Operations Team Leader

MHV Water Ltd is seeking an Operations Team Leader to lead our Scheme Operator team and help deliver safe, reliable water across our rural water delivery network.

This is a practical field leadership role. The technical and operational aspects matter, but the key requirement is people leadership. We need someone who can set clear expectations, coordinate work, support experienced field staff, and build a disciplined, safety-focused team culture.

The role suits someone who understands field-based operations and knows how to lead people across a live, rural operating environment. You will be comfortable working with operators, irrigators, contractors, and technology, but your real value will come from knowing your team, understanding the scheme, coordinating the right response, and keeping reliable service delivery front of mind. You do not need to come from irrigation, but you do need to bring practical operational judgement, clear communication, and respect for rural communities.

About the Role As Operations Team Leader, you will oversee daily scheme operations, water delivery, fault response, maintenance execution, weed control, and asset inspections. You will provide clear guidance and support to Scheme Operators, manage priorities, and ensure work is completed safely and to the required standard. You will work closely with the Operations Manager and will be expected to escalate issues early where they sit outside your authority or require wider operational, asset, or infrastructure decisions.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead, coach, and support a team of Scheme Operators.
• Set clear priorities, expectations, and work standards.
• Oversee day-to-day water delivery, field operations, and fault response.
• Coordinate maintenance, weed control, asset inspections, contractors, plant, and materials.
• Champion health, safety, compliance, and good operational discipline in the field.
• Build strong working relationships with shareholders, contractors, and rural stakeholders.
• Use telemetry, asset information, and digital tools to support practical decision-making.
• Communicate clearly with operators, management, and stakeholders.
• Manage and actively participate in all operational rosters to ensure reliability of water delivery and asset availability

What You’ll Bring

• Proven experience leading, supervising, or coordinating people in a field-based or operational environment.
• The confidence to lead experienced operators, hold standards, and deal with issues directly when required.
• A practical background in water delivery, farming operations, contracting, utilities, infrastructure, mechanical trades, transport, energy, or similar hands-on environments.
• Strong communication skills and the ability to remain calm and clear during faults, incidents, or changing conditions.
• Good technology capability, including comfort with telemetry, asset management systems, and digital tools.
• Sound judgement, initiative, and a safety-first mindset.
• Physical fitness and confidence working outdoors in all conditions.
• Full NZ driver's licence: 4WD experience would be an advantage.
• Formal leadership or management training is desirable but not essential.

Why Join Us? At MHV Water, our vision is to be a trusted community partner, enabling a productive and resilient Mid Canterbury. You will join a close-knit team in a role where the work is practical, varied, and important to Mid-Canterbury's primary sector. This role gives the right person the chance to lead a key field team, strengthen operational standards, and make a direct contribution to reliable water delivery for our shareholders.

Position Description Link: https://www.mhvwater.nz/images/documents/Employment/Operations_Team_Leader_PD.pdf

How to Apply Applications will be accepted via SEEK or Trade Me Jobs websites. Applications close end of Sunday 28 June

For a confidential discussion or queries about the role, please contact: Sam Anderson, Operations Manager – MHV Water on 027 435 6251