Kaitaki Kawenga Raraunga Data Operations Manager

Company Description

Z has a clear purpose: Powering better journeys, today and tomorrow. As one of New Zealand’s largest transport energy companies, we have a commitment to delivering safe, secure, and reliable transport energy – with the opportunity to deliver new journeys, with new energy solutions in a changing world.  

We are proud to be the Kiwi contingent in the Ampol Group, an independent Trans-Tasman energy company, with trading offices across the globe, which are united behind our shared purpose. While many of the challenges and opportunities we face go beyond national boundaries, together we have the scale, influence, and capability to deliver for our customers, communities, and our people. 

Job Description

Ampol’s Data, Analytics & AI team harness our data to act faster, make better decisions, elevate our service to our customers and drive growth through improved operations and innovation 

The Data Operations Manager will be responsible for overseeing the end-to-end operational health, availability and performance of enterprise data services. This role will ensure data, reporting and AI platforms and services, are managed as critical services and continually improved to meet business needs. Leading a team focused on data service delivery across monitoring, incident, release and change management, service continuity and operational support across data infrastructure, tools and products.    

You will have the opportunity to:

• Take ownership of data operations of data platforms, reporting systems and AI/ML services, ensuring uptime, performance and scalability of services across data platforms and reporting environments.
• Lead, mentor and manage a team of data platform support engineers, fostering a high performance, customer-focused culture, with defined objectives to measure team effectiveness and operational performance.
• Own and execute ITIL aligned processes and procedures for incident, problem, change and release management – driving resolution of operational incidents and ensuring root cause analysis and remediation
• Partner closely with engineering and architecture teams to inform and influence design for operational readiness
• Drive continuous service improvement and operational maturity, identifying opportunities for automation, performance tuning and cost optimization.
• Serve as the key operational contact for internal and external stakeholders
• Provide regular reporting and communications on platform performance, incidents and service health

Qualifications

What you'll bring to Z:

• Leadership in data operations/data support roles within enterprise transformation environments
• Strong experience with data platforms and cloud infrastructure – particularly within Azure (Data Factory, Fabric etc).
• Deep knowledge of ITIL practices and real-world application
• Proven ability to manage incident and change management processes across diverse technology environments
• Experience supporting AI/ML or advanced analytics platforms in production would be beneficial.
• Familiarity with DevOps/DataOps concepts and tooling
• Deep experience with modern data platforms, including Databricks, Snowflake, and related technologies
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with demonstrated leadership capability
• Strong problem-solving skills and the ability to think strategically across enterprise.

And of course, you’ll be passionate about what matters to Z, embracing and living our values to help us deliver on our aspirations and broader commitment to Aotearoa New Zealand. 

Don’t meet every single requirement? At Z we are dedicated to building a diverse, inclusive and authentic workplace, so if you’re excited about this role but your past experience doesn’t align perfectly with every qualification in the job description, we encourage you to apply anyway. You may be just the right candidate for this or other roles. 

Additional Information

What we can offer you  

• A competitive remuneration package including short-term incentive plan, medical insurance for you and your family, enhanced employer contribution for KiwiSaver 
• Generous leave provisions including enhanced sick leave, parental leave benefits and the option to buy additional leave 
• The balance of hybrid working, enjoy some of your week at home and some in our welcoming office space 
• The opportunity to contribute and be part of a supportive team that is here to make a difference 
• A chance to build your own capability through learning from some of the industry’s most knowledgeable people who have a desire to share their insights along with access to upskilling opportunities and career development across the organisation 
• Two days a year to do Good in your Hood, though our volunteering scheme, a chance for you to help others in your community in a meaningful way to you 
   

The base salary range for this role is $153,000.00 to $190,000.00 per annum, plus 15% STI based on company performance, a 5% KiwiSaver employer contribution and health insurance through Southern Cross. 

Why Z? 

Z has always been a proud Kiwi company. We’re aspirational for our future, confident of our role in Aotearoa New Zealand’s success and deeply loyal to our customers, communities and people.  

At Z we focus on achieving extraordinary outcomes by setting the appropriate context, rather than by telling our people what to do. By doing this, high performing and talented people deliver better results and are more personally fulfilled. 

We care deeply for our people while pushing them to achieve their best as individuals and collectively as an organisation. Our flexible working approach and Rainbow Tick and Gender Tick accreditations - backed by our strong company values, Tū Kaha Stand Up, Tū Maia Speak Out, Tū Kotahi Side by Side - have created an open and inclusive workplace that promotes personal development and is underpinned by a desire for our people and our communities to succeed.  

One of the things we stand for at Z is Diversity & Inclusion. It is our belief that having a diverse workforce make it possible for our people to truly be themselves and deliver on our aspirations for Z.  

We’re distinctive in our approach and if you’re up for a challenge, we’d love you to be part of it. If Z sounds like a place you believe you can add value and grow your own capability, then make sure you read Our Why. This is our founding document and provides further insights in what it means to part of the Z whānau.  

If Z feels like a good match for your head and your heart, come join us for one heck of a journey! 

Please include a cover letter in your application, telling us why you’re a great fit for Z.