Industrial Project Manager

Hickory Group; Melbourne; On-site; AUD 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Parental leave

Work-life balance

EAP (employee assistance)

Novated leasing

Career development

In-house team

Diverse opportunities

Job summary

Hickory is seeking an experienced Industrial Project Manager to lead the delivery of large-scale manufacturing facilities. You will work with the Development Team from planning through completion, ensuring program, budget and quality targets are met.

The role requires deep knowledge of industrial construction, robust scheduling, cost control and strong leadership across multi-disciplinary teams. You will manage governance, design optimization, procurement, risk, and stakeholder coordination,

Qualifications

• Must have large-scale industrial project experience.
• Strong planning, scheduling and cost-control capabilities.
• Proven leadership and team coaching experience.
• Excellent client and stakeholder communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Define Project Metrics: establish benchmarks for speed to market, cost efficiency, safety and delivery quality.
• Governance: implement scheduling systems and financial reporting across lifecycle.
• Design optimisation: review architectural/structural/civil designs for buildability and value.
• Early-stage coordination: align developers, consultants, authorities and trades.
• Procurement strategy: lead procurement for major structural, civil and services packages.
• Authority approvals: oversee permit processes and statutory approvals.
• Risk management: identify and mitigate delivery, supply chain and commercial risks.
• Operational readiness: drive site management plans for safety, QA/QC and handover.
• Master scheduling: program and monitor master construction schedule and milestones.
• Stakeholder alignment: run coordination meetings across project teams.
• QA/QC: implement rigorous industrial QA/QC processes and tolerances.
• Site leadership: conduct site walks and inspections to minimise risk and improve workmanship.
• Industrial machinery integration: coordinate services for machinery, MHE and robotics.
• Commercial variations: assist evaluation and negotiation of scope changes.
• Pipeline support: assist business development and bid activities.

Skills

Project planning

Scheduling

Cost control

Leadership

Client relationship

Stakeholder management

Risk management

Education

Bachelor of Construction Management

Job description

At Hickory, we don't believe in standing still, forover three decades we have continually invested in researching and developingsystems and products to improve the way we build. Our philosophy is 'Made forLife' - it's a commitment we honour, each day. Everything we do and everythingwe build is ‘Made for Life.' Whether it's refining our patented, prefabricatedbuilding products, developing more efficient and sustainable constructionpractices, or bringing expertise inhouse to supply critical components, wealways believe there is a better way. As a result, Hickory has become one ofthe most dynamic construction and property companies in Australia.

POSITION OVERVIEW

TheIndustrial Project Manager plays a critical role in driving the successfuldelivery of Hickory’s industrial pipeline. With strong knowledge of theindustrial sector and construction processes and design requirements focussedon large scale advanced manufacturing facilities, the successful candidate willwork closely with Hickory’s Development Team to manage works from earlyplanning through to completion, ensuring all elements come together to meetclient and project objectives. Skilled in project planning, scheduling, andcost control, they develop practical strategies and oversee their execution,keeping the project on program, within budget, and to the required qualitystandards.

WHAT HICKORY CAN OFFER

• Family-Friendly Policies: Receive paid parental leave to support your family needs.
• Work-Life Balance: Enjoy a balanced work-life schedule with a standard 5-day work week.
• Employee Wellbeing: Access our Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for valuable support and resources.
• Novated Leases: Take advantage of novated leasing options to maximize your salary and enjoy tax savings on vehicle expenses.
• Continuous Career Advancement: Unlock your potential through ongoing career development and growth prospects.
• Expert In-House Team: Collaborate with our dedicated structures and facades team.
• Diverse Opportunities: Gain exposure to a wide range of roles and industry leaders in our leading market company.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Define Project Metrics:Establish and drive clear project success benchmarks focused on speed to market, cost efficiency, safety, and institutional grade delivery quality.
• Project Governance:Lead the implementation of robust project governance, scheduling systems, and financial reporting across the industrial construction lifecycle.
• Design Optimisation:Review and influence architectural, structural, and civil designs with a strong focus on buildability, value engineering, and efficient cross trade coordination.
• Early-Stage Coordination:Drive early stage alignment between developers, consultants, authority bodies, and trade partners to derisk program timelines and eliminate design conflicts.
• Procurement Strategy:Lead procurement strategies for major structural, civil, and building services packages, including early contractor involvement (ECI), trade evaluations, and commercial negotiations.
• Authority Approvals:Oversee building permit processes and council/statutory authority approvals to ensure strict compliance with program milestones and industrial zoning guidelines.
• Risk Management:Identify and mitigate delivery, supply chain, and commercial risks specific to heavy industrial builds (e.g., long lead structural steel, ground conditions, slab performance, and power upgrades).
• Operational Readiness:Endorse and drive project site management plans spanning safety, quality assurance (QA/QC), staging, and final operational handover to industrial tenants or owner occupiers.
• Master Scheduling:Program and monitor the master construction schedule, ensuring critical milestones such as slab pours, structural enclosure, and hardstand delivery are strictly maintained.
• Stakeholder Alignment:Conduct frequent design, civil, and construction coordination meetings to keep internal and external project teams unified and moving at pace.
• Quality Assurance:Implement rigorous QA/QC processes specifically tailored to industrial requirements, including heavy duty flooring flat tolerances (FF/FL numbers), clear height compliance, and specialised loading dock installations.
• Site Leadership:Lead regular site walks and inspections focused on risk minimisation, safety protocols, and subcontractor workmanship.
• Industrial Machinery Integration:Coordinate and oversee the integration requirements, spatial allocations, and services provisioning for advanced manufacturing machinery, material handling equipment (MHE), and automated robotics.
• Commercial Variations:Assist with the evaluation, presentation, and negotiation of scope changes, ensuring clear impacts on cost, program, and services are fully documented.
• Pipeline Support:Support business development and the wider development team during client briefings, contribution to expressions of interest (EOIs) and early-stage industrial project bidding and site identification for future projects.

TO BE SUCCESSFUL IN THE ROLE

• Large scale advanced industrial project experience is essential
• Bachelor of Construction Management, Project Management, or equivalent
• Minimum of 7 years' experience the in industrial construction sector
• Effective client relationship management and stakeholder communication skills
• Leadership skills with experience coaching, mentoring, and developing project teams
• Financial management expertise, including budgeting, reporting, forecasting, and cost-control initiatives
• Strong project planning and scheduling skills, with the ability to manage scope, budget, and timelines effectively
• Proven capability in resource allocation and management across labour, materials, equipment, and subcontractors

Please note that we are managingthis search internally and are not partnering with recruitment agencies forthis position. We appreciate your cooperation and understanding.