At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and innovate in supply chain partnerships, driving collaboration and value.
- Company: Join a proud Kiwi-owned co-op dedicated to community and sustainability.
- Benefits: Flexible working, health insurance, professional growth, and fun social events.
- Other info: Inclusive culture with opportunities for continuous learning and career development.
- Why this job: Shape the future of supply chain while making a real impact in your community.
- Qualifications: Senior leadership experience in supply chain or related fields required.
The predicted salary is between 59400 - 72600 £ per year.
As our Head of Supply Chain Commercial, you'll build deep, trusted partnerships across our supplier community, unlocking opportunities for collaboration, innovation and mutual value. Through these partnerships, you'll shape how our Supply Chain function creates value for members and delivers better outcomes for the customers and communities we serve across the South Island.
Reporting to the General Manager Supply Chain, you'll sit on the Supply Chain Leadership Team alongside our Heads of Operations, Performance & Optimisation and Transport. You'll lead a function of around 20 people across Procurement, Business Services and Business Development, with accountability for shaping the commercial direction and performance of the Supply Chain function. You'll also lead, coach and grow a capable team, creating an environment where people can do their best work and continue building their capability.
Key Accountabilities
- Build and foster deep, trusted partnerships across our supplier community, unlocking opportunities for collaboration, innovation and collective success.
- Drive and grow key Supply Chain income streams, including Vendor Stock Holding and Cross Dock.
- Shape commercial agreements and opportunities that balance member value, operational practicality and commercial outcomes.
- Lead, coach and develop high-performing teams across Replenishment, Supply Chain Services & Infrastructure, Business Services and Business Development.
About You
You'll be an experienced commercial leader who can balance commercial outcomes with operational realities. You're comfortable leading leaders, influencing senior stakeholders and bringing people together to achieve outcomes. You'll also bring:
- Senior leadership experience within supply chain, logistics, operations, commercial performance or a related environment.
- Strong commercial judgement and an ability to balance growth, risk, cost and service outcomes.
- Experience negotiating and managing supplier or commercial partnerships.
- A track record of identifying and delivering commercial opportunities and business improvements.
- The ability to translate complex information into clear recommendations and decisions.
- A relevant qualification in business, commerce, supply chain, logistics or a related discipline.
How to apply:
If this role feels like the right next step for you, we'd love to hear from you. Click Apply to submit your application through our careers site. Applications will close at 11:59pm on Sunday 4 October 2026 and will only be accepted via our careers site.
If you have any questions about the role, or experience any issues submitting your application, please email careers@foodstuffs-si.co.nz.
What we offer
Our approach to flexible working is based on trusting and empowering our people to manage their time and deliver results while balancing the needs of their personal lives. We’re committed to equitable outcomes, and we offer additional paid parental leave, free period products and financial health checks to name a few. We support your wellbeing with Southern Cross health insurance for you and your family after a qualifying period, discounts at local gyms, and access to online wellbeing tools. We offer continuous learning and professional growth, as well as access to our extensive online training library and endless opportunities. We’re proud of our supportive team environment, and our positive and friendly culture that’s made fun by regular social events! We’re a Pride Pledge organisation, and we are committed to an inclusive workplace where everyone thrives, every day and we celebrate our diversity as strength. Our Hornby based office has free carparking, an in-house café.
About Us
We’re a team of 14,000 who make sure South Islanders have access to the groceries and essentials they need. Proudly 100% Kiwi-owned and operated, our co-operative has more than 180 PAK’nSAVE, New World, Four Square and On the Spot stores feeding the South Island. We value being at the heart of our communities, like we’ve always been, to make the South Island a better place – for today and for many generations to come. From sunny Golden Bay all the way to Stewart Island, there’s a Foodstuffs store serving you and your whānau. Our success is down to our people who bring their skills, experience, passion, and expertise to make Foodies an amazing and rewarding place to work. Our co-op has a wide variety of roles to offer, and endless opportunities for development.
Head of Supply Chain Commercial in Christchurch employer: Foodstuffs
At Foodstuffs, we pride ourselves on being an excellent employer, offering a supportive and inclusive work environment that fosters personal and professional growth. Our Hornby location provides unique benefits such as free parking, an in-house café, and a strong commitment to employee wellbeing, including health insurance and access to online training resources. Join our vibrant team where collaboration and fun are at the heart of what we do, making every day rewarding as we serve our South Island communities.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Supply Chain Commercial in Christchurch
✨Join Supply Chain Meetups
Get yourself out there by attending supply chain meetups and industry events. It's a great way to meet fellow professionals, learn about trends, and maybe even hear about job openings before they’re posted online.
✨Show Off Your Skills on LinkedIn
Don’t just sit back and wait for opportunities! Post insights or articles on LinkedIn about supply chain challenges or solutions you’re passionate about. This not only showcases your expertise but can catch the eye of recruiters looking for someone like you.
✨Engage with Supply Chain Communities
Dive into online communities related to supply chain operations like forums or groups on Reddit and LinkedIn. Engaging in discussions can help you network, get advice, and you might even stumble upon some hidden job opportunities.
✨Apply through Our Website
When you spot a position at Foodstuffs, make sure to apply through our website directly. It's often the quickest way to get your application in front of the right people and show that you’re genuinely interested in the role of Head of Supply Chain Commercial.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Supply Chain Commercial in Christchurch
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Supply Chain Savvy:Make sure to highlight your relevant experience in supply chain operations. Whether it’s managing logistics or coordinating with suppliers, we want to see examples of how you've navigated the complexities of the supply chain. Concrete achievements, like reducing costs or improving delivery times, will definitely catch our eye!
Quantify Your Impact:When listing your previous roles on your CV, go for numbers! Mention percentages or actual figures where possible—like how much you've improved efficiency or reduced waste. It's all about showing us the tangible impact you've made in your past positions in supply chain operations.
Tailor Your Cover Letter:In your cover letter, don’t just regurgitate your CV. Instead, connect your experiences specifically to the role at Foodstuffs. Share why you're passionate about supply chain operations and how this full-time role aligns with your career goals—I mean, who wouldn’t want to hear that!
Research and Reflect:Before you apply, take some time to research Foodstuffs and its supply chain operations. Reflect on how your skills and experiences can fit into their operations. Being able to discuss their challenges and how you can contribute to solving them in your application will really make you stand out!
How to prepare for a job interview at Foodstuffs
✨Know Your Basics in Supply Chain Management
Make sure you've got a solid grasp of key supply chain concepts like demand forecasting, inventory management, and logistics. We could be quizzed on these during technical rounds, so brush up on any software tools commonly used in the industry like SAP or Oracle. This knowledge will help us show we can hit the ground running!
✨Show Off Your Analytical Skills
Prepare to discuss real-world scenarios where you've used data analysis to solve supply chain challenges. If you've got experience with tools like Excel or Tableau, get ready to talk about how you've used these to optimise processes or improve efficiencies. Employers love seeing that we can turn data into actionable insights!
✨Highlight Your Teamwork and Project Management Skills
In a full-time role, collaboration is key. Think of examples where you've worked on cross-functional teams or managed projects. Sharing how you navigated challenges while working with diverse groups will show that we can thrive in a dynamic environment like at Foodstuffs.
✨Research Specific Challenges Faced by Foodstuffs
Look into any unique supply chain challenges Foodstuffs might be facing, whether it's sustainability, supplier relationships, or global disruptions. Being prepared to discuss these topics shows that we're not only informed but also genuinely interested in how we can contribute to their success. That’s a big plus in any interview!
