Company Description Vacupack is a Melbourne-based, family-owned business specializing in end-to-end thermoformed plastic packaging solutions for over 40 years. The company is recognized as a leading Australian partner for full-cycle packaging, serving food, retail, and medical industries locally and internationally. Vacupack offers integrated services including packaging design, tooling, and production under one roof, supported by advanced machinery and technology.

Its teams deliver customized single-process and complete packaging solutions for some of the world’s most iconic brands that demand consistent, high-quality results. Candidates can learn more about Vacupack’s operations and culture via the promotional video: http://youtu.be/Rt17n1EyoHU.

Role Description

Lead measurable improvements in manufacturing performance and deliver the equipment and engineering projects that support the next stage of growth. This is a senior, hands-on role reporting directly to the General Manager and leading a small engineering and project team. You will own the manufacturing improvement programme and work across Production, Maintenance, Planning, Supply Chain, Warehouse, Design and Quality to turn performance data into practical, sustained improvements.

You will also lead machinery purchases, manufacturing upgrades and capital projects from initial requirements and equipment selection through installation, commissioning and safe handover to Production.

Key responsibilities

- Lead improvements in OEE, equipment availability, production speed, changeover performance and product quality
- Establish reliable performance reporting and identify the greatest sources of production loss
- Lead investigations into recurring machine, tooling, material, staffing and process issues
- Run focused performance reviews, agree actions with department leaders and follow through to completion




- Work with Maintenance to strengthen preventive maintenance effectiveness, reliability planning and critical spare parts arrangements
- Improve machine setups, operating standards, troubleshooting methods and technical capability
- Identify opportunities for automation, new machinery, equipment upgrades and improved production flow
- Consult with internal stakeholders to define equipment requirements, technical specifications, capacity, quality standards and operational needs
- Source suitable machinery and equipment, obtain and assess supplier quotations, compare technical and commercial proposals, and recommend purchases for approval
- Develop equipment layouts with the relevant teams, considering production flow, utilities, access, maintenance requirements and safety

About you

- At least five years of direct experience leading manufacturing improvement, operational excellence, reliability or engineering projects
- A proven record of delivering sustained improvements in OEE, uptime, throughput, waste or manufacturing cost
- Strong practical understanding of production machinery and manufacturing processes
- Experience specifying, sourcing and evaluating manufacturing machinery and equipment
- Demonstrated experience managing capital equipment or automation projects from initial requirements through installation, commissioning and handover
- Practical experience coordinating machinery risk assessments and implementing safe operating arrangements with technical specialists
- Confidence working with department managers, challenging assumptions constructively and securing action
- Experience leading technical staff, suppliers, contractors or improvement teams
- Robust root cause analysis, data analysis and project management skills
- An engineering qualification, or a relevant technical trade background supported by substantial manufacturing leadership experience

📌 Manufacturing Excellence & Engineering Manager (Melbourne)
🏢 Vacupack
📍 Melbourne