Senior Operations Leader - Lean Manufacturing & Delivery

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

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.