Workshop Manager / Production Manager

Rocklea, QLD

$110,000 – $120,000 + Super

Full-time, Permanent (Site-Based)

The Opportunity

A key leadership position within a well-established steel fabrication and manufacturing business, responsible for end-to-end workshop operations, production output, and workforce performance. This role sits across production, HSE, quality, and planning — with full accountability for ensuring fabrication activities are executed safely, efficiently, and in line with stringent quality and delivery standards. You will lead a multi-disciplinary team across supervisors, leading hands, and support functions, driving performance against defined KPI’s while embedding structured processes, continuous improvement, and strong cultural leadership.

Core Responsibilities

Production Leadership & Planning

- Own and actively manage the production plan, ensuring labour, equipment, and work centres are optimally allocated across all active jobs
- Continuously monitor production progress, adjusting resourcing and sequencing to maintain DIFOT commitments and throughput targets
- Drive adherence to production schedules, ensuring capacity utilisation across work centres remains consistently above target levels
- Collaborate closely with planning, admin, and supply chain to ensure material availability and workflow alignment

Workshop Operations & Performance

- Lead daily workshop operations across fabrication, welding, and finishing activities
- Manage production performance against measurable KPI’s including:
- DIFOT (>95%)
- Right First Time (>99.5% per process)
- Productivity vs estimated hours (>90% baseline)
- Capacity utilisation (>95%)
- Rework / NCR impact (<1% of production time)
- Analyse variances between estimated vs actual production performance, implementing corrective actions

HSE Management & Compliance





- Champion a safety-first culture across all workshop activities
- Ensure compliance with SWMS, SOPs, and all relevant safety procedures
- Oversee pre-starts, operator maintenance, and safe system of work adherence
- Work closely with HSE and HR to maintain competency matrices, licensing, and refresher training requirements
- Conduct risk assessments, toolbox talks, and incident investigations as required

Quality & Fabrication Standards

- Ensure all fabrication and welding activities meet defined quality standards, tolerances, and specifications
- Oversee implementation and compliance with ITPs (Inspection & Test Plans), hold points, and QA documentation
- Maintain strict control over non-conformances, including root cause analysis and corrective/preventative actions
- Ensure traceability and documentation is maintained in line with internal and ISO-aligned systems

Technical Oversight

- Provide hands‑on technical leadership across structural steel fabrication and welding processes (MIG, FCAW, Stick, etc.)
- Interpret and validate shop drawings, fabrication drawings, and welding symbols
- Ensure correct application of relevant Australian Standards (e.g. AS/NZS 1554, AS 4100, ISO 3834)
- Support resolution of complex fabrication or production issues

People Leadership

- Lead, coach, and develop a large workshop team (including supervisors and trades), driving accountability and performance
- Manage performance, behaviour, and disciplinary processes where required
- Build a high‑performance culture aligned to safety, quality,



and delivery outcomes
- Mentor emerging leaders within the workshop structure

Cross‑Functional Coordination

- Participate in S&OP; / operations meetings, providing accurate updates on production status, risks, and constraints
- Coordinate closely with transport/logistics to ensure delivery commitments are met
- Ensure timely flow of QC and production documentation to support downstream functions (admin, invoicing, etc.)

About You

- Trade‑qualified in Boilermaking, Fabrication, or Welding (Cert III minimum)
- Proven experience leading fabrication/workshop operations within structural steel or heavy manufacturing
- Strong working knowledge of welding processes, fabrication tolerances, and workshop sequencing
- Demonstrated ability to manage production planning, scheduling, and resource allocation in a live environment
- Experience leading large teams (multi‑shift environments advantageous)
- Strong understanding of HSE systems, risk management, and compliance frameworks
- Data‑driven mindset with the ability to interpret production metrics and drive performance improvements

Highly Regarded

- Welding Supervisor / Inspector qualifications (AS 1796 / AS 2214)
- Exposure to ISO 9001 quality systems and structured QA processes
- Strong understanding of LEAN manufacturing principles and CI methodologies
- High Risk Work Licences (Forklift, Dogging, Rigging)
- Experience across estimating, planning, or broader operations functions

Why Join

- Senior leadership role with full operational ownership of a busy fabrication workshop
- Stable, privately owned business with strong project pipeline
- Family‑oriented culture with low bureaucracy and rapid decision‑making
- Opportunity to drive real change across systems, processes, and performance

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