Timber Processing Manager

Waipapa Pine; Kerikeri; On-site; NZD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Employee Education Fund

Parental Leave

KiwiSaver

Discounts

Employee Welfare Fund

Diverse and inclusive culture

Job summary

Waipapa Pine, part of Fletcher Building, is a well-established timber producer in Northland, seeking a Timber Processing Manager for Waipapa site. This hands-on leadership role oversees the dry mill, kilns, pellet plant and finished goods, guiding a 26-strong team to safe, productive outcomes.

You’ll work closely with the broader leadership team to optimise processes, drive continuous improvement and foster a strong health and safety culture across the site.

Qualifications

• Proven leadership experience within timber processing, sawmilling or similar manufacturing, ideally 5+ years in leadership.
• Qualification or trade related to manufacturing, operations, engineering, timber processing or business desirable.
• Experience overseeing multiple operational areas, departments or production lines.
• Strong understanding of production flow, plant utilisation, quality, downtime and continuous improvement.
• Experience with safety, production and people performance outcomes.

Responsibilities

• Provide operational leadership across Waipapa Pine’s secondary processing operations (dry mill, kilns, pellet plant, finished goods).
• Lead a team of 26 through supervisors and drive safe, efficient production with quality outcomes.
• Be visible on the floor, support frontline leaders, build capability and solve operational challenges.
• Collaborate with the wider leadership team to optimise site performance and drive continuous improvement.

Skills

Leadership

Operations management

Team leadership

Health & safety

Continuous improvement

Production planning

Education

Manufacturing qualification

Engineering trade

Tools

Kiln operations

Job description

Jora New Zealand will close on 9th September 2026. Thank you for being with us, we are cheering you on as you continue your career journey.

Waipapa Pine, part of Fletcher Building, is a well-established producer of high-quality sawn timber products located in Northland, with sites in Waipapa and Whangārei. Over the years, we’ve had a heavy focus on supporting employment opportunities for the people of Northland. We are now seeking a dedicated and experienced Timber Processing Manager to join our team at our Waipapa site in a permanent, full-time position working a minimum 45 hours per week, Monday – Friday.

About the Role

As our Timber Processing Manager, you'll provide operational leadership across Waipapa Pine’s secondary processing operations, including the dry mill, kilns, pellet plant and finished goods, . Leading a team of 26 through your supervisors, you'll be responsible for driving safe and efficient production while ensuring quality, performance and people outcomes are achieved.

This is a practical hands-on leadership role where you'll be visible on the floor, supporting frontline leaders, building team capability, solving operational challenges, managing production priorities and fostering a strong health and safety culture. Working closely with the wider leadership team, you'll play a key role in optimising performance across the site and driving continuous improvement.

About You

You’ll be a confident operational leader who thrives in a production environment and knows how to get the best out of people while maintaining clear expectations and high standards.

You’re comfortable leading through supervisors, building trust across the workforce, making sound decisions and maintaining fair and consistent accountability standards.

To be successful in this role, you’ll bring:

• Proven leadership experience within a timber processing, sawmilling or similar manufacturing environment, ideally with 5+ years in a leadership capacity.
• A qualification or trade related to manufacturing, operations, engineering, timber processing or business would be highly desirable.
• Experience overseeing multiple operational areas, departments or production lines.
• A strong understanding of production flow, plant utilisation, quality, downtime and continuous improvement.
• Demonstrated success managing safety, production and people performance outcomes.
• The ability to build credible relationships, hold people accountable and create a positive team culture.
• Experience with kiln operations or technical knowledge of timber drying processes would be highly advantageous.

On Offer

We understand that our people are our greatest asset. As part of the Fletcher Building Group, you will have access to these awesome benefits, including:

• A key leadership role with genuine opportunity to influence site performance and culture.
• The opportunity to lead an experienced team and contribute to the ongoing success of a well-established Northland business.
• An Employee Education Fund for you and your dependents, funding education and development opportunities.
• Generous Parental Leave and an Employee Welfare Fund to support in times of need.
• KiwiSaver employer contributions matched up to 4% of base salary.
• Huge range of discounts at PlaceMakers, Z Petrol, PB Technologies, and many more.
• A stable, positive and inclusive work culture that supports your growth and development.

Studies indicate that some women and people from minority groups may hesitate to apply unless they meet all the criteria.

Our teams thrive on diversity, embracing various nationalities, languages, religions, customs, and lifestyles. We are proud of our diversity and see it as one of the things that make us better together.