Warehouse Manager

Lead a critical 24/7 operation. Build the team. Shape what’s next.

We’re looking for a Warehouse Manager to lead a large, complex 24/7 warehousing operation. With product moving through receiving, storage, inventory, dispatch and international supply chains, this is a role where great leadership, operational discipline and commercial thinking genuinely matter.

You’ll lead through your people, building a strong leadership team, creating the capability to deliver safe, reliable and high-performing warehouse operations. You’ll also have the opportunity to shape how our warehouse operates into the future.

If you’re the kind of leader who can set the direction, develop great people, hold the line on standards and see the bigger picture, we want to hear from you. 

What you’ll be responsible for

• Lead a large, complex 24/7 warehouse operation across receiving, storage, inventory and dispatch.
• Deliver safe, reliable and cost-effective performance across service, productivity, inventory and cost.
• Provide strong, visible leadership across the warehouse, setting clear direction and expectations while building a culture of accountability, collaboration, high performance and continuous improvement.
• Coach and develop your people, providing regular feedback, support and opportunities to build capability, improve performance and progress their careers.
• Set clear expectations, accountability and performance standards across the operation.
• Drive strong safety, food safety, inventory and operational discipline, including scanning, FEFO/FIFO and stock accuracy.
• Optimise warehouse capacity, product flow, labour and resource utilisation.
• Lead continuous improvement, productivity, cost and future warehouse technology initiatives.
• Use SAP, EWM and data to strengthen warehouse control, visibility and performance.
• Partner closely with Manufacturing, Supply Chain, Quality, Health & Safety, and Capital Projects.
• Manage warehouse budgets, labour and external service providers.
• Ensure warehouse capability and capacity support manufacturing, customer and export requirements.

What you’ll bring

We’re looking for an experienced warehouse leader who is ready to make their mark. You’ll know how to build great teams, set high standards and deliver through others, with the energy and determination to challenge the status quo and keep raising the bar. 

You’ll be a leader who is motivated by building capability in others and is ready to take on a complex operation with plenty of opportunity to make an impact. You’ll bring a hands-on, commercially minded approach, strong operational discipline and the confidence to step up, make decisions and lead from the front.

You’ll ideally bring:

• 10 + years experience leading large, complex warehouse or logistics operations, in a 24/7 environment, either in dairy, FMCG, food manufacturing, or another high-volume manufacturing environment.
• 3 – 5 years leading large operational teams, ideally across multiple shifts.
• A relevant qualification in Supply Chain, Operations, Engineering, Business or a related discipline would be advantageous.
• Strong people leadership experience, with a track record of developing leaders, building capability and creating succession pathways.
• Strong commercial mindset, with the ability to balance service, cost, productivity and operational performance while making sound decisions that support the wider business.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to build strong relationships and work effectively with internal teams, senior leaders, external partners and key customers.
• Experience leading continuous improvement, change and operational transformation.
• The ability to set clear expectations, hold people accountable and drive consistent execution across multiple shifts.
• Experience with SAP, WMS or EWM would be highly regarded.

Why this role?

You’ll have the opportunity to make a real difference at the heart of our operation, connecting manufacturing to customers and global markets while building the people, processes and systems that will shape the warehouse of the future.

What's next? Apply now!

Include your most recent CV and cover letter summarising your abilities and what you can bring to Synlait. We encourage you to apply early as we will be reviewing applications regularly and may close the advertisement early. Together we will continue to create a workplace where everyone can thrive and contribute their best.

Applicants outside of New Zealand will only be considered if you have the legal right to live and work in New Zealand.   

What we offer:

• Health insurance cover & partnered with top brands for great benefits and discounts
• Excellent parental leave with our Matua policy
• B Corp^TM certified 
• Social Club membership opportunities

About us – The Synlait Spirit 

Synlait is more than a global leader in milk nutrition – we're a purpose-led team that’s Doing Milk Differently For A Healthier World. Our Synlait Spirit guides everything we do, from how we show up each day to the impact we create together. You’ll be joining an authentic, down-to-earth team that lives the three values that underpin the Synlait Spirit. 

Be The Difference means we understand before we act – that means asking why, supporting each other to think differently, stay curious, and continuously look for smarter ways to deliver value. Whether it’s in the paddock, the plant or the boardroom, we’re driven by impact and inspired to make a meaningful difference every day. 

We Move as One by working together with respect, trust and a shared commitment to doing what’s right. We collaborate across teams to deliver innovative solutions and create opportunity for those around us. 

We feed the world’s most vulnerable, including newborn babies, so we have to be Right on the Mark. That means we take accountability seriously, act with courage and focus our energy on what matters most. We combine expert farming and state of the art processing to deliver high quality nutritional products to all over the world. 

At Synlait you’ll be challenged and supported to grow. We know everyone brings something unique to the table so we’re an inclusive workplace, where diverse perspectives fuel innovation and success. 

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