Manufacturing Manager

Austin Engineering Ltd; Western Australia; On-site; AUD 150,000 - 210,000; Full time

Job summary

Austin Engineering Ltd is seeking an experienced Manufacturing Manager for our Perth facility in Kewdale. You will lead day‑to‑day operations, drive safety, productivity and quality, and manage a large, skilled workforce in a heavy fabrication environment.

You will collaborate with engineering, planning, procurement and customers to deliver projects on time, within budget and to the highest standards, while pursuing continuous improvement and cost efficiency.

Qualifications

• Trade qualification in Boilermaking, Fabrication or Welding and engineering background.
• Formal leadership/management qualification is desirable.
• Extensive experience in heavy fabrication, mining services or heavy industry with large workshops.

Responsibilities

• Oversee day‑to‑day operations of the Perth manufacturing facility in Kewdale.
• Drive safety, productivity, quality and cost targets across the operation.
• Lead Lean initiatives including 5S, workflow optimisation and waste reduction.
• Manage budgets, OPEX and capital expenditure for the site.
• Develop and coach supervisors and team leaders to build capability and succession.

Skills

Leadership

Lean manufacturing

Safety culture

People management

ERP/scheduling systems

Education

Boilermaking/Fabrication/Welding trade qualification

Engineering qualification

Formal management qualification (desirable)

Tools

ERP systems

Job description

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.

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 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

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.
• 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 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.
  

Apply Now

If you are a proven manufacturing leader with a passion for safety, operational excellence and developing high-performing teams, we would like to hear from you. Join Austin Engineering and play a key role in shaping the future of Western Australia's largest bucket manufacturing and repair facility.