Operations Manager

Aphise; Adelaide; On-site; AUD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Aphise is seeking an execution-focused Operations Manager to lead end-to-end project delivery across multiple concurrent projects in Australia. You will oversee 6–8+ direct reports and collaborate with engineering, manufacturing and commercial teams, while a separate Operations Manager handles manufacturing operations.

Success is measured by delivering on budget, extraordinary quality, on schedule and technical compliance within the BEST framework.

Qualifications

• Proven experience leading project or operations delivery in a technically demanding environment.
• Strong people leadership, coaching and team development skills.
• Experience managing multiple projects, budgets, schedules and resources.
• Engineering or technical understanding and sound commercial awareness.
• Confidence working directly with customers and senior stakeholders.
• A track record of improving processes and using data and KPIs to drive performance.
• The ability to work autonomously, adapt quickly and maintain momentum in a fast-paced business.
• Experience in defence, automotive, advanced manufacturing, technology manufacturing or export-oriented engineering businesses will be highly regarded. Defence experience is advantageous but not essential, and NV1 security clearance is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Lead multiple projects from planning through to completion, maintaining control of budgets, schedules, quality and technical requirements.
• Develop and motivate your team, building a culture of ownership, accountability and high performance.
• Manage resources, project priorities, risks and delivery bottlenecks.
• Establish practical systems, processes, KPIs and reporting to improve visibility and execution.
• Use data to identify issues, improve productivity and drive continuous improvement.
• Coordinate engineering, manufacturing, commercial and other internal functions.
• Build trusted relationships with customers, including sophisticated global OEMs.
• Professionally challenge requirements where technical or commercial concerns arise, guiding customers towards workable solutions.

Skills

Project management

Leadership

Budget management

Stakeholder management

Data & KPIs

Autonomy

Security clearance

Job description

Aphise is a recruitment consultancy based in Sydney, connecting talented professionals with businesses across Australia. We take a consultative approach, combining industry knowledge with psychology-backed assessments to help match people with roles where they can succeed.

About Our Client

Our client is an Australian advanced technology business delivering engineering and manufacturing solutions across defence, automotive, autonomous systems and other technically demanding markets.

With global customers and a strong focus on innovation, the business offers an environment where initiative, accountability and continuous improvement are valued.

About the Role

We are seeking an execution-focused Operations Manager to lead end-to-end project delivery across multiple concurrent projects.

Reporting directly to business leadership, you will lead approximately 6–8+ direct reports and work closely with engineering, manufacturing and commercial teams. Your responsibility is project delivery, with manufacturing operations managed by a separate Operations Manager.

Success is measured through the business’s BEST framework: On Budget, Extraordinary Quality, On Schedule and Technical Compliance.

Key responsibilities include:

Lead multiple projects from planning through to completion, maintaining control of budgets, schedules, quality and technical requirements.

Develop and motivate your team, building a culture of ownership, accountability and high performance.

Manage resources, project priorities, risks and delivery bottlenecks.

Establish practical systems, processes, KPIs and reporting to improve visibility and execution.

Use data to identify issues, improve productivity and drive continuous improvement.

Coordinate engineering, manufacturing, commercial and other internal functions.

Build trusted relationships with customers, including sophisticated global OEMs.

Professionally challenge requirements where technical or commercial concerns arise, guiding customers towards workable solutions.

About You

You are a proactive leader who takes ownership, learns quickly and turns plans into results. You combine technical understanding with commercial judgement and can keep teams focused across competing priorities.

You will bring:

Proven experience leading project or operations delivery in a technically demanding environment.

Strong people leadership, coaching and team development skills.

Experience managing multiple projects, budgets, schedules and resources.

Engineering or technical understanding and sound commercial awareness.

Confidence working directly with customers and senior stakeholders.

A track record of improving processes and using data and KPIs to drive performance.

The ability to work autonomously, adapt quickly and maintain momentum in a fast-paced business.

Experience in defence, automotive, advanced manufacturing, technology manufacturing or export-oriented engineering businesses will be highly regarded. Defence experience is advantageous but not essential, and NV1 security clearance is a plus.

What’s on Offer

• Direct access to business leadership and the opportunity to influence project delivery.
• Exposure to technically challenging projects and global customers.
• Responsibility for developing a team and improving business performance.
• An environment that values initiative, innovation and accountability.