Planning & Coordination Centre Manager (Container Terminal)

KiwiRail Freight; Maungakiekie-Tāmaki; On-site; NZD 110,000 - 140,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary package

Leadership role in KiwiRail's freight

Influence terminal operations

Exposure to complex logistics

Staff benefits

Growth contribution to rail in NZ

Job summary

KiwiRail Freight, based at Onehunga Container Terminal in Auckland, is seeking a Planning & Coordination Centre Manager to lead the team coordinating container movements, storage and dispatch, driving performance and customer outcomes while ensuring safe, efficient freight movement.

The role requires operational leadership experience in freight, logistics or ports; responsibilities include workforce planning, rostering, stakeholder engagement and delivering improvements across terminal

Qualifications

• Experience leading operational teams in freight, logistics, ports, container terminals, warehousing or similar.
• Strong planning, coordination and problem-solving skills.
• Experience managing people and performance.
• Ability to analyse information and make informed decisions.
• Strong communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Experience improving operational performance.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop the Planning & Coordination Centre team.
• Manage freight planning and resource allocation.
• Monitor performance and drive operational improvements.
• Build strong relationships with customers and stakeholders.
• Ensure safety, compliance and operational standards are met.
• Manage workforce planning and rostering.
• Respond to operational issues and changing priorities.

Skills

Leadership

Planning & coordination

People management

Decision making

Stakeholder management

Problem solving

Microsoft Office

Operational systems

Tools

Microsoft Office

Operational systems

Job description

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• 12 Month Fixed-term opportunity
• Based at our Container Terminal, Onehunga, Auckland

KiwiRail is undergoing significant investment and transformation to modernise and grow New Zealand's rail and ferry networks.

As Planning & Coordination Centre Manager, you'll lead the team responsible for coordinating container movements, storage and dispatch across our Container Terminal. Working alongside terminal leaders and key stakeholders, you'll drive operational performance, continuous improvement and customer outcomes while ensuring freight moves safely, efficiently and on time.

• Lead and develop the Planning & Coordination Centre team
• Manage freight planning and resource allocation
• Monitor performance and drive operational improvements
• Build strong relationships with customers and stakeholders
• Ensure safety, compliance and operational standards are met
• Manage workforce planning and rostering
• Respond to operational issues and changing priorities

This role requires demonstrated experience leading operational teams within freight, logistics, transport, ports, container terminals, warehousing, manufacturing or a similar operational environment. Candidates without relevant operational leadership experience are unlikely to be successful.

• Experience leading operational teams
• Strong planning, coordination and problem-solving skills
• Experience managing people and performance
• Ability to analyse information and make informed decisions
• Strong communication and stakeholder management skills
• Experience improving operational performance
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and operational systems
• Experience in rail, freight, logistics, ports or shipping is highly regarded

Nōu te rourou | What's in it for you

• Competitive salary package
• A leadership role within KiwiRail's freight network
• The opportunity to influence a critical part of terminal operations
• Exposure to complex, large-scale logistics environments
• Access to KiwiRail staff benefits
• A chance to contribute to the growth and transformation of rail in New Zealand

Applications close: Tuesday 20th October 2026 (unless filled sooner)

Please note: To be considered for this role, applicants must hold New Zealand Citizenship, Permanent Residency, or a visa with unrestricted work rights. Sponsorship is not available for this position.