Operational Readiness Manager

Asahi Beverages Group; Melbourne; On-site; AUD 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Asahi Beverages Group seeks an Operational Readiness Manager to steer a new automated distribution centre launch in VIC. You will drive readiness across safety, systems, workforce and operations, aligning program milestones with hands-on execution and go-live support.

You’ll coordinate cross-functional teams, manage risks, and translate plans into site-level actions, shaping scalable readiness for future sites across Australia and New Zealand.

Qualifications

• Experience leading large-scale operational readiness and site launches.
• Strong planning, scheduling and cross-functional coordination skills.
• Ability to influence stakeholders across levels and functions.
• Understanding of safety, compliance and risk in industrial environments.
• Proactive problem-solving to translate plans into execution.

Responsibilities

• Deliver end-to-end operational readiness activities aligned to program milestones.
• Coordinate site readiness including facilities, safety, systems access and go-live prep.
• Support commissioning and launch activities with testing and sign-offs.
• Translate integrated planning into practical site-level execution plans.
• Contribute to labour planning and workforce readiness.
• Develop SOPs, dashboards and performance rhythms.
• Identify risks and readiness gaps, elevating through governance.
• Interface between program teams and site operations to align decisions.
• Monitor early operations and identify opportunities to optimise flow.

Skills

Operational readiness

Site launches

Planning & coordination

Stakeholder management

Safety & risk

Communication

Education

Tertiary qualification in Supply Chain or Engineering

Job description

Lead the coordination and execution of operational readiness activities, ensuring the site is safe, efficient and fully prepared for day one and beyond. Working across site, systems, people and processes, you'll connect program planning with real-world execution - helping the operation successfully transition through commissioning, go-live and stabilisation.

As Operational Readiness Manager, you'll play a pivotal role in launching a new, highly automated distribution centre in VIC - bringing new-to-Australia automation to life.

You'll lead the coordination and execution of operational readiness activities, ensuring the site is safe, efficient and fully prepared for day one and beyond. Working across site, systems, people and processes, you'll connect program planning with real-world execution - helping the operation successfully transition through commissioning, go-live and stabilisation.

This role sits at the centre of a major supply chain transformation, with the opportunity to influence how future sites across QLD and NSW are delivered and scaled.

Key Responsibilities

• Deliver end-to-end operational readiness activities aligned to program milestones, ensuring the site is ready across systems, workforce, safety and operations
• Coordinate site readiness, including facilities setup, safety infrastructure, systems access and operational preparations for go-live
• Support commissioning and launch activities, including testing, dry runs, UAT and readiness sign-offs
• Translate integrated operational planning into practical, site-level execution plans
• Contribute to labour planning and workforce readiness, including DILO inputs, onboarding and training readiness
• Support development of SOPs, operational processes, dashboards and performance rhythms
• Identify risks, dependencies and readiness gaps, and elevate through governance frameworks
• Act as a key interface between program teams and site operations to ensure alignment and effective decision-making
• Monitor early operations and stabilisation, identifying opportunities to optimise flow and performance
• Support consistency and scalability of readiness approaches across future distribution sites

About You

You're a delivery-focused operations professional who thrives in complex, fast-moving environments. You enjoy turning plans into action, bringing together multiple stakeholders and solving problems to keep things on track.

You'll bring:

• Experience in operational readiness, site launches, commissioning or large-scale operational change
• Exposure to warehouse, logistics, manufacturing or automated environments
• Strong planning and coordination capability, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and dependencies
• Confidence working across cross-functional teams and influencing stakeholders at different levels
• Ability to translate operational design into practical, day-to-day execution
• Strong communication skills, with a focus on clarity and collaboration
• A proactive mindset, with a focus on identifying and resolving issues early
• Understanding of safety, compliance and operational risk in industrial environments

Nice to have:

• Experience working in large transformation or automation programs
• Exposure to labour planning, workforce modelling or DILO concepts
• Tertiary qualification in Supply Chain, Logistics, Operations, Engineering or a related discipline

At Asahi Beverages, we're passionate about crafting more than just drinks - we craft moments of connection, celebration, and shared enjoyment. We bring together a diverse portfolio of iconic beverage brands, a commitment to quality, and a drive to constantly innovate. Headquartered in Melbourne and with facilities right across Australia and New Zealand, you'll find Asahi is a place where talent is nurtured, and ambition is rewarded. If you're ready to toast your future, we're ready to meet you.

• Advertised: 13 October 2026 AEST