Supervisor – Underground

Northpower Limited; Palmerston North; On-site; NZD 110,000 - 140,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Life insurance

Health initiatives

Career development

Private vehicle use

Job summary

Northpower Limited is seeking an Underground Supervisor to lead day-to-day underground electricity distribution work across construction, maintenance, fault response and customer projects. This is a hands-on leadership role focused on safety, planning and people leadership onsite.

You will coordinate crews, materials, permits and site requirements, mentor field teams and drive continuous safety improvements while partnering with project managers.

Qualifications

• Experience in electricity distribution, underground construction and maintenance.
• Proven leadership and people management skills.
• Strong planning, organisation and communication abilities.

Responsibilities

• You will coordinate crews, resources and subcontractors to deliver underground work safely and to high standards.
• You will lead toolbox meetings, safety observations and site audits, and support incident investigations.
• You will liaise with project managers and other stakeholders to ensure effective delivery.

Skills

Leadership & people mgmt

Planning & organisation

Safety awareness

Communication under pressure

Stakeholder coordination

Site supervision

Project coordination

NZ driving licence

Education

Technical qualification (Level 4+)

EWRB registration or working towards

Electrical Inspector certification or working towards

Tools

HV switching competencies

Job description

Applications close 11/10/2026 Reference REQ2106 Employment type Permanent Location 50 Mihaere Drive, Palmerston North 4414 NZL

About The Role:

We’re looking for an Underground Supervisor to join our teamand take ownership of the day-to-day delivery of underground electricitydistribution work across construction, maintenance, fault response and customerprojects. This is a hands‑on leadership role where your technical knowledge,planning ability and people leadership will make a real difference in thefield. You’ll be a visible leader in the field and someone who sets thestandard for how work is carried out. We'relooking for someone who takes genuine ownership ofsafety, is comfortable challenging unsafe practices and understands that goodleadership starts with being present and engaged with the team. You’ll leadtoolbox meetings, safety observations and site audits, support incidentinvestigations and make sure corrective actions are followed through. Just asimportantly, you’ll help build a positive team culture where people takeownership, look out for each other and take pride in the work they deliver.

Role Responsibilities:

You’ll be responsible for coordinating crews, resources andsubcontractors to ensure underground construction, maintenance, renewals andfault response work is properly planned and delivered safely, efficiently andto a high standard. The role involves leading and supporting field crews byproviding coaching, mentoring and technical guidance, while coordinatinglabour, subcontractors, materials, plant and equipment to ensure teams haveeverything they need before work commences, including required materials,equipment, permits and site requirements. You'llwork closely with Project Managers, Designers,Schedulers and other operational teams to coordinate work programmes and ensureeffective delivery. Responsibilities include coordinating outage planning andswitching requirements, ensuring B4UDig requirements, landowner liaison andsite preparation are completed, checking switching packs, and ensuringeffective job handovers to field teams. You’ll also monitor productivity,quality, programme delivery and cost performance to ensure work is completed efficientlyand in line with project requirements. Therole will also involve supporting emergency restorationand storm response activities when required, ensuring project documentation andcompletion paperwork is accurate and completed on time. You’ll be expected toidentify and implement opportunities to improve safety, work practices,processes and overall operational delivery, contributing to a positive safetyculture and the continuous improvement of field operations.

Experience & Qualifications

• Extensive electricity distribution experience, particularly underground construction and maintenance
• Experience supervising electrical, cable jointing and/or civil crews
• Strong HV/LV network knowledge, including cable installation, jointing and fault response
• Proven leadership and people management skills
• Strong planning, organisation and communication skills,with the ability to work under pressure
• Good understanding of safety, industry regulations andnetwork requirements
• Experience working with Project Managers, customers, contractors and other stakeholders
• EWRB registration or working towards
• Electrical Inspector certification or working towards
• HV switching competencies
• Current NZ Class 1 driver’s licence
• Relevant Level 4 or above technical qualification

What Northpower Offers You:

Make real impact across Aotearoa in a stable and future‑focused sector. At Northpower, you’ll do work that matters and powers our communities whilegrowing your career in an organisation that genuinely cares for its people.

You’ll benefit from:

• A people‑first culture built on safety, inclusion, and deep care, where contributions are recognised and wellbeing is supported through EAP and our award‑winning peer support network (Kaitiaki)
• Fair and market competitive pay Private use vehicle, with the flexibility to tailor through additional leave and increased employer KiwiSaver contributions
• Life insurance and preventative health initiatives (including annual flu immunisations and Mole Maps)
• Discounted group medical cover and health and fitness programmes (including Fitness Passport)
• Discounted fuel rates plus a range of retail discounts (including Boost, PBTech and Specsavers)
• Ongoing learning and development, with clear career pathways to help you grow,specialise, or progress
• A welcoming, family‑friendly workplace where people are encouraged to be themselves and feel valued

About Northpower:

Northpower is an organisation with deep regional roots and national reach. Weown and operate the electricity and fibre networks across Whangārei andKaipara, delivering essential infrastructure to more than 60,000 connectedcustomers, while also operating one of New Zealand’s largest multi‑utilitycontracting businesses. From keeping the lights on today to building the infrastructure that will power tomorrow, our work spans electricity, fibre, renewables, transmission, andenergy services. With more than 1,400 people across 16 locations, we act as one to support our communities, customers, clients, and critical nationalinfrastructure across Aotearoa. What connects all this work is real impact you can see in your community. The work you do at Northpower matters it is seen, felt, and relied on every day.

New Zealand work rights are required for the role. Pre‑employment checks will include a criminal history check, drug and alcohol testing, and a medical assessment.