Operations Manager – Commercial Painting Contractor, Auckland

Prima Projects Ltd – Auckland, North Island

We are looking for an Operations Manager for our commercial painting business. Please find the full position brief below. Company Overview


Location: Auckland (operations across North Island, South Island & South Pacific)
Clients: 4-5 of New Zealand's major main contractors
Position Details

Title: Operations Manager
Reports To: Director
Direct Reports: 2 Project Managers, 1 Commercial Manager, Office Team
Location: Auckland-based with national travel required
Key Responsibilities
Winning Work (50% of role)

Prepare tenders and estimates
Price projects accurately from $50k quick jobs to $5 M+
Build and maintain relationships with main contractor QSs, project managers, and procurement teams
Present to clients and negotiate contracts
Win more work from existing main contractor clients
Target and secure 1-3 major main contractors we don't currently work with
Maintain competitive win rate while protecting margins
Running Operations (50% of role)

Oversee 2 Project Managers (they manage sites, this role oversees their performance)
Manage Commercial Manager and office team
Ensure 5-8+ concurrent projects deliver on-time and on-budget
Full responsibility for business profitability (revenue and costs)
Lead team of 40+ across office and site operations
Manage resources across both islands
Work independently and make decisions without constant direction
Maintain client satisfaction and protect company reputation
Essential Requirements

10+ years in NZ commercial construction - painting contractor, subcontractor, or main contractor background
Expert-level Project Manager's Estimator skills
Proven history of winning tenders in $500k-$5 M range
Strong understanding of margins, cash flow, risk, contract terms
Experience managing teams and driving performance
Self-sufficient, thrives with autonomy, doesn't need constant oversight
Full NZ driver's licence
Willing to travel nationally (North Island, South Island, sometimes South Pacific)
Highly Valued (Not Essential)

Existing relationships with major NZ main contractors
Relationships with main contractors we DON'T currently work with
Experience managing businesses in $5 M-$15 M turnover range
Background working inside a main contractor (QS, PM, Contracts Manager)
Trade qualification in painting or relevant industry certifications
Experience in both estimating/tendering AND operations management
Performance Incentives
Revenue Performance Bonus

Tiered bonus structure based on annual company turnover
Higher turnover = higher bonus percentage
Rewards winning work and growing the business
No bonus if turnover drops below acceptable threshold
Operational Excellence Bonus

Project delivery - delivering projects on-time and on-budget
Margin protection - maintaining profitability through accurate estimating and cost control
Business development - securing new main contractor relationships

Total Package: $160k-$310k+ depending on performance

Benefits: Company vehicle, phone, laptop, genuine autonomy, potential equity discussion after 2-3 years. Candidate Profile
Ideal backgrounds


Senior Estimator or Project Manager at a commercial painting contractor ready to step up
QS, PM, or Contracts Manager from a main contractor who understands the client side
Someone who has worked with main contractors for years and wants autonomy and financial upside
Key attributes

Wins work - not just manages what others bring in
Self-starter - doesn't wait to be told what to do
Relationship builder - can maintain and grow client connections
Leader - can drive performance without micromanaging
Professional presence - credible with main contractor decision-makers
Resilient - can handle pressure and make tough decisions
This role is NOT suitable for:

Someone who needs constant direction or approval
Pure estimators with no operational/leadership experience
Pure operations people with no tendering/estimating capability
Anyone uncomfortable with performance-based pay
Someone looking for a comfortable, low-pressure role
Market context for candidates

Only 5-6 major main contractors build significant projects nationally
We work with 4-5 of them - only 1-3 gaps remain
Reputation matters - everyone knows everyone
Market can turn quickly - need someone who can perform in good times and bad