Operations Lead

5 days ago

Invercargill Central, New Zealand HR South Full time NZ$80,000 - NZ$120,000 per year

Create a world of beauty. Lead with purpose. Grow with us.

About Us

At Easy Big Trees, we're not just in the business of growing exceptional trees — we're cultivating a world of beauty, from the ground up. As a proudly family-owned nursery based in Southland, we've built a reputation for quality, reliability, and service over decades. Our work transforms spaces, landscapes, and communities, and we're driven by a clear purpose: create beauty, sustainably.

As we grow, so does our need for strong, grounded leadership — and that's where you come in.

The Role

We're searching for a calm, capable, and confident Operations Lead to join our leadership team. You'll take charge of the day-to-day performance across our core operational areas: Nursery & Production, Sales, Dispatch, and Marketing.

This isn't about micro-managing — it's about clearing the path for others to thrive, setting high standards, and ensuring everything flows efficiently, beautifully, and consistently.

This role is perfect for someone who:

  • Thrives on creating order out of day-to-day challenges with staff and sales
  • Leads with strength and heart (no ego required)
  • Knows how to balance accountability with care
  • Wants to make a real impact in a values-driven, high-performing environment

Key responsibilities of the role include:

  • Team Leadership & Culture – Hold department heads accountable, build trust, and raise performance standards
  • Operations Oversight – Streamline daily operations across departments and ensure KPIs are met
  • Business Resilience – Drive systems, reporting, and structures to support long-term sustainability
  • People Management – Lead HR processes, support wellbeing, and strengthen team engagement
  • Commercial Contribution – Align ops with sales, strengthen client relationships, and uphold brand quality
  • Health & Safety – Champion a culture of safety, structure, and continuous improvement

What We're Looking For

We're after a true "captain" — someone who quietly commands respect, leads by example, and empowers their team.

We'd love to hear from candidates who:

  • Have proven operational leadership experience (GM, Ops Manager, or similar)
  • Have a background in horticulture, trades, or production-based industries (strongly preferred)
  • Are effective people-leaders, with calm confidence and emotional intelligence
  • Possess strong commercial acumen and understand margins, pricing, and client service
  • Have some sales experience (preferred)
  • Are committed to values, integrity, and team success
  • Have an understanding of, and commitment to, workplace health and safety

Why Join Us

At Easy Big Trees we care about our team and take pride in our 'people first' approach. We're big on vision and values, and we offer a competitive remuneration package for the successful candidate. If you're keen to join a business built on passion and purpose, don't miss this exciting opportunity.

Help us continue to create a world of beauty — and a workplace where people thrive.

Ready to grow with us? Contact for more information, or apply online now.

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