Team Leader - Organics

SmartRecruiters, Inc.; Hawke's Bay; On-site; NZD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

WM New Zealand is seeking an experienced and hands-on Team Leader to coordinate our organic waste yard operations, support our people and keep the site safe, efficient and compliant with environmental requirements. This is a practical leadership role where you’ll organise day-to-day activities of the yard team and ensure work is completed safely, accurately and according to the production plan.

You’ll work with compost technicians, maintenance and site leadership to coordinate operations and

Qualifications

• Experience working on an operational site with loaders and heavy vehicle movements.
• Previous supervisory or team leadership experience.
• Strong planning, communication and people-management skills.
• Ability to work autonomously while contributing positively to the wider team.
• Commitment to health, safety and environmental compliance.
• Experience within organics, composting, waste, recycling, civil construction or similar processing environment would be an advantage.

Responsibilities

• Coordinating daily workloads, staffing and site activities.
• Leading, supporting and training yard team members.
• Ensuring operational paperwork is accurate and completed on time.
• Monitoring site activities to maintain consent compliance.
• Coordinating compost operations, windrow and screening operations.
• Adjusting processing activities to keep the site operating efficiently.
• Planning work for weekends, early mornings and periods when you are off-site.
• Maintaining strong standards of safety, housekeeping and environmental care.
• Working collaboratively with technicians, maintenance staff and other site teams.

Skills

Team leadership

People management

Planning

Communication

Safety compliance

Autonomy

Job description

Let’s take care of work that matters - people, place and purpose. From roads to recycling to reporting, everyone at WM New Zealand (WM) 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.
We all pull together on this waka and if you want work that matters, with people who’ve got your back, you’re in the right place.

Job Description

The role you’ll play

We’re looking for an experienced and hands on Team Leader to coordinate our organic waste yard operations, support our people and keep the site operating safely, efficiently and in line with environmental requirements.

This is a practical leadership position where you’ll organise the day-to‑day activities of the yard team and ensure work is completed safely, accurately and according to the production plan.

Working closely with our compost technicians, maintenance team and site leadership, you’ll coordinate compost operations, windrow movements, screening activities, freight logistics housekeeping and daily monitoring tasks.

Key responsibilities

• Coordinating daily workloads, staffing and site activities.
• Leading, supporting and training yard team members.
• Ensuring operational paperwork is accurate and completed on time.
• Monitoring site activities to maintain consent compliance.
• Coordinating compost operations, windrow and screening operations.
• Adjusting processing activities to keep the site operating efficiently.
• Planning work for weekends, early mornings and periods when you are off‑site.
• Maintaining strong standards of safety, housekeeping and environmental care.
• Working collaboratively with technicians, maintenance staff and other site teams.

Qualifications

What you’ll need

You’re an experienced operational team leader who is comfortable working around heavy machinery and vehicle movements. You’re organised, safety‑focused and confident coordinating people and priorities in a busy environment.

• Experience working on an operational site with loaders and heavy vehicle movements.
• Previous supervisory or team leadership experience.
• Strong planning, communication and people‑management skills.
• The ability to work autonomously while contributing positively to the wider team.
• A strong commitment to health, safety and environmental compliance.
• Experience within organics, composting, waste, recycling, civil construction or a similar processing environment would be an advantage.

Additional Information

WM New Zealand is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to a drug and alcohol‑free workplace.

You must currently be in New Zealand and hold the legal right to work here through citizenship, residency or a valid work visa.

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