Contracts Manager - HVAC & Refrigeration

About the role

Winter Air Conditioning is an established Wellington-region contractor working across HVAC, commercial refrigeration, ventilation, electrical and controls. This Contracts Manager role combines project ownership with practical estimating and commercial judgement. You will lead projects, price the work, and help shape how the company delivers. Project delivery is the main focus, with protected time for agreed estimates. You will work directly with the owner alongside existing site leadership, technical specialists and office support, helping to strengthen how projects are priced, planned and delivered.

Key responsibilities

Prepare estimates and quotations: obtain supplier prices and allow for equipment, materials, installation labour, electrical/controls, commissioning and job-specific risks.

Manage allocated HVAC/mechanical projects and agreed refrigeration work, with specialist input where needed, from scope review through delivery and commercial close-out.

Plan labour, materials, subcontractors, access and key dates with the site team. Keep clients informed and resolve issues before they hold up the job.

Track budgets, actual costs and forecast cost to finish. Identify changes early, manage variation approvals and prepare progress claims.

Coordinate specialist design and technical input, equipment selections, commissioning, defects and handover records.

Own the wider project plan and commercial follow-through, with agreed authority.

About you

Proven HVAC/mechanical project-delivery experience and practical estimating capability.

Ability to explain scope, supplier inputs, labour allowances and margin, read drawings, manage suppliers and discuss changes with clients.

Commercial refrigeration experience, particularly pricing coolrooms, freezers, plant replacements and upgrades, would be an advantage.

Simpro or comparable systems experience is useful.

Project Manager with estimating capability, or an estimator with proven project-delivery experience.

Trade and engineering backgrounds are welcome.

Full driver licence valid in New Zealand is required for regional site visits.

Legally entitled to work in New Zealand when employment begins.

Benefits

Company vehicle.

Employee Assistance Programme (EAP).

Health checks.

Employer KiwiSaver contributions additional where eligible.

* Direct access to the owner and opportunity to improve how projects are run.

Apply

Apply through SEEK with your CV and a short introduction outlining your project-management and estimating experience.

For a confidential conversation, email John-Paul Murphy - [email protected].

Applications will be reviewed as they arrive.