Hunter Campbell’s Mastering Supply Chain Series profiles roles within the Supply Chain job family including jobs in demand, salaries, and employment prospects.
In this article, the role of Site/Manufacturing Manager is in the spotlight.
Purpose of the Role
Site Managers play a critical role in New Zealand’s manufacturing sector, ensuring that production facilities operate smoothly, efficiently, and safely. Their responsibilities are broad and include managing staff, coordinating production schedules, maintaining equipment, enforcing health and safety standards, and overseeing budgets and resource allocation.
In a competitive, cost-sensitive market, Site Managers are essential to driving operational efficiency and maximising productivity. With challenges like supply chain disruptions, labour shortages, and rising costs, their ability to streamline processes and manage resources is more critical than ever. Additionally, as sustainability and environmental compliance become increasingly important in New Zealand, Site Managers are tasked with aligning manufacturing practices to meet the company’s sustainability objectives.
Recruitment Forecast 2025
The demand for skilled Site Managers in New Zealand’s manufacturing sector is expected to rise through 2025, driven by several key factors. The country continues to face a skills shortage in essential sectors, including manufacturing, with Site Managers in particularly high demand. As businesses work to optimise operations amid labour constraints, recruiting experienced leaders to manage production sites has become critical.
The growing adoption of Industry 4.0 technologies also reshapes expectations for Site Managers. Companies now seek professionals who possess not only traditional management expertise but also a solid understanding of automated and digital manufacturing processes. These leaders are essential for integrating new technologies into daily workflows while maintaining operational efficiency and driving productivity.
Career Prospects
Site management offers a diverse range of career opportunities in New Zealand’s manufacturing industry. Site managers often start in junior roles such as production supervisors or team leaders, gradually progressing to oversee entire manufacturing sites as they gain experience.
As New Zealand’s manufacturing sector grows and evolves, individuals with a strong background in process optimisation, technology integration, and sustainability will find themselves in demand for leadership positions. Opportunities for advancement include operations management, plant management, and even general management roles within larger organisations.
Moreover, site managers can explore opportunities in various industries, including food processing, pharmaceuticals, and construction. These sectors are expanding in New Zealand and will require capable managers to lead production sites and ensure smooth operations.
Site management presents a wealth of career opportunities within New Zealand’s dynamic manufacturing industry. Starting in foundational roles like production supervisor or team leader, site managers can progressively advance to oversee entire manufacturing sites, building expertise and leadership skills along the way.
Career paths are open toward senior positions, including operations, plant, and general management within major organisations. Beyond traditional manufacturing, site managers can explore roles across high-growth sectors such as food processing, pharmaceuticals, and construction. These industries are expanding rapidly and demand skilled managers to lead production sites and drive operational excellence.
Qualifications
Site/Manufacturing Management is an interesting career with regards to qualifications. You could come from a hands-on production environment where you have had
on-the-job training. If a tertiary qualification is preferred, you might have studied in the following areas:
- Engineering or Manufacturing Technology
- Food Technology
- Purchasing and Materials Management
- Quality Assurance
- Supply Chain Management or Logistics
We also see candidates who have on the job training complete a tertiary qualification later in their career as the roles become more complex. Another route taken is through a trade qualified course. One of the great things about a production environmenst, if you are willing to learn and upskill, the options are endless.
Key Skills Required
To be successful in a site management role, candidates require a combination of technical expertise, leadership abilities, and strong interpersonal skills. The key skills and qualifications needed include:
Technical Skills:
- Deep understanding of manufacturing processes and systems.
- Knowledge of production scheduling and inventory management.
- Familiarity with Industry 4.0 technologies, such as automation and IoT (Internet of Things), as these become more integrated into manufacturing operations.
- Experience in managing budgets, resources, and performance metrics.
Soft Skills:
- Leadership and team management skills to effectively oversee staff and drive performance.
- Problem-solving and decision-making abilities, especially in high-pressure situations.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills for coordinating across departments.
- Adaptability and continuous learning, as the manufacturing sector is rapidly evolving with new technologies and practices.
Salary Guide
This information is anecdotal and based on roles Hunter Campbell is currently recruiting or has previously recruited and relate to base salaries. They do not include any additional bonuses or benefits.
- $140,000 – $240,000
This range has a large variance and would depend upon – size of site, number of sites, complexity of the business.
These salaries will vary depending on the industry, company size and levels of responsibility.
If you would like to find out more about the role of a Production Manager, please contact Senior Consultant John Boyle. John specialises in specialises the recruitment of Operations and Engineering. For more news and views, visit our website by clicking here, see what opportunities we have available here or follow us on LinkedIn.
