NAPIER Port has announced the appointment of Kianoush Zia as general manager – container operations.

Mr Zia replaces Warren Young, who retired from Napier Port in December after more than two decades in the job.

Mr Zia is said to bring a strong background in logistics and supply chain management to the role, coming from a role as head of engineering and supply chain development – ANZ at Kraft Heinz.

Previously he spent time with McKinsey & Company, delivering operational changes for clients across 25 countries.

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He began his career as an engineer, working at Holden and Total Tooling Company before spending six years with Toyota across Australia and Japan.

Napier Port CEO Todd Dawson said he was looking forward to having Mr Zia as part of their senior management team.

“We’re excited to have Kia join the team,” Mr Dawson said.

“We completed a robust recruitment process for someone with the right mix of logistics capability, people and safety leadership and strategic nous. We’re looking forward to Kia making his mark at Napier Port.”

Mr Zia holds a Bachelor of Commerce in Finance and Economics as well as a Bachelor of Engineering, majoring in Mechanical and Manufacturing, both from the University of Melbourne.

He was raised in Australia and has been based in Hawke’s Bay for the past three years.

Mr Zia is to take up the role on Monday, April 6. “I am really excited to be joining the great team at Napier Port, I look forward to building relationships with our people and stakeholders while helping deliver value for the region and beyond,” Mr Zia said.