Assistant Production Manager

Chandler Macleod; Adelaide; On-site; AUD 95,000 - 107,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

KPI bonus (10%)

Career progression

Job summary

Chandler Macleod is seeking an Assistant Production Manager based in Hindmarsh, SA. This hands-on 2IC role supports the Production Manager, driving safety, quality and on-time delivery with ~50 reports and 5 team leaders.

The role offers a clear succession pathway and a KPI-driven bonus structure. You'll lead rostering, labour forecasting and daily production planning in a FMCG-focused, on-site operation, partnering with functional teams to optimise performance while maintaining strict WHS and

Qualifications

• Proven capability in rostering/scheduling within production/manufacturing.
• Strong people leadership: coaching, performance management, and leading team leaders.
• Sound understanding of production operations and service/quality delivery.
• Exposure to budgeting / labour cost control.
• Confident engaging with recruitment partners/agencies to meet workforce demand.
• Strong commitment to safety and legal/WHS compliance.
• Intermediate Microsoft Office skills (Excel desirable).
• Current driver’s licence.

Responsibilities

• Plan and schedule daily production to achieve on-time, in-full delivery and quality standards.
• Coordinate labour planning, rostering/scheduling, and labour forecasting to match production needs.
• Monitor performance data and coach teams to achieve daily efficiency and quality targets.
• Support and lead Lean/CI ways of working and continuous improvement on the floor (including 5S).
• Apply and maintain HACCP principles, ensuring non-conformances are controlled and corrective actions are completed.
• Partner with Service/Customer teams to ensure customer feedback is actioned promptly and service excellence targets are met.
• Assist with recruitment, onboarding, training, and performance management for production staff (including engagement with agencies as required).
• Work with Engineering to align equipment uptime, maintenance schedules, and production requirements.
• Ensure compliance with WHS policies, procedures, and reporting requirements.

Skills

Rostering & scheduling

Labour forecasting

People leadership

Production operations

Budgeting / Labour cost control

Recruitment partnerships

Safety & WHS compliance

Excel

Driver's licence

5S / Lean CI

SAP

XCM

Spindle

Tools

SAP

XCM

Spindle

Excel

Job description

Assistant Production Manager – Permanent | Hindmarsh, SA

$95k–$107k + super + 10% KPI bonus | 06:00–14:45 | On-site

This is a true 2IC production leadership role with real scope (~50 headcount) and a clear succession / progression pathway. You’ll be visible on the floor, driving safety, delivery and continuous improvement in a stable operation with ongoing investment.

About the role

We’re seeking an Assistant Production Manager to support the Production Manager in running day-to-day production operations, driving efficiency, quality, and on-time delivery. This is a hands-on, floor-based leadership role where you’ll work closely with supervisors and cross-functional leaders to deliver strong customer outcomes while maintaining safety, compliance, and continuous improvement standards.

Who this suits

This role is best suited to a current Assistant Production Manager (or equivalent 2IC in production) with proven experience leading teams in a manufacturing/production environment (FMCG highly regarded). You’re an extroverted, relationship-first leader with high energy and a growth mindset—comfortable building trust on the floor and lifting standards through others.

Please note:

this position is not designed as a first-time leadership step-up; we’re looking for someone already operating at Assistant Production Manager / 2IC level.

Team & environment

• Leadership scope of ~50 reports (direct/indirect) including 5 team leaders
• Some overtime may be required during peak periods

Key responsibilities

• Plan and schedule daily production to achieve on-time, in-full delivery and quality standards
• Coordinate labour planning, rostering/scheduling, and labour forecasting to match production needs
• Monitor performance data and coach teams to achieve daily efficiency and quality targets
• Support and lead Lean/CI ways of working and continuous improvement on the floor (including 5S)
• Apply and maintain HACCP principles, ensuring non-conformances are controlled and corrective actions are completed
• Partner with Service/Customer teams to ensure customer feedback is actioned promptly and service excellence targets are met
• Assist with recruitment, onboarding, training, and performance management for production staff (including engagement with agencies as required)
• Work with Engineering to align equipment uptime, maintenance schedules, and production requirements
• Ensure compliance with WHS policies, procedures, and reporting requirements (including payroll-related timelines where relevant)

About you (must-haves)

• Proven capability in rostering/scheduling and labour forecasting within production/manufacturing
• Strong people leadership: coaching, performance management, and leading team leaders
• Sound understanding of production operations and service/quality delivery
• Exposure to budgeting / labour cost control
• Confident engaging with recruitment partners/agencies to meet workforce demand
• Strong commitment to safety and legal/WHS compliance
• Intermediate Microsoft Office skills (Excel desirable)
• Current driver’s licence

Highly regarded

• Lean / Continuous Improvement tools including 5S
• Systems exposure: SAP / XCM
• Experience with Spindle (laundry operations / workforce software)

What’s on offer

• $95k–$107k + super + 10% KPI bonus
• Permanent full-time role with a stable employer and strong job security
• Internal progression culture, succession planning intent, and tailored development programs
• Facility upgrades/investment and a supportive team environment focused on safety, quality, and continuous improvement
• Early shift pattern supporting work/life balance

Pre-employment checks may include reference checks and other role-relevant compliance requirements.