About

• The Opportunity;
• Lead with purpose. Champion people. Drive a high-performing depot forward.
• At Ritchies, we've been helping New Zealanders get where they need to go for over 85 years. We’re proud of our people, our fleet, and the essential role we play in connecting local communities safely every day.
• We’re now looking for an experienced, people-centred Depot Manager to lead our Christchurch depot, someone who thrives on operational excellence, builds strong relationships, and creates a workplace where people feel supported and proud to belong.
• If you're energised by variety, passionate about delivering safe, reliable services, and enjoy bringing out the best in others, this is your chance to make a meaningful impact in one of our largest and most dynamic depots.
• Why Join Ritchies?
• Be part of a respected Kiwi brand with deep roots in the South Island
• Lead a large and diverse workforce across a bustling metropolitan operation
• Work alongside a supportive regional and national leadership team
• Enjoy opportunities to grow and develop your leadership career
• Competitive package plus the chance to shape the future of our Christchurch depot
• What you'll be leading
• As Depot Manager, you'll take ownership of the day-to-day operations and overall success of the Christchurch depot. Your leadership will span people, safety, fleet, customer relationships, finance and continuous improvement.
• Operational Excellence
• You’ll keep the depot running smoothly and safely, overseeing scheduling, fleet management, maintenance, charter and tour operations, Intercity and SkyDrive services, and stakeholder relationships.
• You’ll ensure we meet service commitments for Christchurch’s thriving transport network while identifying opportunities for business development and more efficient ways of working.
• A people leader who brings others with them
• Your leadership style matters. You’ll set the tone by being engaging, supportive and grounded in accountability and respect.
• You’ll lead a large team including supervisors, office staff, trainers and a significant driving workforce. You’ll be hands-on with recruitment, performance management, coaching, succession planning and culture building.
• Safety first, always
• Safety is non-negotiable at Ritchies. You’ll champion Health, Safety and Wellbeing, lead incident investigations, ensure all documentation is accurate and up to date, and model the culture of care we expect from every team member.
• Financial and administrative oversight
• You’ll manage depot financials including quoting, invoicing, payroll oversight, expenditure control and reporting. You’ll ensure financial accuracy and efficiency across all areas.
• Always improving
• You’ll look for opportunities to innovate, streamline and enhance performance, keeping the depot aligned with advancing technology, evolving industry standards and best practice.
• What you'll bring
• Essential
• 10+ years of operational leadership experience
• Proven ability to lead large and diverse teams
• Strong commercial acumen and planning capability
• Excellent communication and relationship-building skills
• Confidence juggling multiple priorities in a busy environment
• Strong computer proficiency
• A proactive, solutions-focused mindset
• Desirable
• Background in transport, logistics or operational environments
• Tertiary qualification in business or operational management
• Who you'll work with
• You’ll work closely with your Regional Manager, national support teams, depot supervisors, workshop teams and drivers, as well as customers, schools, tour groups and the wider Christchurch community.
• Ready to lead a team that keeps Canterbury moving?
• If you're a hands-on leader who cares about people, takes pride in operational excellence and wants to make a lasting difference, we’d love to hear from you.
• Apply now and help shape the future of our Christchurch depot.