Operations Manager - Ecogas Reporoa

Operations Manager - Ecogas Reporoa

Lead safe, efficient and sustainable plant operations in a growing renewable energy business

Are you a hands-on operational leader who thrives in a fast-paced industrial environment? Do you enjoy leading people, optimising plant performance, and building a strong culture of safety, accountability and continuous improvement?

Ecogas is seeking an Operations Manager to lead the day-to-day operation of our Reporoa plant. This is a key leadership role responsible for ensuring the site operates safely, efficiently, compliantly and cost-effectively, while delivering strong performance outcomes for the business and our stakeholders.

This is a full-time position based at our site in Reporoa.

The Role

Reporting to the Ecogas General Manager, the Operations Manager is responsible for the safe, reliable and compliant operation of the plant. You will lead plant operations and maintenance activities, manage staff and contractors, oversee feedstock throughput and process optimisation, and ensure all statutory, regulatory and contractual obligations are met.

This role is central to maintaining plant uptime, managing risk, supporting audit and compliance activity, and driving operational and commercial performance.

Key responsibilities include:

• Leading the safe, efficient and compliant operation of the Reporoa plant
• Managing plant operations, maintenance planning and asset performance to optimise uptime and biogas production
• Monitoring plant performance, identifying risks and implementing practical improvement and contingency plans
• Ensuring compliance with environmental, statutory, regulatory and contractual requirements
• Overseeing feedstock management, digestate offtake and product quality standards
• Managing operational reporting, budgets, forecasts and performance insights
• Leading, coaching and supporting site staff and contractors to deliver strong operational outcomes
• Promoting a positive health, safety and wellness culture, including hazard, incident and public safety management
• Building effective relationships with internal teams, contractors, councils and other key stakeholders

About You

You are a practical and capable, hands-on operational leader who brings sound judgement, strong technical understanding and a proactive approach to safety, compliance and continuous improvement. You are comfortable balancing on-the-ground plant leadership with planning, reporting and team management responsibilities.

You will ideally have:

• Experience in an operations, plant or site leadership role within an industrial or processing environment
• Strong knowledge of plant operations, maintenance coordination and process improvement
• Proven experience leading teams and contractors
• A strong understanding of health, safety, risk and compliance requirements
• Good problem-solving skills and the ability to make sound operational decisions
• Experience with plant monitoring and reporting systems
• Strong communication, organisation and stakeholder management skills
• Financial awareness, including budgeting and cost control

About Us

At Ecogas, we’re committed to transforming waste into sustainable energy, leading the charge in New Zealand’s renewable energy sector. We believe in creating a circular economy that benefits both the environment and our communities.

We’re part of Pioneer Energy Group, which is majority owned by Central Lakes Trust and supported by a strategic equity partnership with Tōtara Energy LP. Together, our shareholders are committed to long-term, community-focused and sustainable investment in New Zealand’s renewable energy future.

Our values guide how we work and how we support our people:

• We care for each other – acting with compassion, respect, and commitment
• We embrace kaitiakitanga – protecting our people, communities, and environment
• We take ownership – being accountable and empowered to act
• We focus on what matters – delivering with purpose
• We are one team – working collaboratively to achieve the best outcomes

Why Work for Us?

We offer benchmarked, competitive remuneration and opportunities for learning and development. Our employee benefits include flexible working options, health, life and trauma insurance, wellness initiatives, Employee Assistance Programmes, flu vaccinations, and volunteering opportunities.

How to Apply

If this sounds like the opportunity for you, we would love to hear from you.

To be considered, you must:

• Be eligible to work in New Zealand
• Pass a pre‑employment drug and alcohol test
  

To view the full position description, click here.

Applications will be reviewed as they are received, and interviews may be held throughout the advertising period. Applications close 15 July 2026.