Regional Site Operations Manager
Central North Region
Location: Hamilton or Rotorua
Permanent Full-time

Mō te Pakihi | About the Company:
We're building something new. On 1 July 2025, AgResearch, Manaaki Whenua – Landcare Research, Plant & Food Research and Scion came together to form the Bioeconomy Science Institute. Now, we are more than 2200 people working to support the growth and resilience of the bioeconomy in New Zealand and beyond.

Together, our world-class science will advance innovation in agriculture, horticulture, forestry, aquaculture, biotechnology and manufacturing; protect and enhance ecosystems from biosecurity threats and climate risks; and develop new bio-based technologies and products.

Kōrero mō te tūranga | About the role

You will champion a safety-first culture, ensuring all activities are conducted in line with industry best practice and compliance requirements, protecting our people, customers, and communities. As the custodian of property assets and infrastructure, you will drive proactive maintenance strategies, optimise asset lifecycle performance, and ensure facilities are resilient, compliant, and fit for purpose.

Leading a geographically dispersed team, you will balance regional priorities with the unique needs of each location and lead the delivery of high-quality site operations while fostering strong relationships with staff, stakeholders, iwi, and service partners.

This is a pivotal role for an experienced operations leader who thrives in a dynamic environment and can balance strategic oversight and regional priorities with the unique needs of each location and hands-on execution,

The role can be based at either our Rotorua site or Ruakura (Hamilton) campus.

Ō pūmanawa | About you

You are an experienced operational leader with a strong track record of delivering high-quality site or facilities services across complex environments. You enjoy leading and developing teams, fostering a culture of collaboration, accountability, and continuous improvement.

You use performance data and operational metrics to monitor outcomes, identify opportunities for improvement, and drive operational excellence. You have a sound understanding of health, safety, and compliance requirements, including your responsibilities under the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015, and are committed to maintaining safe and compliant workplaces.

A confident relationship builder, you work effectively with a wide range of operational, science and cultural stakeholders to support service delivery, solve problems, and achieve shared outcomes. You also bring experience managing resources and budgets, ensuring people, assets, and funding are used efficiently to deliver organisational objectives.

You will hold a relevant tertiary qualification, contractor management certification, and training and/or certification in workplace health and safety management or be able to demonstrate equivalent knowledge and experience.

Ngā āhuatanga kei a mātou | What we offer

As an employee of Bioeconomy Science Institute, you will work with passionate and talented people and enjoy generous benefits including flexible working options. You will also have the opportunity for personal growth and career development.

The Bioeconomy Science Institute embraces diversity and is committed to an inclusive and respectful workplace where everyone is valued for their unique contribution. We celebrate and respect diversity in all its forms including ethnicity, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, or age. We also welcome and support neurodiverse individuals and recognise the value of different ways of thinking.

Tono Mai | Apply Now!

Enquiries about the position may be directed to Simon Warren, simon.warren@plantandfood.co.nz. For further details about the Bioeconomy Science Institute can be found on our website, watch this Bioeconomy Science Institute short clip.

Applications close on Thursday 16 July 2026 at 11.55pm NZT

Job Details

Crown research institute Plant & Food Research
Reference # 60803
Posted on 03 Jul 2026
Closes on 16 Jul 2026 23:55
Location(s) Hamilton, Rotorua
Expertise Finance & Accounting
Job level(s) Experienced, Management
Work type(s) Permanent
More details (document) Position Description - Regional Site Operations Manager Central North Region July 2026.pdf
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