Job Description
Lead the performance of an established food manufacturing operation
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An established Australian food manufacturing business is seeking an experienced and hands-on Site Operations Manager to lead its New South Wales manufacturing operation.
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Reporting to a national operations leader, this position holds end-to-end accountability for site performance across production, warehousing, dispatch, site services maintenance and engineering activities.
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This is an opportunity for a commercially astute operations leader to take ownership of a complex manufacturing environment, build leadership capability and drive sustainable improvements across safety, quality, service, cost and people performance.
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The role
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As the senior operational leader on site, you will translate broader business plans into effective daily execution while developing an engaged, capable and accountable workforce.
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Your key responsibilities will include:
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Leading daily production, warehousing and dispatch operations
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Ensuring production plans, customer service requirements and quality standards are consistently achieved
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Managing labour, operational expenditure, productivity, yield and waste against budget
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Establishing clear operational KPIs and driving accountability across the site leadership team
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Optimising shift structures, labour deployment, line configurations and changeover practices
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Maintaining high standards of food safety, product quality, hygiene and audit readiness
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Leading site safety performance, risk management and compliance activities
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Working with maintenance teams to improve plant reliability and minimise unplanned downtime
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Owning inventory accuracy, finished goods management, stock rotation and dispatch performance
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Developing and delivering a structured site continuous improvement plan
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Identifying opportunities to reduce cost, eliminate waste and improve operational efficiency
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Supporting new product trials, product launches and capital projects
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Leading workforce planning, recruitment, onboarding, performance management and succession planning
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Building effective relationships with customers, suppliers, auditors, regulators and internal support functions
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Providing clear reporting on site performance, emerging risks and operational priorities
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About you
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You are an experienced manufacturing leader who is comfortable balancing strategic priorities with the practical demands of a busy, multi-shift operation.
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You will ideally bring:
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At least five years' experience in a senior operations or site leadership position
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Experience within food manufacturing, FMCG, chilled foods, meat or smallgoods manufacturing
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Demonstrated responsibility for production, warehousing and operational performance
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Strong leadership experience, including leading frontline teams and developing other leaders
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Proven budget ownership and experience managing labour and operational expenditure
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Sound knowledge of GMP, HACCP, quality assurance and food safety systems
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Practical knowledge of workplace health and safety obligations
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A strong record of improving productivity, controlling costs and delivering sustainable operational improvements
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Well-developed analytical, planning and problem-solving skills
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Experience using production management or ERP systems and Microsoft Office
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Exposure to Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma or structured continuous improvement practices
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A relevant tertiary qualification, or equivalent demonstrated industry experience
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A current Australian driver's licence and unrestricted working rights in Australia
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Leadership style
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To succeed in this role, you will be a visible and credible leader who:
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Sets explicit expectations and follows through on commitments
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Places people safety, food quality and compliance at the centre of decision making
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Builds accountability without losing fairness or respect
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Engages effectively with employees at every level of the operation
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Uses operational and financial data to guide decisions
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Addresses problems at their root cause rather than treating symptoms
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Remains calm and constructive when priorities change or issues escalated
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Communicates confidently with frontline employees, senior leaders, customers and auditors
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What's on offer
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A senior, whole-of-site leadership position
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Broad operational ownership and decision-making responsibility
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The opportunity to shape site culture, capability and performance
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Exposure to national business functions and cross-site improvement initiatives
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A practical environment where operational leadership can make a measurable impact
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A competitive remuneration package aligned with the scope and seniority of the role
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The successful candidate will need to be available outside standard business hours when required to support the operation and may occasionally be required to travel interstate.

📌 Site Operations Manager - Fmcg (New South Wales)
🏢 Important Group
📍 New South Wales