Manufacturing Manager

Nexans; Lilydale; On-site; AUD 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Nexans Oceania is seeking a Manufacturing Manager for the Lilydale site, overseeing ~100 staff with 7 direct reports. The role requires strong lean manufacturing, safety, quality and environmental leadership to meet production, cost and delivery goals.

The incumbent will drive continuous improvement, budget planning and capital programs while coordinating with Sales and senior leadership. Onsite duties apply with occasional after-hours meetings as needed.

Qualifications

• Proven experience in leading people on a manufacturing floor.
• Experience with quality systems and standard compliance.
• Strong mechanical and/or electrical understanding with project capability.
• Experience in continuous production and lean manufacturing.
• Demonstrated ability to lead safety, quality and environmental initiatives.
• Strong communication from shop floor to senior management.

Responsibilities

• Lead Safety, Quality and Environmental culture across the site.
• Drive Lean Manufacturing and continuous improvement.
• Lead production to meet output, quality, cost and delivery targets.
• Coordinate weekly production forecasts with Sales.
• Develop budgets and a 3-year manufacturing plan.
• Plan and implement capital programs aligned with site strategy.
• Foster cross-functional, customer-focused teamwork.
• Coach and develop manufacturing staff; manage performance.

Skills

People leadership

Machine operations

Quality systems

Mechanical understanding

Electrical understanding

Lean manufacturing

Education

Tertiary qualifications in Mechanical/Electrical/Chemical

Job description

INTERNAL VACANCY

Position: Manufacturing Manager

Roster: N/A – this is a management role that typically works Monday to Friday during standard business hours. Out of hours work may be required to met with shift workers on occasion which is expected to be at the discretion of the incumbent

Manager: Industrial Operations Director – PWR G&C

Location: Lilydale (Onsite)

Applications Close: 11 September 2026

Application Submission: CV and completed Internal Employment Application Form to HR Manager Operations Australia

Context

Nexans Oceania is a significant regional platform within the Group, covering Australia and New Zealand through a multi-site footprint that includes the Melbourne headquarters, manufacturing and operational sites, distribution presence and commercial teams across several locations.

The region serves Grid and Connect markets, supporting utilities, infrastructure, renewables, data centres, industrial customers and broader electrification needs. Since January 2026, the business has entered an important transformation phase under the leadership of a new Managing Director and a significantly renewed leadership team, with a strong focus on growth, commercial excellence, operations excellence, performance improvement, customer intimacy and acceleration in strategic market verticals.

Within this context, the role of the Manufacturing Manager is to lead and direct a team of approximately 100 employees with 7 direct reports to drive best practice in all production activities within the Manufacturing Plant. The role requires an excellent understanding of all engineering and technical requirements associated with cable manufacturing in a lean manufacturing environment. The role has responsibility for all activities related to manufacturing including basic maintenance of equipment and facilities as well as leading, Safety, Environment, Quality, Cost and Delivery initiatives

Responsibilities

• Lead and strengthen the Safety, Quality and Environmental culture across the manufacturing site.
• Drive Lean Manufacturing, continuous improvement and operational excellence throughout the plant.
• Lead production activities to achieve planned output, quality, cost, efficiency and delivery targets.
• Facilitate production meetings and coordinate weekly production forecasts with Sales.
• Develop annual budgets and maintain a three-year rolling manufacturing strategic plan aligned with business strategy.
• Develop, resource and implement capital programs that support the site strategic plan.
• Build a coordinated, customer-focused and cross-functional team environment.
• Lead, coach and develop manufacturing employees, including capability, performance and succession planning.
• Ensure compliance with legal, regulatory, corporate and departmental policies and procedures, and support industrial relations strategy and collective agreement negotiations with HR.

Essential skills and experience

• Tertiary qualifications in Mechanical, Electrical or Chemical disciplines are preferred; relevant business studies are also desirable.
• Proven experience in people leadership, machine operations, quality systems and standards.
• Strong mechanical and/or electrical understanding, with project management capability.
• Experience in continuous production operations and a sound understanding of Lean Manufacturing principles.
• Demonstrated ability to lead safety, quality, environmental and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to work effectively from shop floor to senior management level.
• Ability to lead organisational change, coach teams and manage individual and team performance.
• A proactive, flexible and customer-focused approach, with sound judgement, resilience and strong organisational skills.