Senior Operational Leader - Infrastructure & Environmental Services

Waste Management; Dairy Flat; On-site; NZD 150,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Waste Management New Zealand seeks a Senior Operational Leader for Infrastructure & Environmental Services to own a flagship asset in Auckland, including Redvale Landfill. You will lead a 35-strong team and contractors, driving safety, operational performance and environmental stewardship while delivering strong financial outcomes.

You will collaborate with engineering, environmental management, HSE, finance, maintenance and community engagement teams, report to the Regional Manager, and foster

Qualifications

• Experience leading large operational teams in asset-intensive environments.
• Track record of delivering safety, operational, financial, and people outcomes.
• Experience managing contractors, operational risk, budgets, and capital projects.
• Strong stakeholder management with customers, regulators, community groups, and senior executives.
• Ability to build high-performing teams and create a culture of accountability, ownership, and continuous improvement.
• Commercial acumen and experience managing operational performance and budgets.
• Strong written, verbal, and presentation skills.
• Relevant tertiary qualifications are advantageous but not essential.

Responsibilities

• Lead a team of ~35 employees and multiple contractors to drive operational excellence.
• Ensure safety, environmental stewardship, and regulatory compliance.
• Deliver financial outcomes and long-term operational success.
• Collaborate with engineering, environmental management, health and safety, finance, maintenance, and community engagement teams.
• Report to the Regional Manager and influence strategic decisions.

Skills

Leadership

Safety management

Stakeholder management

Budget management

Contractor management

Strategic planning

Communication

Education

Relevant tertiary qualifications advantageous

Job description

Senior Operational Leader - Infrastructure & Environmental Services

• Full-time

Lead one of New Zealand's most complex and strategically important operational assets.

Let’s take care of work that matters - people, place and purpose. From roads to recycling to reporting, everyone at WM New Zealand helps take care of our people, protect our whenua and support our communities.

We’re more than waste management – we’re problem solvers, innovators, and hands-on doers. Every one of us, whether behind the wheel, on the tools, or shaping strategy behind the scenes, is helping build a better Aotearoa.

The role you’ll play.

Redvale Landfill is far more than a landfill.

We are seeking an experienced Branch Manager to take ownership of one of our largest and most strategically important operations in Auckland.

This is a significant leadership position responsible for the safety, operational performance, environmental stewardship, financial outcomes, and long-term success of a complex, highly regulated infrastructure asset.

Leading a team of approximately 35 employees and multiple contractors, you will have responsibility for driving operational excellence while building a culture of accountability, continuous improvement, and high performance.

Reporting to the Regional Manager, you will work closely with specialist teams across engineering, environmental management, health and safety, finance, maintenance, and community engagement to deliver outstanding outcomes for the business and the communities we serve

What you’ll need.

This role will appeal to experienced leaders from industries such as infrastructure, utilities, manufacturing, mining, quarrying, ports, transport, logistics, aviation, defence, energy, construction, or other complex operational environments.

You do not need experience in the waste or environmental services sector to succeed. We are looking for an accomplished leader with the ability to build high-performing teams, manage risk, engage stakeholders, and consistently deliver results. We will provide the industry-specific training and support needed to be successful.

You will bring:

• Proven experience leading large operational teams in a complex, asset-intensive environment.
• A track record of delivering strong safety, operational, financial, and people outcomes.
• Experience managing contractors, operational risk, budgets, and capital projects.
• Strong stakeholder management skills, including customers, regulators, contractors, community groups, and senior executives.
• The ability to build high-performing teams and create a culture of accountability, ownership, and continuous improvement.
• Commercial acumen and experience managing operational performance and budgets.
• Strong written, verbal, and presentation skills.
• Relevant tertiary qualifications are advantageous but not essential. We are more interested in proven leadership experience within large-scale operational environments.

This is a rare opportunity to take ownership of a critical operation, influence strategic decisions, and lead an experienced team within a business that plays an essential role in New Zealand's future.

WM New Zealand is an equal opportunity employer and promotes a drug- and alcohol-free workplace.

Applicants must currently be based in New Zealand and hold New Zealand citizenship, residency or a valid work visa.