Manufacturing Manager

Austin Engineering Limited; Perth; On-site; AUD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

Austin Engineering Limited in Perth is seeking a hands-on Operations Leader to drive day-to-day operations of our Perth manufacturing facility in Kewdale, overseeing heavy fabrication, welding and repair projects while building high-performing teams.

Reporting to the Deputy General Manager Australia, you will manage budgets, lead safety and quality programs, and collaborate with engineering, planning and procurement to deliver projects on time and within budget.

Qualifications

• Leadership experience managing large workshop or production teams in heavy industry.
• Proven ability to drive continuous improvement and operational efficiency.
• Strong technical knowledge of welding, fabrication and heavy mobile equipment manufacturing and repair.

Responsibilities

• Oversee operations and lead manufacturing and repair operations to achieve production, cost, quality and delivery targets.
• Monitor workshop performance, labour utilisation, productivity and costs, driving efficiency and profitability improvements.
• Manage workshop budgets, operating expenditure and capital investment.
• Drive Lean manufacturing and continuous improvement, including 5S, workflow optimisation, waste reduction and standardisation.
• Promote innovation, modern manufacturing practices and data-driven decision making.
• Lead a culture of safety, quality and accountability, ensuring compliance with HSE requirements and standards.

Skills

Leadership

Lean Manufacturing

Welding & fabrication knowledge

Education

Trade qualification in Boilermaking, Fabrication or Welding

Engineering qualification or equivalent

Tools

ERP systems

MS Office

Job description

About Austin

Austin is a leading global provider of innovative engineering mining solutions and products. Austin (ASX:ANG) is a leading designer, builder, and sustained (on and off mine site) of customized mining solutions for the world’s largest mining companies. Headquartered in Perth, Australia, Austin provides our partners across six continents, innovative and market-leading end-to-end mining solutions. From our facilities in Australia, Indonesia, Africa, Canada, America, Chile. Austin delivers a global and local presence in the world’s principal mining regions delivering high-quality, cost-effective solutions, delivered on time, and backed by a life of product support.

About Austin Engineering Austin Engineering is a leading global designer and manufacturer of mining attachments and engineered solutions for the mining and resources sector, including mining buckets, truck trays, GET systems, structural components and repair services. Our Perth facility in Kewdale is Western Australia’s largest bucket manufacturing and repair workshop, supporting major mining fleets with heavy fabrication, engineering expertise and customer-focused solutions.

About the Role

Reporting to the Deputy General Manager Australia, you will have overall responsibility for the day-to-day operations of our Perth manufacturing facility located in Kewdale. 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

• Oversee operations
• Lead manufacturing and repair operations to achieve production, cost, quality and delivery targets.
• Monitor workshop performance, labour utilisation, productivity and costs, driving efficiency and profitability improvements.
• Manage workshop budgets, operating expenditure and capital investment.
• Drive Lean manufacturing and continuous improvement, including 5S, workflow optimisation, waste reduction and standardisation.
• Promote innovation, modern manufacturing practices and data-driven decision making.
• Lead a culture of safety, quality and accountability, ensuring compliance with HSE requirements, company policies, Australian Standards and customer specifications.
• Deliver quality products
• Maintain strong relationships with customers, suppliers, OEMs and internal stakeholders to ensure successful project execution and a high level of customer satisfaction.
• Collaborate internally with senior leaders and functional experts in engineering, planning, procurement and quality to ensure drawings, manufacturing packages, materials and resources are available to support production requirements.
• Provide technical expertise and guidance to supervisors and trades personnel, assisting in the resolution of fabrication, welding and production-related challenges.
• Ensure all welding, fabrication, inspection and quality assurance activities are completed in accordance with relevant Australian Standards, customer requirements and internal quality systems.
• Lead and manage a large team
• Provide 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.
• Develop and coach Workshop Supervisors and team leaders to build capability, improve performance and strengthen leadership across the facility.
• Oversee workforce planning, recruitment and resourcing activities to ensure the workshop has the capability and capacity to meet current and future business demands.

About You

• 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.
• Experience managing operational budgets, financial performance and manufacturing cost centres.
• 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 Western Australia's largest 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 incentive 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.

At Austin Engineering our people are valued as vital members of our diverse and expanding workforce. We are committed to providing a safe, supportive and inclusive team environment, where learning and development are encouraged and promoted. The engineering industry is constantly evolving and so are we. Austin is a dynamic company that thrives on continuous improvement and innovation. And our people are our biggest asset—all 1,700 of us (and growing). Our success is only possible through the contribution made by our employees. We value the work of every person and strive to create a sense of purpose and achievement in all the work we do. We hire people that demonstrate the same standards of integrity, teamwork and commitment to excellence that we hold ourselves to. And we’re proud of what we’ve built together. Join our company and become part of a thriving global culture With Offices and facilities located around the world, our people can experience professional opportunities across our local and global teams. We offer a range of career pats to suit your skills and interests, from boilermakers and engineers to marketing, finance and administrative roles. We offer inclusive ad diverse work environments, with teams that share knowledge, challenge one another, and offer real leadership. We appreciate the time our people devote to their jobs. It's why we support their broader values and ensure they achieve the work-life balance they need. We believe in supporting our own, promoting people from within the organisation to help them reach the next level in their career.