Head of Commercial Finance

Kotahi is on a mission to empower New Zealand businesses to compete and thrive on the world stage. If you're a strategic finance leader ready to make a real impact, this is your opportunity to shape your own destiny and help shape ours.

About the Opportunity

This newly created Head of Commercial Finance role is a pivotal leadership position designed to support Kotahi's long-term strategy and drive business performance. You'll lead and develop the commercial finance function, working closely with senior leaders across the business.

This is more than a finance role - it's a chance to be at the heart of shaping Kotahi's future. You'll play a key role in developing execution plans for our evolving strategy, supporting high-stakes negotiations, and using scenario modelling to explore and influence different outcomes. You'll have exciting projects to sink your teeth into and the autonomy to shape how commercial finance operates at Kotahi.

You'll be responsible for:

• Business Partnering: Acting as a trusted advisor, translating financial insights into strategic action.
• Commercial Strategy: Shaping and executing strategies that align with Kotahi's growth ambitions.
• Financial Planning & Analysis: Leading budgeting, forecasting, and scenario planning to improve profitability.
• Contracting & Governance: Overseeing commercial aspects of external partnerships and contract negotiations.
• Project Support & Investment Evaluation: Driving financial evaluation of transformation projects and new initiatives.
• Leadership: Setting high standards and supporting a high-performing team of 3 to deliver with excellence and commercial acumen.

About You

You're not just a finance leader - you're a strategic thinker, a trusted advisor, and a people-first leader who thrives in complexity. You bring a balance of commercial acumen, leadership maturity, and a collaborative mindset that inspires those around you.

You bring:

• A tertiary qualification in accounting, finance, or business (CA, CPA, or CFA preferred).
• 15+ years' experience in complex corporate environments, ideally within supply chain or logistics.
• Proven leadership in commercial finance, business partnering, and strategy execution.
• Exceptional stakeholder management and communication skills.
• A proactive, action-oriented mindset with the ability to navigate complexity and ambiguity.
• A leadership style that sets the bar high while empowering your team to grow and succeed.

Why Join Kotahi?

We offer a compelling benefits package including:

• Flexible working – up to 2 days from home weekly.
• Wellbeing leave and access to our Hauora platform for you and your whānau.
• Additional purchased leave after 12 months.
• Learning and development support including LinkedIn Learning and study assistance.
• Employee referral bonuses and retail discounts.
• Fresh fruit and biscuits to fuel your day.

Be the Leader Who Shapes What's Next

If you're driven to deliver, passionate about commercial strategy, and ready to stand together with a team making a global impact  - we'd love to hear from you.

Please note, we can only consider you for this role if you are legally entitled to work in New Zealand.

Thank you for your interest in joining Kotahi. While you are applying for a role at Kotahi, our recruitment process is managed in partnership with the Fonterra Talent Acquisition Team, as Fonterra Co-operative Group is one of our majority shareholders.  Rest assured, your application details and personal information will be treated with the strictest confidence and handled in accordance with the Kotahi Privacy Statement for Job Applicants which can be found here:Kotahi Privacy Statement for Applicants.

Your information will not be shared within Fonterra beyond the Talent Acquisition Team. If you would prefer to speak directly with a Kotahi representative before submitting your application, please feel free to reach out to Philippa Green, People Business Partner,. We value your privacy and are here to ensure you feel comfortable and supported throughout the process.