Chief Production Officer - NFP / Drive Performance. Make a Difference.

New Chapter Talent; Melbourne; Hybrid; AUD 180,000 - 260,000; Full time

Job summary

Waverley Social Enterprises is seeking a Chief Production Officer to lead production and operations across three sites and five divisions, with P&L accountability and a focus on sustainable employment for people living with disabilities.

You will drive productivity, strengthen systems, and develop leaders while fostering an inclusive, high-performing culture. Regular site presence and coordination with ELT are essential, with some days from home as operational needs allow.

Qualifications

• Senior operations leader with multi-site experience.
• Strong commercial judgement and track record of improving performance through people, processes and systems.
• Experience in manufacturing, packing and assembly, food production, logistics or diverse service operations, preferably in social enterprise contexts.

Responsibilities

• Lead production/operations across three sites and five divisions: Packing, Assembly, Catering, Grounds Maintenance and Onsite Labour.
• Improve operational performance with a focus on productivity, planning, inventory control and warehousing.
• Implement practical continuous improvement using Lean and 5S; reduce waste and simplify processes.
• Strengthen planning, stock visibility and reliable delivery; enhance warehousing operations.
• Collaborate with sales and the Executive Leadership Team to balance customer needs with capacity and commercial outcomes.
• Develop and empower managers, fostering accountability and an inclusive, supportive workplace.

Skills

P&L ownership

Executive leadership

Production planning

Warehousing

Inventory management

Lean

5S

Change management

Stakeholder management

Cross-site leadership

Job description

You know how to improve operations and production. You also know that lasting change starts with people.

This is an opportunity to bring both strengths to an organisation where commercial success creates meaningful employment for people living with disabilities.

New Chapter Talent is partnering with Waverley Social Enterprises to appoint a Chief Production Officer, reporting directly to the CEO and joining the Executive Leadership Team.

The opportunity You’ll lead production/operations across three sites and five business divisions: Packing, Assembly, Catering, Grounds Maintenance and Onsite Labour, alongside warehousing, logistics and procurement.

This is a substantial operational remit with real P&L accountability. You’ll improve productivity, strengthen systems and develop your leaders, while helping create a sense of joy and belonging for Waverley’s Supported Workmates.

Your impact Your first priority will be to understand the people and the business: what’s working, where the challenges sit and where improvements will make the greatest difference.

From there, you’ll:

• Improve operational performance, with a particular focus on packing, Waverley’s largest business division.
• Lead change with care, supporting consistent ways of working across sites and the introduction of new workflow and performance systems.
• Strengthen planning, inventory control and warehousing, improving visibility, stock accuracy and reliable delivery.
• Apply practical continuous improvement, drawing on Lean and 5S principles to reduce waste and simplify processes.
• Work closely with sales and the ELT, balancing customer needs, operational capacity and commercial outcomes.
• Develop and empower your managers, building accountability and confidence while maintaining an inclusive, supportive workplace.

Who we’re looking for You’re a senior operations leader with experience across multiple sites, strong commercial judgement and a track record of improving performance through people, processes and systems.

Your background could include manufacturing, packing and assembly, food production, logistics or a diverse service operation. Previous social enterprise experience isn’t essential, but a commitment to inclusive employment is.

You’ll bring:

• Proven P&L ownership and executive-level leadership experience.
• Strong production planning, warehousing and inventory management capability.
• Experience guiding teams through operational and cultural change.
• A practical understanding of Lean, 5S and continuous improvement.
• The confidence to build relationships with customers, colleagues and senior stakeholders.
• A leadership style that combines clear expectations with empathy, trust and delegation.

You can see the detail, make sound decisions and give your team the support and ownership to deliver.

Why join Waverley?

This role offers the opportunity to shape operations from the executive table and see the impact of your decisions across the business. You’ll help build a stronger, more sustainable social enterprise, one where improved performance supports meaningful employment and opportunity.

The role requires regular presence across all three sites, with some flexibility for one day a week working from home, subject to operational needs. A car is required for travel between sites.

Relevant qualifications or equivalent experience, plus NDIS and Working with Children clearances, are required.