Forestry Manager | Rotorua

Job Description

Job Title: Forestry Manager

Role type: Full time, permanent

Location: Rotorua

Salary range D: $98,955 to $132,427 depending on skills and experience

Kōrero mō te Tūranga - About the Role

As the Forestry Manager for our Rotorua site, you'll provide management support to the Forest Operations Manager in line with Crown Forestry's business objectives, with a particular focus on working collaboratively with the forest management contractors to plan, budget and control forest development, tending, maintenance and harvesting operations.

We currently utilise forest management contractors to service our Central North Island (CNI) and East Coast portfolio which comprises 15 forests covering over 6,500 hectares. This opportunity will see you supporting our CNI assets group and from time to time, other regions as resource is needed elsewhere.

This role will be a mixture between the office and being in the field. Travel outside the region will be required.

A typical day will see you

• Implement and maintain forestry operations systems and processes including monitoring and reporting on physical and financial performance; and review contractor/sub-contractor performance
• Act as the Crown's steward in respect of the maintenance and improvement of the forest assets
• Implement and maintain audit processes for forestry operations as set out in Crown Forestry's Quality Management System
• Ensure Environmental legislative compliance as required under NES-Commercial Forestry, Resource Management Act and relevant local authority District and Regional Plans
• Ensure Health and Safety legislative compliance in accordance with the Crown Forestry H&S plan
• Develop and maintain forest management plans in line with Crown Forestry guidelines
• Work with existing management contractors under the Crown Forestry's operating model
• Assist in the selection and induction of new management contractors to operate under the Crown Forestry's model
• Build and sustain positive working relationships with stakeholders (lessors, grantors, neighbours, iwi, territorial local authorities, regional councils, and forest user groups) as appropriate to discuss and report on issues arising from forestry operations
• Monitor and audit on-forest operations (access, land preparation, planting, releasing, tending, pest control, forest health, earthworks and harvesting) including the employment and performance of sub-contractors
• Ensure tree crop and land is adequately protected and kept secure

Mōu - About You

We're searching for someone with experience in managing forest operations, specifically pre-plant, establishment and tending. Experience in managing earthworks and harvesting operations is also desirable. You'll be used to achieving strong results through the relationships you build and possess an open and honest communication style. You will be dedicated to meeting the expectations of your stakeholders and work to gain their trust and respect. Proactive management of your work and a reliable, steadfast nature will also be key to your success.

Alongside this we are seeking:

• Familiarity with the legislative/regulatory environment for the forestry sector (specifically health & safety and the environment)
• A tertiary qualification in forestry management or equivalent industry experience
• Experience in managing forest and harvesting operations in an outsourced environment including supplier appraisal, negotiation, performance, and delivery
• Financial management capability including budgets and controls
• An ability to consult with and manage relationships with a range of stakeholders
• An ability to analyse issues, evaluate options and agree on a solution
• The ability to work as part of a team or independently
• Advanced written and oral communication skills with the ability to solve problems, negotiate and/or influence an outcome
• A willingness to share and learn knowledge and experience

You must have a current full New Zealand driver licence (not temporary, learner, or provisional) or equivalent full foreign drivers licence, and any endorsements required for the type of driving you'll be doing.

Mō tō mātou Rōpū - About the Team

Crown Forestry is a commercial trading organisation managing the Crown's existing commercial forestry assets. We also enter into new commercial arrangements to develop plantation forests as directed by government policy. Our role is to prudently manage and administer this portfolio of forestry assets to achieve the best return for the Government while ensuring the Crown's legal and contractual obligations are met. As a direct participant in the New Zealand forest industry, Crown Forestry stands apart from the fundamental policy, regulatory and service delivery roles of MPI. Nationally, we manage over 50 different forest assets working with multiple forest management contractors.

We're a team of 11, geographically dispersed (Masterton, Northland, Wellington, and Rotorua), but joined by our passion for the industry and a goal of becoming industry leaders. Our field operations staff regularly work remotely from one another but often closely with forest management contractors. We stay in touch with regular team meetings and informal chats. People enjoy working in our team for its united and connected culture and the variable and dynamic nature of our work. We work diligently, enjoy a laugh or two and provide a supportive network for each other. We're looking forward to welcoming our new Rotorua Forestry Manager to the team to continue the meaningful work we are doing for the Crown.

Mō te Manatū Ahu Matua - About MPI

We're passionate about growing prosperity in the sector while ensuring respect for Kaitiaki – guardianship of our natural resources.

Ngā hua o te mahi i te Manatū Ahu Matua - Benefits of working at MPI

• Additional MPI leave days
• Annual Wellness payment
• Bi-annual paid eye test and contribution to the costs of corrective lenses/frames
• Access to free professional confidential counselling

Ngā Taki Whakahaumaru - Security checks

Low level Security Clearance

• most preferably a NZ citizen, who has resided continuously in NZ for at least the last five (5) years, OR
• is a citizen of, and/or has resided continuously in one or more of the following countries for the last five (5) years: either Australia, Canada, NZ, the United Kingdom (UK) or the United States of America (USA); and has a background history that is verifiable and can be assessed as appropriate by the NZ Security Intelligence Service (NZSIS) towards a recommendation of suitability for a security clearance at this level.
• click here to find out more about the national security vetting process and access the eligibility self-check tool.

If you do not meet these minimum criteria, we will not be able to accept your application.

Whakamātau Whakapōauau me te Waipiro - Drug and Alcohol Screening

Please note, given this position is safety sensitive the preferred applicant/s for the position will be required to undergo a drug and alcohol pre-employment screening test. Further information on this process can be found on our careers site under the application process, on pre-employment checks page.

Kua rite koe mō tēnei mahi whaitake? - Are you ready to make a difference?
We are committed to being a good partner under Te Tiriti o Waitangi which includes working closely with iwi, hapū, whanau and hāpori.

We aspire to reflect the diverse communities we serve, so we welcome applications from individuals of all backgrounds, and identities. As an organisation, we are committed to making Manatū Ahu Matua a great place to work for all.

In your cover letter we'd like to know about you, your values, your interest, and motivations for this role; the abilities, strengths, personal attributes, and diverse perspectives you will bring to the role and this organisation, which may have also been gained outside of the workforce.

To view the position description and/or apply online, please click “APPLY FOR THIS JOB” or visit the MPI Careers Site. To apply, you must hold the right to work in New Zealand or be eligible to obtain it – click here to find out more about work visa eligibility and options.

Applications close at midnight 30 January 2025.

If you have any questions about the role, please email Sophie.Hallett@mpi.govt.nz 

Whāia ngā tūhononga ki MPI i konei – Follow MPI here

Links to Facebook, MPI Careers, LinkedIn, Twitter