Distribution Centre Manager - Southern

Distribution Centre Manager – Southern

At NZ Safety Blackwoods, we’re more than a supplier — we’re a trusted partner, keeping workplaces safe and productive across New Zealand.

We’re looking for a strong, people‑centric Distribution Centre Manager to lead our Southern Distribution Centre in Hornby, Christchurch. This is a pivotal leadership role with a clear mandate: take the team on a journey to become a high‑performing, results‑driven operation while maintaining a relentless focus on safety and customer outcomes.

About Us

NZ Safety Blackwoods, part of the Wesfarmers Group, is a recognised market leader providing industrial solutions across apparel, footwear, safety, engineering, tools and packaging. We are passionate about delivering expert knowledge and practical solutions to our customers.

Everything we do is grounded in taking care — taking care of our customers, our community, and each other.

About the role

Reporting to the Head of Operations, you will have overall accountability for the leadership, performance and culture of the Southern Distribution Centre.

This role is about more than running a DC — it’s about leading through change, strengthening accountability, improving operational results, and embedding a culture where people are engaged, capable and performance‑focused.

Key responsibilities

• Drive DC performance, building a high‑performing, engaged and accountable team
• Lead through technology implementation and change
• Champion Health, Safety and Wellbeing, ensuring no safety issue is ignored and a zero‑harm mindset is embedded and maintained
• Deliver operational excellence across order fulfilment, inventory accuracy, productivity and cost control
• Achieve and exceed service targets including DIFOT >95%
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives that improve efficiency, accuracy and customer experience
• Develop, coach and manage leaders and team members, addressing performance effectively and fairly
• Partner with Sales, Supply Chain and internal stakeholders to deliver customer‑first outcomes
• Ensure compliance with systems, legislation, policies and reporting requirements

About you

You are an experienced DC or warehouse leader who thrives in environments where change, clarity and accountability are needed. You are comfortable setting direction, making decisions, and having courageous conversations — while genuinely investing in your people.

You will bring:

• Proven experience leading a distribution centre or large warehouse operation
• Demonstrated success in lifting team performance and driving results
• Strong people leadership capability across recruitment, development and performance management
• A continuous improvement mindset, using data and KPIs to inform decisions
• Sound commercial and operational judgement
• A practical, hands‑on leadership style with the ability to influence across the business

Formal warehousing qualifications and experience with modern WMS environments are advantageous.

Our values

At NZ Safety Blackwoods, how you lead matters. In this role, you will actively live and role‑model our values:

• Customer First – ensuring service, reliability and trust guide every decision
• Accountability – owning outcomes and holding yourself and others to clear standards
• Openness – communicating honestly, listening actively and encouraging constructive challenge
• Integrity – acting ethically and consistently, even when it’s difficult
• Boldness – having the courage to challenge the status quo and drive meaningful change

 NZ Safety Blackwoods promotes and adheres to the principles and practices of diversity and inclusion. We are also proud to be an Associated Partner of Mates in Construction.