

Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end operational management and service delivery for the Whanganui / South Taranaki water and wastewater contract.
• Drive a culture of continuous improvement while meeting contractual KPIs and SHEQ standards.
• Build and maintain client relationships and engage with councils and stakeholders.
• Oversee RFS from initiation to completion; ensure live logging of jobs and equipment utilisation.
• Promote Veolia’s brand and collaborate with regional teams.

Skills

Management experience

Communication

Problem solving

Class 2 licence

On-call roster

ISO 9001/ISO 14001 knowledge

Leadership

Education

Level 4 National Certificate

Level 5 advantageous

Tools

Infoasset

Job description

Lead. Inspire. Deliver.
Are you an experienced operations leader ready to make a real difference in the communities you serve? Veolia New Zealand is looking for a dynamic and driven Operations Manager to lead our Whanganui / South Taranaki contract — a critical role at the heart of essential water and wastewater services for the region.

This is your opportunity to join a global environmental services leader and take ownership of a high-impact contract, leading a talented team while delivering outstanding outcomes for our clients, communities, and the environment.

Company description:

Veolia Environmental Services

Job description:

The Opportunity

Lead. Inspire. Deliver.
Are you an experienced operations leader ready to make a real difference in the communities you serve? Veolia New Zealand is looking for a dynamic and driven Operations Manager to lead our Whanganui / South Taranaki contract — a critical role at the heart of essential water and wastewater services for the region.

This is your opportunity to join a global environmental services leader and take ownership of a high-impact contract, leading a talented team while delivering outstanding outcomes for our clients, communities, and the environment.

What's on offer

• Competitive remuneration
• A great team focused working environment
• Opportunities for professional growth and development
• Stable employment with a reputable, world leading, 3 waters Network focused organisation
• Meaningful work that contributes to the well-being of our community and keeps the cogs of society turning.
• Employee Assistance Programs (EAP) through assure which covers mental health, nutrition, financial, legal, coaching and career transition support

What you'll be responsible for

Reporting to the Regional Lead, you'll take ownership of the end-to-end operational management and service delivery of our Whanganui / South Taranaki water and wastewater contract. You'll lead a capable team, drive a culture of continuous improvement, and ensure all services are delivered safely, efficiently, and in line with contractual KPIs and Veolia's SHEQ standards.

This is a hands-on leadership role that blends strategic thinking with day-to-day operational delivery — managing water and wastewater network operations, building strong client relationships, developing your team, and ensuring commercial and compliance outcomes are consistently achieved.

You'll also play a key role in promoting the Veolia brand across the region, collaborating with councils, water service entities, and community stakeholders to deliver meaningful environmental and community outcomes.

Leadership & People

• Lead, mentor, and develop a high-performing operations team
• Foster a culture of open communication, inclusivity, innovation, and continuous improvement
• Identify and support future leaders within the business

Operational Delivery

• Oversee all Requests for Service (RFS) from initiation through to completion
• Ensure operators are logging jobs live and on time, with KPIs consistently met
• Manage stock levels, plant and equipment utilisation, and day-to-day operational requirements
• Support CCTV and high-pressure water jetting operations, including data management via Infoasset
• Collaborate with Technical, Capital, and Projects teams to meet operational needs

Client & Stakeholder Engagement

• Build and maintain strong relationships with clients, councils, and community stakeholders
• Provide regular performance updates and assist with client reporting

Health, Safety & Compliance

• Champion a proactive H&S culture, leading ASIs, Rivos, and toolbox meetings
• Conduct regular audits and performance reviews to ensure regulatory and contractual compliance
• Ensure adherence to Veolia's SHEQ policies, ISO 9001, ISO 14001, and NZ health and safety legislation

Commercial Management

• Drive profitability, sustainability, and compliance outcomes across the contract
• Review resource and equipment utilisation to ensure operational efficiency

What you'll need to be successful

• Proven management experience, ideally in water and wastewater infrastructure
• Level 4 National Certificate or equivalent (Level 5 advantageous)
• Strong communication, commercial, and problem-solving skills
• Current Class 2 driver's licence
• Willingness to participate in an after-hours on-call roster
• Understanding of ISO 9001, ISO 14001, and NZ Health and Safety legislation
• A natural leader who leads by example and brings out the best in those around them
• A calm and composed approach under pressure with the ability to adapt quickly to changing circumstances
• High level of personal integrity and confidence in your own judgement
• Self-motivated and enthusiastic with a genuine commitment to delivering quality outcomes for your team, clients, and community

Why Veolia?

At Veolia Australia and New Zealand, you'll join a team of over 6500 passionate innovators... and good humans. Our environmental solutions help customers preserve and renew our natural resources, creating a better future for our planet. Here, you'll have the opportunity to build your career, and resource the world.

If you can tick most of the boxes and are keen to contribute to Veolia's ecological transformation.

THIS STEP IS IMPORTANT
To apply for this vacancy you MUST be a New Zealand citizen, resident, or have already secured the right to work in New Zealand and therefore hold a valid visa.

Fairness, Diversity & Inclusion

At Veolia we value diversity, equality and inclusion, we are committed to providing working environments where everyone is included and treated fairly and with respect. We welcome applications from Maori and Pasifika, Veterans, people with disability, mature age and early careers, members of the LGBTI+ community and people from all cultural backgrounds.