Lead Manufacturing Excellence in Defence & Rail Manufacturing

We are seeking an experienced and results-driven Advanced Manufacturing Manager to lead our manufacturing operations and drive operational excellence across our business. This role is ideally suited to a manufacturing leader with experience in the Defence and/or Rail industries, where quality, compliance, precision, and on‑time delivery are critical to success.

The successful candidate will bring a strong background in production planning, process optimisation, quality management, and team leadership, along with hands‑on experience working with ERP systems to support manufacturing operations and business performance.

Key Responsibilities

Production Planning & Scheduling

- Develop and implement production plans to meet customer demand and inventory targets.
- Create and manage production schedules, ensuring optimal resource utilisation and on‑time delivery.
- Monitor production performance and adjust plans to meet project milestones and customer requirements.
- Utilise ERP systems to support planning, scheduling, forecasting, and reporting activities.

Process Optimisation & Continuous Improvement

- Evaluate and improve manufacturing processes to enhance efficiency, reduce costs, and increase productivity.
- Drive Lean Manufacturing, continuous improvement, and operational excellence initiatives across the business.
- Standardise and document best‑practice manufacturing processes.

Quality Management & Compliance

- Establish and maintain rigorous quality control measures to ensure products meet or exceed industry standards.
- Ensure compliance with applicable Defence, Rail,



and customer‑specific quality requirements.
- Collaborate with Quality Assurance teams to implement corrective and preventative actions.
- Support regulatory, customer, and certification audits as required.

Team Leadership

- Lead, mentor, and develop a team of manufacturing professionals.
- Foster a cooperative, accountable, and safety‑focused culture.
- Provide coaching, performance management, and development opportunities for team members.
- Encourage cross‑functional collaboration between engineering, quality, procurement, and operations teams.

Resource Management

- Manage production resources including equipment, materials, tooling, and personnel.
- Collaborate with procurement and logistics teams to maintain a reliable and efficient supply chain.
- Optimise resource allocation to minimise downtime and maximise productivity.

Health, Safety & Risk Management

- Promote and enforce workplace health and safety standards.
- Conduct regular safety inspections, risk assessments, and training programs.
- Ensure compliance with all legislative, customer, and company safety requirements.

Budgeting & Cost Control

- Develop and manage manufacturing budgets in collaboration with Finance.




- Monitor operational performance and identify cost reduction opportunities without compromising quality or delivery.
- Track and report on key manufacturing KPIs.

About You

To be successful in this role, you will have:

- Extensive experience in a Manufacturing Manager, Operations Manager, Production Manager, or similar leadership role.
- Proven experience within the Defence, Rail, or other highly regulated manufacturing environments.
- Strong understanding of ERP systems (Odoo, Proshop, or something similar) and their application within manufacturing operations.
- Demonstrated success in production planning, scheduling, quality management, and process improvement.
- Strong knowledge of Lean Manufacturing, Continuous Improvement, or Operational Excellence methodologies.
- Experience managing multidisciplinary teams and driving high performance.
- Excellent communication, stakeholder management, and problem‑solving skills.
- A strong understanding of quality systems, compliance requirements, and manufacturing best practices.
- Tertiary qualifications in Engineering, Manufacturing, Operations Management, or a related discipline.

Why Join Us?

- Work with a growing organisation supporting critical Defence and Rail projects.
- Lead strategic manufacturing initiatives and influence operational performance.
- Join a cooperative team focused on innovation, quality, and continuous improvement.
- Competitive salary package and career development opportunities.
- Make a tangible impact in a highly respected and technically advanced manufacturing environment.

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📌 Manager, Advanced Manufacturing (Bankstown)
🏢 Romar Engineering
📍 Bankstown