General Manager Operations - Polyurethanes

CS Executive Group; City of Melbourne; On-site; AUD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

CS Executive Group in Melbourne is seeking a high-calibre General Manager - Operations for an established polyurethane manufacturing business. You will lead manufacturing, supply chain, safety, quality and continuous improvement while reporting to the CEO.

The role combines strategic planning with hands-on leadership on the shop floor, aiming to increase capacity, implement automation, and build a high-performance operational team to support future growth.

Responsibilities

• Lead full operational P&L, the day-to-day and strategic performance of manufacturing and operational functions.
• Translate the company's growth strategy into practical operational plans, priorities and measurable outcomes.
• Drive manufacturing output, productivity, capacity and operational efficiency.
• Identify and implement continuous improvement initiatives across processes, systems and workflows.
• Assess opportunities for manufacturing automation and lead projects from business case through implementation and commissioning.
• Optimise the utilisation of existing manufacturing space, equipment, resources and production capability.
• Develop operational plans and infrastructure to support significant future business growth.
• Lead and strengthen safety performance, ensuring a proactive safety culture, effective audits and timely corrective actions.
• Maintain high standards across quality, production controls and manufacturing risk.
• Build, develop and mentor a capable operational team with clear accountability and performance expectations.
• Manage operational budgets, manufacturing costs, inventory, productivity and capital expenditure.
• Develop strong supplier and commercial relationships and negotiate pricing, terms and sustainable commercial outcomes.
• Work closely with senior leadership to respond quickly to changing business priorities and market requirements.
• Contribute to long-term manufacturing capacity and site planning as the business continues to expand.

Job description

General Manager Operations - Polyurethanes

Our client is a highly respected Australian manufacturer specialising in advanced industrial polyurethane systems and equipment supplied to the mining, infrastructure, manufacturing and construction sectors.

Known for delivering innovative technical solutions, they have built a strong reputation for quality, customer service and technical excellence across Australia.

With an established manufacturing operation in Melbourne and ambitious plans for continued growth, the business is now seeking an experienced General Manager - Operations to lead its operational function through its next stage of development.

ABOUT THE ROLE

This is a senior, hands-on leadership opportunity for an accomplished manufacturing professional who can combine operational excellence with strong commercial and strategic thinking.

Reporting to the CEO, you will have responsibility for the operational performance of the business across manufacturing, supply chain, safety, quality and continuous improvement.

A major focus of the role will be supporting the organisation's growth strategy by increasing manufacturing capacity and output, strengthening systems and processes, developing the operational team and ensuring the business has the capability and infrastructure required for future growth.

You will assess opportunities to improve the utilisation of the existing manufacturing footprint, introduce appropriate automation and productivity improvements, and contribute to long-term operational and capacity planning.

This role will suit a commercially minded operations leader who enjoys being close to the manufacturing floor while also contributing at a strategic level.

Importantly, this role also offers a genuine longer-term career pathway, with the opportunity to be considered for broader General Manager leadership of the business as the organisation continues to grow.

YOUR RESPONSIBILITIES

Lead full operational P&L, the day-to-day and strategic performance of manufacturing and operational functions.

Translate the company's growth strategy into practical operational plans, priorities and measurable outcomes.

Drive manufacturing output, productivity, capacity and operational efficiency.

Identify and implement continuous improvement initiatives across processes, systems and workflows.

Assess opportunities for manufacturing automation and lead projects from business case through implementation and commissioning.

Optimise the utilisation of existing manufacturing space, equipment, resources and production capability.

Develop operational plans and infrastructure to support significant future business growth.

Lead and strengthen safety performance, ensuring a proactive safety culture, effective audits and timely corrective actions.

Maintain high standards across quality, production controls and manufacturing risk.

Build, develop and mentor a capable operational team with clear accountability and performance expectations.

Manage operational budgets, manufacturing costs, inventory, productivity and capital expenditure.

Develop strong supplier and commercial relationships and negotiate pricing, terms and sustainable commercial outcomes.

Work closely with senior leadership to respond quickly to changing business priorities and market requirements.

Contribute to long-term manufacturing capacity and site planning as the business continues to expand.

WHO WE'RE LOOKING FOR

We're seeking someone who enjoys building, improving and growing manufacturing operations, rather than simply maintaining the status quo.

You will be a visible and practical leader who is comfortable spending time on the manufacturing floor, understanding issues firsthand and working with your team to implement solutions.

Ideally, you will bring:

Senior manufacturing leadership experience ideally within polymers, specialty chemicals, coatings, adhesives, resins or a related process-manufacturing environment.

Strong commercial and financial acumen, including manufacturing costs, budgets, inventory, productivity and capital investment.

Strong people leadership skills with demonstrated success building, developing and motivating teams.

A strong understanding of manufacturing operations, raw materials, production controls and manufacturing risk.

Demonstrated experience improving and scaling manufacturing operations to support business growth.

Strong continuous improvement and operational excellence capability.

Experience assessing and implementing manufacturing automation and capital improvement projects.

Proven safety leadership and experience building a strong safety culture.

The ability to move comfortably between high-level strategic planning and hands-on operational execution.

Excellent attention to detail, planning and follow-through.

The ability to adapt quickly, make sound decisions and deliver outcomes in a growing and changing environment.

Strong supplier relationship management and commercial negotiation skills.

Experience specifically within polyurethane would be highly regarded; however, candidates from closely aligned specialty chemical and process-manufacturing environments are also encouraged to apply.

WHY APPLY?

Take ownership of operations within an established and respected Australian specialist manufacturer.

Play a pivotal role in delivering an ambitious business growth strategy.

Genuine opportunity to influence manufacturing capacity, automation, continuous improvement and future operational strategy.

Work closely with senior leadership and have a direct impact on business performance.

Lead a manageable operation where your decisions and improvements can make a visible difference.

Join a technically focused business with an established market position and significant plans for future growth.