Operations Supervisor

JobSpace; Waipawa; On-site; NZD 80,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Downer in Hawke's Bay seeks an Operations Supervisor based in Waipawa to lead maintenance crews and ensure safe, on‑time delivery of projects. You will work with the Operations Manager to balance planning, resource allocation and stakeholder engagement while maintaining a strong safety focus.

The role emphasizes hands‑on leadership, coaching and development of teams, with a clear path to improving project outcomes and client satisfaction across the region.

Qualifications

• Proven experience leading operational or maintenance teams.
• Strong leadership skills with the ability to motivate and develop others.
• Experience coordinating crews, subcontractors and resources.
• Sound knowledge of health, safety and environmental requirements.
• Ability to make decisions, solve problems and adapt to changing priorities.

Responsibilities

• Lead, motivate and mentor operational crews.
• Support training, coaching and development of employees.
• Ensure works are completed on time, within budget and to specification.
• Coordinate labour, plant, materials and subcontractors to ensure efficient delivery.
• Support project planning, methodology development and programme delivery.
• Champion and lead a strong Zero Harm culture.

Skills

Leadership

People development

Stakeholder engagement

Safety culture

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.

Downer is the leading provider of integrated services in Australia and New Zealand. Through trusted relationships and world leading insight we work closely with our customers to design, build and sustain assets, infrastructure, and facilities.

Downer's Transport & Infrastructure business manages and maintains road networks across Australia and New Zealand, with civil and commercial construction in New Zealand. We are an integrated trans-Tasman team with a leading portfolio of products and services. By sharing our capabilities and insights across our regions we achieve the best technical solutions for our customers' challenges, and for our communities.

We are looking for an Operations Supervisor to join our Hawke's Bay team, based in Waipawa, where you'll play a key role in leading crews. Delivering maintenance works, and ensuring projects are completed safely, efficiently, and to a high standard.

This is an excellent opportunity for someone who enjoys developing people, building strong client relationships, and driving operational performance while working in one of New Zealand's most desirable regions.

As an Operations Supervisor, you'll be responsible for the day to day leadership, coordination and support of operational crews delivering maintenance works across the region. You'll work closely with the Operations Manager and wider leadership team to ensure projects are delivered safely, on time, within budget and to the highest quality standards.

You'll be a hands on leader who can balance planning, resource management, stakeholder engagement and people development while maintaining a strong focus on safety and continuous improvement.

The key responsibilities in this role include:

• Lead, motivate and mentor operational crews
• Support training, coaching and development of employees
• Ensure works are completed on time, within budget and to specification
• Coordinate labour, plant, materials and subcontractors to ensure efficient delivery
• Support project planning, methodology development and programme delivery
• Champion and lead a strong Zero Harm culture

We're looking for someone who brings strong leadership capability, practical experience and genuine passion for delivering quality infrastructure projects.

You'll ideally have:

• Proven experience leading operational or maintenance teams
• Strong leadership skills with ability to motivate and develop others
• Experience coordinating crews, subcontractors and resources
• Sound knowledge of health, safety and environmental requirements
• Ability to make decisions, solve problems and adapt to changing priorities