Senior Business Manager

Simplot New Zealand Limited is a wholly owned subsidiary of the J.R. Simplot Company. The J.R. Simplot Company is a diverse, privately held organization, with roots firmly planted in agriculture and agriculture-related businesses. We are a true farm-to-table company with operations that touch every aspect of agriculture, including seed production, farming and ranching, plant sciences, fertilizer manufacturing, food processing, commercial product development, and distribution. Simplot New Zealand is a vibrant, sustainable provider of great food in Australasia. Home to some of Australasia's favourite food brands, Simplot manufactures a diverse range of products that includes everything from delicious and balanced meals, convenient frozen potato and vegetables, tasty pasta sauces and nutritious seafood to fun snack foods. Our portfolio of brands included Birds Eye, Edgell, Leggos and John West.

**Culture & Benefits**:
At Simplot, we are fuelled by our purpose: We Contribute to Feeding Our World. We imagine a better future and set goals to reach it. We are committed to working as one Simplot and are guided by our shared values:

- Respect for Resources
- Spirit of Innovation
- Passion for People

We embrace diversity, equity, and inclusion. We care about creating an environment that promotes safety and wellbeing and where our people feel supported, respected and empowered. We do not tolerate any form of discrimination and are committed to providing equal opportunities for all our team members.

Simplot is passionate about cultivating a future where good ideas and inspiring possibilities have the chance to grow. We want our team members to build exciting and fulfilling careers with us and offer professional and personal growth opportunities.

**The Perks**:

- Flexible working arrangements and a variety of engaging Health and Wellbeing programs
- Health Insurance, Income Protection and Life Insurance
- Diverse Leadership Development Programs and Professional Development Support
- Employee Reward and Recognition Program
- Short Term Incentive Bonus
- Novated Car Leasing Agreements
- Opportunity to purchase additional annual leave

Simplot values the creativity and meaningful relationships that grow through face-to-face connection while also recognising the importance of flexibility for our team members. Our hybrid work environment includes four days in the office to strengthen our successful culture of innovation and collaboration.

**About our role**:
The Senior Business Manager - Woolworths NZ plays a pivotal role within the Simplot NZ sub-channel, with full accountability for the overall P&L and direct customer relationships with Woolworths New Zealand’s Merchandise Managers, Category Managers, and the Foodco Private Label business.

Based in our Auckland office and reporting to the Commercial Director - NZ, the SBM leads strategic customer engagement and drives commercial outcomes across the Woolworths NZ portfolio. This role also includes leadership and capability development through the management of a National Account Manager.

In addition to Woolworths NZ, the SBM is responsible for managing direct customer relationships with other internationally owned retail customers operating in the New Zealand market - currently Chrisco. The role works cross-functionally with Simplot Australia colleagues to identify and accelerate growth opportunities across emerging channels.

**What you will do**:

- Contribute to the development of customer strategy and Long-Range Plan (LRP), including a robust 0-12-month Commercial Plan that leads to a Joint Business Plan (JBP) with the customer
- Lead the execution of the Commercial Plan through ongoing review of JBP initiatives, ensuring stakeholder accountability Monitor and optimise trade spend investment, forecast performance, and delivery against planned range reviews and activation goals
- Champion a culture of proactive customer alignment by leveraging insights and to develop mutually beneficial strategies
- Incorporate competitor context into strategic planning to ensure relevance and differentiation
- Collaborate across the business to identify and unlock growth opportunities in alternative channels and new customers, including Meal Kit providers
- Lead and develop a National Account Manager, fostering capability growth and supporting performance delivery.

**About you**:

- Ideally holds a Bachelor’s Degree in a relevant field such as Business, Commerce, Marketing, or Supply Chain
- Deep experience in the New Zealand retail market, ideally with direct exposure to Woolworths NZ, its systems, processes, and ways of working
- Proven commercial capability with 5+ years in customer-facing roles, including at least 3 years at NBM level
- Strong track record of building trusted relationships and delivering results through strategic planning and customer alignment
- Comfortable working both on and in the business, with a hands-on approach to execution
- Demonstrated leadershi