Manufacturing Manager

Austin Engineering Ltd; Mackay Regional; On-site; AUD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive remuneration package

Performance incentives and long-term

Career development opportunities

Job summary

Austin Engineering Ltd in the Mackay region is seeking an experienced Manufacturing Manager to lead the Mainetec bucket manufacturing and repair facility. You will drive safety, operational excellence, productivity and continuous improvement across the workshop with a hands-on leadership style.

You will collaborate with Engineering, Planning, Procurement and Customers to ensure projects are delivered safely, on time and within budget, while coaching Supervisors and developing a high-performing,

Qualifications

• Trade qualification in Boilermaking, Fabrication or Welding, or engineering equivalent experience.
• Proven leadership experience in heavy fabrication/manufacturing environments.
• Experience managing large workshop or production teams in a heavy industry setting.
• Ability to interpret engineering drawings and manufacturing packages.

Responsibilities

• Provide strong, visible leadership across workshop operations and floor presence.
• Drive safety, quality and accountability, complying with standards and customer specs.
• Manage manufacturing and repair operations to meet schedules, cost, quality and delivery targets.
• Monitor performance, labour utilisation, productivity and costs; drive efficiency and profitability.
• Coordinate with Engineering, Planning, Procurement and Quality to ensure resources and drawings are available.
• Oversee workforce planning and recruitment to meet current and future demand.
• Provide coaching to supervisors and trades to resolve fabrication and production challenges.
• Ensure workshop activities comply with Australian Standards and internal quality systems.
• Review KPIs and drive continuous improvement, Lean initiatives and standardisation.

Skills

Boilermaking

Fabrication

Welding

Leadership

Lean Manufacturing

Quality systems

ERP systems

Microsoft Office

Safety culture

Communication

Education

Boilermaking trade qualification

Fabrication trade qualification

Welding trade qualification

Engineering qualification

Tools

ERP systems

Microsoft Office

Job description

About Austin Engineering

Austin Engineering is a leading global designer and manufacturer of mining attachments and engineered solutions for the mining and resources sector. Renowned for producing some of the world's largest and most innovative mining buckets, truck trays and wear solutions, Austin partners with leading miners and OEMs to improve productivity, performance and safety across mining operations worldwide.

Our Mainetec facility is a custom-designed bucket manufacturing and repair workshop, delivering new buckets, dippers, GET systems, structural components and repair services for some of the mining industry's largest mobile equipment fleets. Backed by decades of engineering expertise, Austin continues to lead the way in heavy fabrication, innovation and customer-focused solutions.

We are seeking an experienced and commercially focused Manufacturing Manager to lead this critical operation and drive safety, operational excellence, productivity and continuous improvement across the facility.

About the Role

Reporting to the Operations Manager Qld, you will have overall responsibility for the day-to-day operations of our Mainetec manufacturing facility located in Paget. This is a hands-on leadership role requiring a strong workshop presence, technical expertise and a passion for building high-performing teams.

You will work closely with workshop supervisors, engineering, planning, procurement and customers to ensure projects are delivered safely, on time, within budget and to the highest quality standards. This is a rare opportunity to lead one of Australia's premier heavy fabrication facilities, with responsibility for a large skilled workforce, significant customer projects and the delivery of strategic operational improvements.

Key Responsibilities

• Providing strong and visible leadership across all workshop operations, maintaining an active presence on the floor to support supervisors, troubleshoot issues and ensure work is completed safely and efficiently.
• Leading a culture of safety, quality and accountability, ensuring compliance with HSE requirements, company policies, Australian Standards and customer specifications.
• Managing all aspects of manufacturing and repair operations, ensuring production schedules are achieved while meeting cost, quality and delivery targets.
• Monitoring workshop performance, labour utilisation, productivity and operating costs, implementing initiatives to improve efficiency, reduce rework and maximise profitability.
• Working closely with Engineering, Planning, Procurement and Quality teams to ensure drawings, manufacturing packages, materials and resources are available to support production requirements.
• Overseeing workforce planning, recruitment and resourcing activities to ensure the workshop has the capability and capacity to meet current and future business demands.
• Providing technical expertise and guidance to supervisors and trades personnel, assisting in the resolution of fabrication, welding and production-related challenges.
• Ensuring all welding, fabrication, inspection and quality assurance activities are completed in accordance with relevant Australian Standards, customer requirements and internal quality systems.
• Reviewing and managing workshop KPIs, including safety, productivity, quality, on-time delivery and financial performance, while identifying opportunities for continuous improvement.
• Driving Lean manufacturing and continuous improvement initiatives, including 5S, workflow optimisation, waste reduction and process standardisation to enhance operational performance.
• Developing and coaching Workshop Supervisors and team leaders to build capability, improve performance and strengthen leadership across the facility.
• Building a positive, inclusive and high-performing culture aligned with Austin Engineering's Values and Code of Conduct.
• Establishing and maintaining strong relationships with customers, suppliers, OEMs and internal stakeholders to ensure successful project execution and a high level of customer satisfaction.
• Representing the Mainetec facility during customer visits, audits, project reviews and business improvement initiatives.
• Collaborating with senior leaders across the business to support strategic objectives, operational alignment and the continued growth of the Mainetec operation.
• Promoting innovation and operational excellence through the adoption of modern manufacturing practices, digital planning tools and data-driven decision making.
• Ensuring all workshop activities are conducted in accordance with company policies, procedures and legislative requirements.

About You

To be successful in this role, you will bring:

• Trade qualification in Boilermaking, Fabrication or Welding, Engineering qualification, or equivalent significant industry experience.
• Formal leadership or management qualification (desirable).
• Extensive experience within heavy fabrication, manufacturing, mining services or engineering environments.
• Proven leadership experience managing large workshop or production teams in a heavy industry environment.
• Demonstrated experience leading a culturally diverse workforce, with the ability to adapt communication styles, build strong working relationships and foster an inclusive, high-performing team environment.
• Strong technical knowledge of welding, fabrication and heavy mobile equipment manufacturing and repair.
• Proven ability to interpret engineering drawings, general arrangements (GAs) and manufacturing documentation.
• Sound working knowledge of AS/NZS 1554, AS/NZS 3834, ISO 9001, ISO 45001 and ISO 14001.
• Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma or 5S experience (desirable).
• Track record of driving continuous improvement and operational efficiency initiatives.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and manufacturing planning, ERP or scheduling systems.
• A passion for safety, continuous improvement and operational excellence.

What's in it for You?

• Lead Mainetec's specialised bucket manufacturing and repair facility.
• Play a key role in shaping operational performance, culture and future growth.
• Join a respected Australian engineering company supporting the global mining industry.
• Competitive remuneration package, including performance incentives and long-term incentive (LTI) opportunities.
• Strong safety culture and supportive executive leadership team.
• Career development opportunities within a growing global organisation.
• Opportunity to make a genuine impact on a high-performing operation and influence strategic business outcomes.
• Autonomy to drive innovation, continuous improvement and operational excellence across a market-leading facility.