PE Manufacturing Manager - - 42351 - Fletcher Building

General Information

Job Type

Permanent

Description

Iplex Pipelines NZ is a leading manufacturer and supplier of plastic pipeline systems, proudly supporting New Zealand’s infrastructure for generations. From water supply and sewerage through to telecommunications, mining and industrial applications, our products range from 15mm to 630mm and are trusted nationwide.

With manufacturing and distribution sites in Palmerston North, Christchurch and Ashburton, Iplex is part of Fletcher Building – giving you the stability of a large organisation with the impact and agility of a local manufacturing team.

At Iplex, our people are our passion. We’re committed to creating a workplace that is safe, inclusive, engaged and performance-driven. Everything we do is underpinned by our commitment to Zero Harm, continuous improvement, and being leaders in plastic building materials across Aotearoa.

The opportunity

We are seeking an experienced Manufacturing Manager to lead part of our Palmerston North manufacturing operation. Reporting into senior leadership, you will have end-to-end responsibility for safety, people, quality and production across a 24/7 operation, leading a team of 26 employees with 6 direct reports. You’ll balance hands-on operational leadership with strategic thinking, ensuring safety, quality, efficiency and performance are consistently delivered.

This role suits a confident manufacturing leader who enjoys being on the floor, developing people and driving continuous improvement in a complex production environment. Key responsibilities will include:

Leading and championing a Zero Harm safety culture
Manage part of our day-to-day manufacturing operations to meet production, quality and cost targets
Leading, coaching and developing team leaders and operators, building capability and engagement
Driving Manufacturing Excellence, Lean practices and continuous improvement initiatives
Ensuring products meet quality standards and compliance requirements
Collaborating with Engineering, Quality and P&P teams to deliver operational outcomes

What you’ll bring

Proven leadership experience in a manufacturing environment
Strong technical understanding of extrusion, machinery and quality systems is desirable, although not essential
Experience leading teams in a 24/7 production setting
Safety-first mindset with strong communication and problem-solving skills
Demonstrated ability to drive performance and positive culture

Why join Iplex?

Lead a critical manufacturing operation with real impact
Work for a values-driven organisation that puts people first
Career development opportunities within Fletcher Building
Stable, long-term role based in Palmerston North with a competitive salary

If you’re ready to lead from the front and make a difference, apply now.