Mechanical Leading Hand

Saputo, Inc.; Warrnambool; Hybrid; AUD 100,000 - 125,000; Full time

Job summary

Saputo Dairy Australia is seeking a Mechanical Leading Hand to join the Allansford Reliability Team on-site in Warrnambool, VIC. You will lead the mechanical maintenance team, coordinate priorities, and actively engage in complex repairs to improve plant reliability.

The role requires a Certificate III/IV in Engineering - Mechanical Trade, strong fault-finding skills, and prior leadership or coordination experience in a manufacturing setting.

Qualifications

• Certificate III or IV in Engineering - Mechanical Trade is essential.
• Strong mechanical fault-finding and problem-solving capability.
• Experience leading teams or coordinating work in a manufacturing setting is valued.

Responsibilities

• Provide day-to-day leadership, direction and technical support to the mechanical maintenance team.
• Coordinate daily maintenance priorities, allocations, breakdown response and shutdown activities.
• Take a hands-on role during equipment breakdowns and critical maintenance tasks.
• Coach tradespeople and drive preventative and predictive maintenance improvements.

Skills

Leadership

Mechanical fault-finding

Coordination

Education

Certificate III/IV in Engineering - Mechanical Trade

Tools

SAP PM

Job description

## Mechanical Leading HandApply: On-Site: Warrnambool, VIC: Full time: Posted Today: End Date: October 28, 2026 (12 days left to apply): JR66654At Saputo, we bring good to the table by making high-quality products, investing in our people, and supporting communities around the world . As a top 10 global dairy processor, we value contributions that matter and strive to foster an inclusive, growth-driven work environment. Ready to bring your best?**How you will make contributions that matter**We have an exciting opportunity for a Mechanical Leading Hand to join our Reliability team at Allansford. Combining hands-on maintenance with frontline leadership, you’ll coordinate the mechanical team, lead breakdown response and help drive safer, more reliable plant performance. **Your responsibilities will include:*** Providing day-to-day leadership, direction and technical support to the mechanical maintenance team.* Coordinating daily maintenance priorities, work allocation, breakdown response, call-outs and shutdown activities.* Taking a hands-on role during equipment breakdowns, complex repairs and critical maintenance activities.* Coaching and mentoring tradespeople through technical guidance, knowledge sharing and on-the-job development.* Driving preventative and predictive maintenance improvements to reduce recurring failures, equipment risks and operational losses.* Maintaining accurate records in SAP PM while ensuring work meets safety, food safety, quality, hygiene and GMP requirements. **About you*** Certificate III or IV in Engineering - Mechanical Trade is essential.* Previous maintenance experience within manufacturing, food processing, dairy or a similar operational environment.* Previous leadership, work coordination or acting-supervisor experience will be highly regarded, but is not essential.* Strong mechanical fault-finding, analytical thinking and practical problem-solving capability.* The ability to prioritise competing demands, coordinate work effectively and remain composed during breakdowns.* A collaborative leadership style, with the ability to coach and develop tradespeople while working effectively across operational teams.If you believe you can provide strong technical leadership and make a strong contribution to our Allansford Reliability Team, please click Apply to submit your application. Applications will be scheduled to close on October 28th. Saputo Dairy Australia is an equal opportunity employer. Applicants must have full Australian working rights.