Customer Operations Manager- Shape the Future of Food Innovation
Our R&D team has an exciting opportunity for a Customer Operations Manager for Woolworths NZ to play a crucial role in optimizing the Woolworths NZ own brand business. This is not your typical operations role — it's a chance to combine customer-facing engagement with innovation leadership, driving projects and process optimization.
Why this role matters
As Customer Operations Manager, you'll sit at the intersection of innovation, cost optimisation, and customer partnerships. You'll lead cost-out initiatives, champion smarter ways of working, and deliver projects that don't just add value — they redefine it. Along the way, you'll build trusted relationships with key internal and external stakeholders, becoming a voice of influence and a driver of change.
What you'll be doing
1. Optimising costs: Identify smart opportunities to reduce COGS across our portfolio while ensuring new launches are commercially sound from day one.
2. Leading projects: Take charge of exciting innovation projects for WWNZ Own Brand, while supporting overflow projects as needed.
3. Driving improvements: Deep-dive into operations processes, challenging the status quo to unlock new efficiencies.
4. Shaping R&D: Play a key role across all stages of the R&D process, ensuring compliance and successful delivery.
5. Building partnerships: Strengthen relationships with WWNZ teams, positioning Tegel as a trusted, innovative partner.
What you'll bring
6. A Food Tech, Project Management or related qualification.
7. Strong knowledge of product development and innovation processes.
8. At least 5 years experience in a Technical, Operations or Product Development role where you have built strong skills and leadership in Project Management.
9. A collaborative style, backed by strong stakeholder engagement skills, experience in a customer facing role is desirable.
10. Financial acumen, a continuous improvement mindset, and the confidence to challenge when needed.
11. Strong organisational skills with the ability to juggle multiple priorities.
What's in it for you?
12. Competitive remuneration package
13. Medical & life insurance
14. Free carpark
15. Staff discounts on our products
16. 4% KiwiSaver contribution
17. Modern offices in Newmarket
18. A collaborative, passionate team environment
This is your chance to take ownership, lead projects that matter, and grow your career in an innovative environment.
If this sounds like your next big challenge, apply today — we're reviewing applications as they come in, so don't wait!