Social Supermarkets Team Lead

This is a meaningful leadership opportunity to shape the future of our Social Supermarkets programme and grow its impact across the North Island. 

You’ll lead a future-focused, values-driven team responsible for developing, delivering and continuously improving the programme.

Working across community organisations, stores, suppliers, government agencies and Foodstuffs teams, you’ll help create sustainable Social Supermarkets that give whānau experiencing food insecurity access to healthy and affordable food in a dignified, supermarket-style environment. 

You’ll be accountable for the programme’s strategic direction, operational performance and long-term sustainability, while ensuring strong partner outcomes and measurable social impact. 

• Own the strategy, roadmap and ongoing development of the Social Supermarkets programme. 

• Lead the delivery and sustainable operation of new and existing Social Supermarkets across the North Island. 

• Build influential partnerships with community organisations, stores, suppliers, government agencies and internal stakeholders. 

• Strengthen programme governance, performance reporting and risk management. 

• Continuously improve the operating model, standards, frameworks and partner support approach. 

• Lead and develop the Social Supermarkets team, building capability, accountability and engagement. 

• Champion the programme internally and externally, including with senior leaders, governance groups and media when required. 

You’re a strategic, action-oriented leader who cares deeply about creating positive social impact. You’re equally comfortable setting long-term direction, navigating complex stakeholder relationships and rolling up your sleeves to solve operational challenges. 

• Demonstrated experience leading complex programmes, initiatives or partnerships involving multiple stakeholder groups. 

• Proven people leadership experience and the ability to build high-performing, engaged teams. 

• Strong strategic thinking, with the ability to balance long-term programme development with operational delivery. 

• Exceptional relationship-building and influencing skills, including working effectively without direct authority. 

• Strong governance, reporting, risk management, operational and commercial capability. 

• Experience developing operating models, frameworks or processes that deliver sustainable outcomes. 

• Confidence using data, insights and feedback to improve performance and decision-making. 

• Excellent communication and presentation skills, including experience engaging senior leaders, boards or governance groups. 

• The resilience, judgement and adaptability to thrive in an ambiguous and fast-moving environment.