Commercial Operations Manager

Protecting the health of our water.

We believe that’s worth caring about.

About Us

At Citycare Water, we’re proud to be the country’s largest dedicated experts in three waters – around 600 good people, making it happen across 10 locations. We specialise in water network maintenance and reticulation renewal construction. We service almost a quarter of properties nationwide; and we maintain over 20,000kms of pipe network. That’s 2X the length of the NZ’s state highways! Water may seem like such an everyday thing. but that’s what makes it so important. every day, every living thing needs it.

So, join us on our mission to ensure every community has access to safe water for life - we believe that’s worth striving for.

About the job:

We're looking for an experienced Commercial Operations Manager to partner closely with our operational leaders and help drive commercial excellence across our contracts, projects, and service delivery activities.

Based in either Auckland or Christchurch and reporting to the Head of Commercial & Risk, you'll provide insight, challenge, and practical support to operational leaders, helping them make informed decisions, improve performance, manage risk, and deliver sustainable commercial outcomes.

You'll work alongside our operational teams to:

•    Drive commercial performance across operational contracts and service delivery activities.

•    Provide commercial leadership, analysis, and advice to Regional Managers and operational leaders.

•    Support budgeting, forecasting, cost management, and performance improvement initiatives.

•    Identify commercial risks, opportunities, and emerging performance issues.

•    Facilitate operational and contract performance reviews and drive accountability for results.

•    Support pricing, tender submissions, business cases, and investment decisions.

•    Improve commercial capability, reporting, and decision-making across the business.

•    Build strong relationships across Operations, Finance, Procurement, Fleet, and Tendering teams.

To be successful, you'll bring:

•    Significant experience in commercial management, operational business partnering, contract management, or business performance roles.

•    Experience working within infrastructure, utilities, construction, maintenance, contracting, or other operationally focused industries.

•    Strong commercial acumen with the ability to interpret complex operational and financial information.

•    Demonstrated success influencing and partnering with senior operational leaders.

•    Experience supporting budgets, forecasting, pricing, tenders, business cases, and commercial decision-making.

•    The ability to identify performance issues and convert analysis into practical actions and improvements.

•    A collaborative style combined with the confidence to provide constructive challenge when required.

All preferred candidates will be required to complete preemployment checks to the employer’s satisfaction. These checks include but are not limited to, Ministry of Justice criminal conviction report, medical assessment, and drug and alcohol testing.

If you have any further questions, please email [email protected]

Benefits and culture:

At our core, we believe that diverse teams drive better outcomes. We're proud to support and invest in initiatives that create a workplace where everyone feels they belong:

•    Perks such as discounted health insurance, mental health first aiders, regular health check-ups, flu vaccinations and access to our employee assistance programme.

•    Our Women in Water network provides resources, support and opportunities to thrive as a woman in your career and life in general. This wāhine-only environment is a safe space to connect, ask questions, share thoughts and experiences, support each other and have some fun.

•    Employee benefits and discounts via BOOST.

•    Making Waves – Reward & Recognition Program: We celebrate team members who truly live our values through our Making Waves program, recognising and rewarding outstanding contributions every quarter

•    You’re covered from your very first day, with bereavement leave and five days’ sick leave available right from the start.

•    Our culture values different perspectives and we provide mentorship and training to help all team members succeed and progress in their careers.

Find out more:

Visit our Careers page to hear from our people about what it’s like working for Citycare Water; and visit out News section to read about the work we do protecting the health of our water in our local communities.

We encourage all applicants, regardless of their background or experience, to apply if they feel they are a good fit for the role. We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer that values diversity and believes that every member of our team brings unique perspectives and strengths to our company.