Support Manager, Linton, New Zealand at Saab

, , New Zealand -

Full Time

Start Date

Immediate

Expiry Date

15 Jul, 26

Salary

0.0

Posted On

16 Apr, 26

Experience

5 year(s) or above

Remote Job

Yes

Telecommute

Yes

Sponsor Visa

Skills

Leadership, Line management, Integrated logistic support, Military training, Technical maintenance, Operational planning, Budgetary management, Stakeholder management, Team development, Performance management, Analytical skills, Problem solving, Communication, Training systems, Simulation technology

Industry

electrical;Appliances;and Electronics Manufacturing

Description

We are looking for a Support Manager to lead our Training Services team in New Zealand. At Saab, we constantly look ahead and push the boundaries of what is technically possible. We collaborate with colleagues around the world who all share our challenge – to make the world a safer place. What you will be a part of Our Training and Simulation Business Unit develops and manufactures training systems, primarily for military users. Our products are wide-ranging and include the provision of world-leading laser-based simulators for live instrumented training, force on target applications, virtual simulation capabilities and training services. Training & Simulation operates globally with more than 1200 employees in twelve different countries, and we are now expanding our footprint with new training facilities in New Zealand (NZ). Your future challenge Since Saab was started, we have strived to keep people and society safe. It is a basic human need to feel safe and, as we see it, a human right. Through systems and solutions that increase security, we can make this possible. By improving and updating technological systems and solutions, we increase security in society, for its citizens and for those whose job it is to maintain security. In the Support Managers role, you will use your leadership, knowledge, expertise and technical know-how to contribute to the training of the New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) supporting them to improve their requisite skills. Saab’s Training and Simulation Business Unit is imminently expected to be awarded a contract with NZDF to deliver operational and technical support services for Saab-delivered force-on-target systems across the spectrum of NZDF onshore Training Estates. It will also encompass technical repairs on in-service Live Instrumentation systems. Your role You will be based at our training support facility in Linton, whilst managing equipment deployed all over the country. You will receive full training to become the Subject Matter Expert (SME) for all matters related to the management, repair, maintenance, and operation of NZDF’s Saab-delivered force-on-target systems, as well as the repair of the laser-based simulation systems. These capabilities are vital in providing live-fire, force-on-force simulation, and training service support to the NZDF; As such you will be central to the training support set-up across the required NZDF locations. You will report directly to the Training Services Manager (TSM) who will be located at the Saab Training & Simulation Headquarters in Huskvarna, Sweden. You will lead and manage a 4-person service delivery team across 2 dispersed sites, whose collective role is to ensure the optimization of Saab’s products and provide effective support to the on-site training. As Support Manager for our NZ operation, you will play a key role in ensuring that Saab’s interests, and those of the NZDF, are met and maintained to the highest possible standard. You will manage and coordinate the maintenance and repair of all NZDF’s Saab-delivered targetry and live training and simulation equipment across all sites, ensuring they are maintained, distributed and configured to deliver the best possible training experience to NZDF. You must be open, loyal and honest, trust your co-workers and honor agreements, decisions and processes. The role is commensurate to a high-quality experienced former military leader with a strong analytic approach, and the capacity to find practical and pragmatic solutions quickly under pressure. Your main responsibilities will include Leadership and Line Management of 4 Operational and Technical Support Technicians based at 2 dispersed sites across New Zealand. Maintain and develop personnel competence through training, Individual Performance Management, career development and, in line with the TSM, salary reviews. Lead, motivate and manage the Saab NZ team, ensuring they have all the information, resources and support needed to succeed in their tasks. Develop the team, instilling Saab’s core values and compliance with Saab’s internal policies. Report operational status to the TSM in accordance with the quality procedures. Plan the operational support to the customer, coordinating with your team, and reallocating resources where necessary to achieve the best effect. Identify and resolve issues early so as not to impede the exercise tempo. Organize and lead the operations across both sites and ensure that they are carried out in accordance with the contract, local laws and regulations, and defined processes, policies and strategies Develop a strong relationship with the NZDF stakeholders and be their first point of contact for all training-related support requirements. Liaise and coordinate with exercise planners and leaders to maximize the effectiveness of Saab’s products and services on key training objectives. Maintain operational availability of all equipment in accordance with the agreed contract, carrying out routine maintenance and repairs as necessary. Ensure that the training systems delivered by Saab Training & Simulation are maintained and that the configuration is optimized. Ensure the spare stock holdings are fit for purpose and that they meet the requirements of the support contract. Act quickly on requests from the customer, fulfilling them where appropriate and finding alternative solutions when needed. Deploy on field exercises in support of NZDF providing field-based and back-office support. Skills and experience: Good understanding of Integrated Logistic Support (ILS) and how to implement it to achieve operational excellence. Experience of working in a military training environment. Good understanding of NZDF doctrine, organizational structure and training procedures. A strong drive and focus on delivery. Strong leadership and line management experience. Strong technical competence. Financial & budgetary experience. Excellent interpersonal skills. Full Class 1 NZ drivers licence required. Class 2/4 (heavy trade) license would be advantageous. Fluency in English and the right to work and live in NZ. Readiness to travel nationally without restriction. Occasional international travel, is part of the role. This position requires the successful applicant to be able to be granted access to NZDF military establishments and therefore requires that you pass a security vetting based on the current regulations regarding security protection. For positions requiring security clearance, additional obligations on citizenship may apply. For further information, feel free to contact the Recruiting Manager, Kevin Shearman kevin.shearman@saabgroup.com or the Human Resources Manager, Mikael Siebers mikael.siebers@saabgroup.com Applications must be submitted no later than Friday 1st May 2026 and candidates should be available for an in-person interview in Palmerston North during the week of 11th – 15th May 2026. Do you want to get to know our business and our people a little bit better? Here you can find some stories told by our employees. Kindly observe that this is an ongoing recruitment process and the position might be filled before the closing date of the advertisement. We look forward to your application! If you aspire to help create and innovate whilst developing yourself in a learning culture, Saab may well have the perfect conditions for you to grow. We pride ourselves on a nurturing environment, where everyone is different yet we share the same goal – to keep people and society safe. At Saab, you'll be empowered to make a real difference. Join colleagues worldwide who share one purpose – keeping people and society safe through innovative defence and security solutions. What makes that difference possible? You. We're a global leader in air, land and naval defence, civil security and commercial aeronautics, with approximately 28,000 employees across all continents. Our transformative approach combines deep expertise with continuous innovation – investing one-fifth of our earnings in research and development to solve tomorrow's challenges today. But technology alone doesn't create safety. Your perspective, your skills, your contribution – that's what transforms possibility into reality. Here, diversity strengthens everything we do. You'll find unlimited opportunities to advance your career whilst maintaining balance in your life beyond work. We're committed to creating an inclusive environment where every person can fully focus on what matters. Saab is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer – all qualified individuals are encouraged to apply and will be considered without regard to race, colour, religion, national origin, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, gender identity, age, veteran or disability status.

Responsibilities

The Support Manager will lead a service delivery team to maintain and optimize Saab's training and simulation equipment for the New Zealand Defence Force. They are responsible for coordinating maintenance, managing personnel, and acting as the primary point of contact for stakeholders.