Production Manager

Engineering & Defence Manufacturing | Adelaide, SA

About Hephaestus Global

Hephaestus Global is a South Australian-owned engineering and manufacturing group based in Adelaide. The group brings together established specialist businesses, including Mitchell & Cheesman, Toolcraft Australia, Carr Fasteners and Sharman Shelving with capabilities spanning engineering, machining, tooling and industrial manufacturing.

Our businesses deliver precision engineering, defence manufacturing and industrial solutions across complex one-off projects and repeat production work. By combining experienced tradespeople and engineers with modern manufacturing technology, Hephaestus Global is continuing to invest in its people, capabilities and production systems to build strong and sustainable South Australian manufacturing

We are looking for an experienced and driven Production Manager to take responsibility for the day-to-day operation of our production facility and lead our team to deliver quality work, on time and efficiently.

This is a key role within the business and would suit someone who combines strong production management skills with a practical, hands-on understanding of engineering and manufacturing.

About the Role

Reporting to senior management, you will be responsible for coordinating and managing production across the workshop, ensuring jobs are completed safely, efficiently, to specification and within agreed timeframes.

Your responsibilities will include

- Planning, scheduling and coordinating daily production activities
- Managing workflow across CNC machining, fitting, fabrication and associated manufacturing processes
- Monitoring production schedules and ensuring customer delivery commitments are achieved
- Allocating labour, machines and resources effectively
- Managing priorities when production requirements change
- Working closely with programming, engineering,



purchasing and quality personnel
- Monitoring job progress, productivity, labour hours and costs
- Identifying production bottlenecks and implementing improvements
- Ensuring work is completed to drawings, specifications and quality requirements
- Maintaining high standards of housekeeping, safety and workshop discipline
- Leading, mentoring and developing production staff and apprentices
- Managing subcontractors and external suppliers where required
- Assisting with quoting, estimating and production planning
- Investigating production issues and implementing corrective actions
- Driving continuous improvement throughout the workshop
- Ensuring company procedures and quality requirements are followed

About You We are looking for someone who is organised, decisive and practical, with the ability to lead a production team while still understanding what is actually happening on the workshop floor.

You will ideally have

- Previous experience in a Production Manager, Workshop Manager or similar senior manufacturing role
- Strong experience within engineering, machining, tooling or metal manufacturing
- A sound understanding of CNC machining and manufacturing processes
- Experience scheduling multiple jobs and managing competing priorities
- Strong leadership and people-management skills
- The ability to read and understand engineering drawings
- A good understanding of production costs, labour utilisation and job profitability
- Excellent communication and problem-solving skills




- A strong focus on quality and on-time delivery
- The ability to work independently and make decisions
- A practical, “hands-on” approach to management

Experience working within Defence, Aerospace or other highly regulated manufacturing environments would be highly regarded. What We Offer

- A senior position within an established South Australian engineering business
- Chance to play a significant role in the future growth of the company
- A varied workload involving precision engineering, tooling and Defence-related projects
- A supportive and experienced management team
- Opportunity to implement your own ideas and improve production systems
- Long-term career opportunity
- Competitive remuneration based on experience and capability

The Person We Are Looking For This role is not simply about keeping a production schedule up to date.

We are looking for someone who can lead from the front, identify problems before they become problems, hold people accountable and continuously improve the way we manufacture.

You will be comfortable walking onto the workshop floor, talking to machinists and tradespeople, understanding what is holding a job up, and taking action to get production moving again.

If you are an experienced manufacturing professional looking for an opportunity where your skills and decisions can have a genuine impact, we would like to hear from you.

Our Company works in the Australian Defence Sector therefore a security clearance my be required for this role. The International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) also applies, meaning your nationality could affect your suitability for this position.

Only candidates living in Australia with full work rights will be considered.

Apply now with your resume and a brief covering letter outlining your experience and suitability for the role.

📌 Production Mananger (Windsor Gardens)
🏢 Hephaestus Global
📍 Windsor Gardens