Operations Manager

About the Company Northpower is a leading electricity and fibre network provider serving the Whangarei and Kaipara regions, with over 60,000 connected customers. We are recognized as one of the largest multi-utility contractors in New Zealand, addressing the needs of clients across transmission, distribution, generation, fibre, renewables, and commercial sectors. With a strong commitment to excellence and innovation, we deliver commercially viable solutions for electrical and telecommunication design, construction, and maintenance. Our dedicated team of more than 1,400 staff operates from 14 locations, working collaboratively to ensure reliable power and services for our customers. About the Role We are seeking an experienced Operations Manager with a strong commercial acumen and a passion for performance to lead our Contracting division in Northland. In this key leadership position, you will be responsible for the day-to-day operations across multiple depots, managing the performance of contracts, and ensuring that our clients' needs are consistently met. This hands-on role combines office work with client engagement. You will lead a business unit that includes the Faults team, which is responsible for responding to outages and restoring power across the Northland region. Additionally, you will oversee planned maintenance and asset replacement activities to ensure compliance with operational standards while prioritizing safety, quality, and environmental considerations. Key Responsibilities - Oversee day-to-day operations across multiple depots - Lead the delivery of contractual obligations and performance KPIs for key clients - Drive annual maintenance and asset replacement programs - Ensure profitability and cost-effectiveness through strong commercial oversight, budgeting, and reporting - Build strong relationships with clients, stakeholders, and internal teams - Promote a culture of safety and continuous improvement within the team - Manage and develop a capable, high-performing workforce About You The ideal candidate will have proven operational management experience, preferably within the energy, infrastructure, or utilities sector. You should possess a strong commercial understanding that allows you to effectively oversee budgets, pricing, and forecasting. Relevant qualifications in business, engineering, or project management are advantageous. You should also have experience managing geographically distributed teams and depots, complemented by exceptional communication and organizational skills. A deep commitment to Northland and a desire to contribute to local growth and success are essential. Benefits We offer a competitive remuneration package, including a full private use vehicle. Our in-house well-being program, peer support network (Kaitiaki), and EAP services ensure that our employees are supported. Additional benefits include life insurance, group-discounted medical insurance, and a commitment to professional growth and development. Our friendly workplace values and appreciates its employees, and we provide tailored leadership development in line with our specialized capability framework. We also have a social club and host family-friendly events, along with discounted gym memberships and various retail discounts. Get in touch! This is an exceptional opportunity to make a significant impact through your leadership. Join our growing team and help shape the future of operations in Northland. To apply, please visit our careers website and search for job ID #REQ1577. Please note that New Zealand work rights are required for this role. Pre-employment checks may include a criminal history check, drug and alcohol testing, and a medical assessment.