Factory Activity Manager

Sonder Executive; Bathurst; On-site; AUD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Sonder Executive is looking for a dynamic project-lead to drive factory delivery across Bathurst, with options for Melbourne or on-site at the head office. You will connect production, engineering, quality, safety, and planning to deliver strategic factory projects from concept to implementation.

In this role, you will manage timelines, lead a cross-functional task group, and escalate risks early while ensuring alignment with senior leaders and the business plan.

Qualifications

• 1 to 5 years' experience in manufacturing or delivering projects with manufacturing sites.
• Experience in FMCG, food, beverage, pharma or similar fast-paced manufacturing.
• Exceptional stakeholder management and ability to influence without formal authority.

Responsibilities

• Own factory delivery across the full project portfolio, including innovation and launches.
• Build and maintain project timelines with clear requirements and resourcing.
• Lead the Factory Activity Task Group, run focused meetings and track actions.
• Manage factory risk with risk assessments and contingency plans.
• Partner with market and project teams across ANZ for alignment.
• Report project status, risks and decisions through planning forums.
• Own product specifications, workflows and launch data for readiness.

Skills

Stakeholder management

Organisational skills

Project leadership

Strategic influence

Education

Engineering/science/business degree

Job description

Our client is a global FMCG manufacturer with some of the best known brands in the world and a reputation for investing in both its people and plant. This role sits in one of their key categories, which runs highly automated manufacturing operations of significant scale, and a strong pipeline of innovation, new products and strategic site projects makes this a busy and rewarding time to join.

The Role

Reporting to the PMO Director, this is one of the most connected and influential roles supporting the factory. You will work with every factory function, including production, engineering, quality, safety, supply chain and planning, and act as the link between business priorities and what can practically be delivered on the factory floor. You'll own factory project delivery from small changes through to large strategic business initiatives, leading teams across functions, managing risk and influencing senior leaders without relying on formal authority.

This vacancy is responsible for factory activity delivery at Bathurst and can be based in Bathurst or at the Melbourne head office, with regular time on site. A second Factory Activity Manager role supporting the Wodonga site is planned for a January start, so we would love to hear from candidates in or near any of the three locations. Specifically, your responsibilities will include:

• Own factory delivery across the full project portfolio, including innovation and new product launches, value leadership and cost saving initiatives, business continuity, compliance and other strategic factory projects, from concept through to implementation
• Build and maintain project timelines that make requirements, dependencies and resourcing clear to everyone involved
• Lead the Factory Activity Task Group, setting the rhythm, running focused meetings and holding stakeholders accountable for actions and due dates
• Manage factory risk by running risk assessments, developing practical contingency plans and escalating issues early
• Partner with market and project teams across ANZ, challenging constructively and creating alignment so that what is promised to the business can actually be delivered on the floor
• Report project status, risks and decisions through the site's planning and governance forums
• Own the product specifications, workflows and launch data needed to support artwork, operational readiness and successful implementation

Your Background

We are less focused on a specific title and more interested in someone dynamic with strong manufacturing experience, or significant experience delivering projects in partnership with manufacturing sites. Above all, you will be an exceptional stakeholder manager who builds credibility quickly and backs yourself to get outcomes across a broad range of stakeholders. The scope is broad and highly visible, so this suits someone looking for a project leadership role with real influence across the manufacturing plant.

• 1 to 5 years' experience in manufacturing, or in delivering projects in partnership with manufacturing sites. Your background could be production, engineering, quality, planning, supply chain, continuous improvement or projects
• FMCG, food, beverage, pharmaceutical or any fast-paced manufacturing environment will be highly regarded
• Exceptional stakeholder management skills, with the confidence to navigate competing priorities, have direct conversations with senior leaders and challenge constructively when something won't work
• Someone who creates alignment and momentum without relying on formal authority, drives things forward and closes the loop rather than waiting to be told what to do
• Strong organisation skills and the ability to juggle several projects without losing detail
• A tertiary qualification in engineering, science, business or a related field is preferred

What's On Offer

• A 12-month fixed-term contract with a world class manufacturer and the possibility to extend depending on available opportunities
• Broad exposure across every function on site and across the ANZ business
• A highly visible project leadership role where your work is seen by senior leaders
• Flexibility on location across Bathurst, Melbourne or Wodonga
• Joining an organisation that has a long-term vision and truly cares about its people.