Group Operational Excellence and Learning & Development Manager

seek.com.au; Melbourne; On-site; AUD 140,000 - 220,000; Full time

Job summary

seek.com.au is seeking a Group Learning and Development Manager to drive operational excellence across manufacturing and warehousing in Victoria. The role focuses on leadership development, site capability, and company-wide strategies for safety, environment, and quality.

Reporting to the Chief Risk Officer, the role collaborates with site leaders, regulators (EPA, WorkSafe Victoria) and technical specialists to ensure compliance and continuous improvement across operations.

Qualifications

• 10–15 years’ experience in manufacturing, chemicals or energy.
• Experience across Australia and New Zealand and/or broader.
• Expertise in World Class Manufacturing and LEAN with demonstrated improvements.

Responsibilities

• Lead operational excellence and HSEQ training, competency and communications strategy.
• Apply World Class Manufacturing and LEAN to develop frontline capability for efficiency and waste reduction.
• Design and implement learning programs for manufacturing, warehousing and environmental operations.
• Manage LMS to track competency and training requirements.
• Establish training governance and report KPIs.

Skills

Leadership

Stakeholder engagement

Regulatory awareness

Change management

Tools

Learning Management System

Job description

Group Operational Excellence and Learning & Development Manager

A leading diversified industrial group providing end-to-end supply chain solutions across Australia and New Zealand.

We are seeking an experienced Group Learning and Development Manager with a passion for leadership and capability development to drive operational excellence across our manufacturing and warehousing operations. This role will play a key part in developing frontline leaders, strengthening site-level capabilities, and implementing company-wide strategies focused on manufacturing excellence, safety, environmental management, and quality.

About the Role

Reporting to the Chief Risk Officer, you will work closely with operational leaders and technical specialists to set the direction for learning and development across the Group. Your focus will span operational excellence and health, safety, environment and quality (HSEQ), building consistent standards while addressing the needs of each business.

The successful candidate will support critical operational assets across Victoria, working closely with site teams to ensure operational efficiency and regulatory compliance. The role will also involve engaging with key regulatory bodies, including the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) and WorkSafe Victoria, particularly in relation to Major Hazard Facility (MHF) requirements, to ensure compliance and continuous improvement across our operations.

Role Overview

A leading diversified industrial group providing end-to-end supply chain solutions across Australia and New Zealand.

We are seeking an experienced Group Learning and Development Manager with a passion for leadership and capability development to drive operational excellence across our manufacturing and warehousing operations. This role will play a key part in developing frontline leaders, strengthening site-level capabilities, and implementing company-wide strategies focused on manufacturing excellence, safety, environmental management, and quality.

Reporting to the Chief Risk Officer, you will work closely with operational leaders and technical specialists to set the direction for learning and development across the Group. Your focus will span operational excellence and health, safety, environment and quality (HSEQ), building consistent standards while addressing the needs of each business.

The successful candidate will support critical operational assets across Victoria, working closely with site teams to ensure operational efficiency and regulatory compliance. The role will also involve engaging with key regulatory bodies, including the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) and WorkSafe Victoria, particularly in relation to Major Hazard Facility (MHF) requirements, to ensure compliance and continuous improvement across our operations.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the Group’s operational excellence and HSEQ training, competency and communications strategy.

• Apply World Class Manufacturing and LEAN principles to develop frontline capability in line efficiency, waste reduction, focused improvement and maintenance optimisation.

• Design and implement targeted learning programs for manufacturing, warehousing and environmental operations.

• Work with warehouse leaders to strengthen capability in mobile plant and forklift safety, pedestrian management, materials handling, hazardous substances, and loading and unloading.

• Develop environmental learning programs that support compliance, reduce operational risk and drive continuous improvement.

• As a Victoria state based role, actively work with Victorian site to manage regulatory compliance with EPA and Worksafe. Responsible for managing process safety and environmental requirements across state.

• Establish training needs analyses and technical competency frameworks covering inductions, specialist skills, high‑risk activities and leadership development.

• Lead key programs, including organisational inductions, frontline safety leadership and HSEQ awareness initiatives.

• Maximise the use of learning management systems to track competency, monitor training requirements and support workforce planning.

• Create engaging learning resources and communications, including presentations, manuals, e‑learning and multimedia content.

• Establish training governance, evaluate program effectiveness and report on performance against meaningful KPIs.

• Manage training and communications budgets and engage with industry networks, regulators and external stakeholders.

Who You Are:

• At least 10 -15 years’ experience in manufacturing, chemicals or energy.

• Experience across Australia and New Zealand and/or broader

• Expertise in World Class Manufacturing and/or LEAN, with demonstrated improvements in operational performance.

• A broad understanding of the processes, risks and regulatory requirements across manufacturing, transport, warehousing and environmental services.

• A proven record of leading change and strengthening frontline HSEQ culture.

• Experience developing training strategies, competency frameworks and engaging learning materials.

• Proficiency with learning management systems and e‑learning platforms.

• Strong stakeholder engagement and communication skills, including presenting to clients, regulators and boards.

• ISO 9001 auditor accreditation.

• Strong organisational and time management skills, with the ability to work independently in a dynamic environment.

Interviews will commence as soon as suitable applications come through.