Thermal Manager

Thermal Manager

Commercial leadership. Complex energy operations. Real responsibility.

This position can be based in either Dunedin or Alexandra.

Pioneer Energy Renewables is looking for a commercially sharp, technically minded leader to take responsibility for our thermal energy and wood operations business unit.

This is a broad management role spanning commercial performance, operations, customer relationships, contracts and people. You’ll be responsible for the performance and financial returns of our thermal and wood sites, while leading a team of 13 operational staff.

You don’t need to be an engineer. You do need to be comfortable in a technical and industrial environment, able to understand what drives plant performance and confident making good commercial decisions.

The Role

As Thermal Manager, you will report to our GM Renewables and will bring commercial and operational experience to the business. You’ll manage customer and supplier relationships, negotiate B2B agreements and industrial supply contracts, oversee financial and contractual performance, and make decisions that balance revenue, cost, risk, and long-term asset performance.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Leading and developing our thermal and wood operations teams.

• Owning operating, maintenance and capital budgets.

• Managing financial and commercial performance.

• Negotiating and managing B2B agreements and industrial supply contracts.

• Managing key customer, supplier and stakeholder relationships.

• Overseeing asset performance, maintenance and operational improvement.

• Managing CAPEX and OPEX delivery.

• Ensuring safety, environmental, statutory and contractual requirements are met.

About You

We’re looking for someone who brings a strong mix of commercial capability, leadership and technical thinking.

You’ll ideally have:

• Strong commercial and financial acumen.

• Experience negotiating B2B agreements and managing industrial supply contracts.

• Experience managing budgets, costs and commercial risk.

• Proven leadership and people management experience.

• Strong customer and supplier relationship skills.

• The ability to understand technical and operational issues and work effectively with engineering and operational specialists.

• Sound judgement and a practical approach to decision-making.

An engineering, asset management, business or commerce qualification could be useful, but a particular qualification is less important than your ability to understand a technical operation and make sound commercial decisions.

About Us

Pioneer Energy Renewables operates and maintains more than $400 million of renewable energy assets, including hydroelectric power schemes, wind farms, thermal energy schemes and a wood fuel business. We have people, plant and assets from Auckland to Bluff, with our head office in Alexandra, Central Otago.

We are part of Pioneer Energy Group, which is majority owned by Central Lakes Trust and supported by a strategic equity partnership with Tōtara Energy LP. Together, our shareholders are committed to long-term, community-focused and sustainable investment in New Zealand’s renewable energy future.

Our values guide how we work: we care for each other, embrace kaitiakitanga, take ownership, focus on what matters and work as one team.

Why Pioneer?

We’re on a journey to build high-performing teams across Pioneer, with a strong focus on leadership, trust, accountability and working well together. As Thermal Manager, you’ll play an important part in that, not just by delivering strong operational and commercial results, but by building a team where people take ownership, contribute ideas and perform at their best.

We offer competitive remuneration, opportunities for learning and development, flexible working options where appropriate, health, life and trauma insurance, wellness initiatives, Employee Assistance Programmes, flu vaccinations and volunteering opportunities.

How to Apply

If you’re commercially strong, technically minded and a great people leader, we’d like to hear from you.

To be considered, you must:

• Be eligible to work in New Zealand.

• Hold a current New Zealand driver licence.

• Be able to travel around New Zealand from time to time.

• Pass a pre-employment drug and alcohol test.

To view the full position description and apply, please apply via our online recruitment portal. View the job description on our portal, here.

Applications will be reviewed as they are received, and interviews may be held throughout the advertising period.

Applications close 4th December 2026.

For questions about the role, please email HR@pioneerenergy.co.nz.