Job Description
Randstad Defence are seeking a driven Manufacturing Program Manager to lead a critical portfolio within advanced Defence and Engineering manufacturing operations.
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Reporting to the Portfolio Director, this pivotal leadership position sits at the intersection of high‐level strategy and operational execution. You will hold overarching accountability for a portfolio of complex, interconnected manufacturing projects, driving delivery excellence while balancing priorities, resources, and commercial growth.
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If you are a seasoned program or manufacturing leader capable of navigating multi‐project interdependencies, and shaping future business opportunities, this role offers an exceptional platform to influence Australia's sovereign defence capabilities.
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About the role:
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As the Manufacturing Program Manager, you will be responsible for working closely with cross‐functional technical teams and executive leadership. You will directly manage 3 Operations Managers while steering a broader indirect footprint of approximately 300 personnel across Defence Engineering, Manufacturing, Electrical, Electronics, and technical trades.
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You will:
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Drive Program Delivery: Direct manufacturing performance across cost, schedule, quality, and safety to ensure total alignment with strategic targets, corporate governance, and stakeholder commitments.
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Provide Portfolio Oversight: Lead robust, cross‐functional project and manufacturing reviews, establishing total performance visibility and proactive risk management.
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Embed Quality Excellence: Act as a champion for Advanced Product Quality Planning (APQP) principles, driving a culture of continuous improvement across all manufacturing streams.
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Optimise Resources & Interdependencies: Make high‐stakes trade‐off decisions,



balancing cross‐project priorities to optimise resource utilisation and streamline execution.
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Sustain Business Growth: Take ownership of the manufacturing pipeline by proactively identifying, shaping, and capturing new business opportunities to support continuous growth.
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Engage Senior Stakeholders: Build and leverage robust, collaborative relationships across key internal leaders, external customers, and defence industry partners.
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About You
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We are seeking an accomplished program leader who combines operational delivery expertise with strong commercial judgment and strategic vision.
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Your background will ideally include:
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Industry Leadership: A proven track record of managing large‐scale programs or project portfolios within Defence, Aerospace, or similarly complex advanced manufacturing environments.
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Interdependency & Risk Mastery: Demonstrated expertise in identifying, managing, and mitigating program‐level risks across complex, interrelated projects.
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Quality & Governance Focus: Hands‐on experience applying governance frameworks and embedding APQP or equivalent quality assurance systems.
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Commercial & Growth Mindset: Sound commercial acumen with a history of building trusted stakeholder relationships and actively expanding operational pipelines.
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Leadership & Influence: Proven ability to lead multidisciplinary teams, influence key decision‐makers, and drive a culture of performance and accountability.
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Security & Requirements
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Security Clearance: Australian Citizenship is mandatory. Candidates must hold, or be eligible to obtain and maintain, an NV1 Security Clearance.
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At Randstad, we are passionate about providing equal employment opportunities and embracing diversity to the benefit of all. We actively encourage applications from any background.
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📌 Manufacturing Program Manager (South Australia)
🏢 @
📍 South Australia