Introduction Steel & Tube, New Zealands leading steel solutions provider with over 70 years of history, is seeking a passionate Operations Manager to steer our Wellington galvanising plant under the newly formed Steel & Tube Galvanising Ltd. Reporting to the Regional Manager Southern, youll lead a team of 12-14, including galvanisers, supervisors, and support staff, to deliver safe, efficient, and high-quality production. This role is perfect for an experienced leader or a capable supervisor ready to take the next step in their leadership journey, bringing mechanical aptitude and a commitment to fostering a united, high-performing team culture in a challenging yet rewarding environment.

Description Youll oversee the entire galvanising process, from black steel preparation to finished galvanized product, ensuring compliance with ISO 9001 and AS/NZS 4680:2006 standards. Your leadership will optimise plant performance, manage resources, and drive continuous improvement while maintaining a strong focus on employee safety and customer satisfaction. With a hands-on approach, youll engage with staff, customers, and stakeholders, using root cause analysis to solve problems and build strong relationships.

Youll also mentor your team, fostering morale and developing leadership pipelines to ensure long-term success. This role offers the opportunity to make a tangible impact in a fast-paced, industrial setting. Youll navigate a dynamic environment with some stakeholder challenges, leveraging your communication and problem-solving skills to align the team and drive results.

Dont know anything about Galvanizing, no worries, we will teach you everything you need to know. With support from the Regional Manager Southern, youll have access to some world class galvanizers and training, such as the ACA GAA Galvanising Inspectors Program, to enhance your technical expertise and lead with confidence. Key Responsibilities: Lead galvanizing operations to meet safety, production, and quality targets Optimise workflows, resources, and processes to boost efficiency and profitability Ensure compliance with the Health & Safety at Work Act 2015 and ISO 9001 standards Coach and develop staff, fostering morale and building leadership pipelines Manage maintenance, budgets, and stakeholder relationships to support plant success About You: Were seeking an energetic self-starter with a passion for people and manufacturing.

Whether youre an experienced operations leader or a supervisor ready for the next step, youll thrive in this dynamic role. Youll need: 3 years experience in heavy manufacturing or galvanising, ideally in a leadership role Mechanical aptitude and proven problem-solving skills, preferably with root cause analysis experience Strong communication skills to engage internal and external stakeholders Ability to lead, motivate, and diffuse conflict while building a supportive team culture Desirable but not completely necesary: an Engineering background or previous galvan.