Operations Manager

BrightSide Executive Search; Sydney; On-site; AUD 120,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

Our client, an established Australian spirits producer based on Sydney's Northern Beaches, seeks a hands-on operations leader to own day-to-day distillery activities from fermentation through bottling. You will lead a small production and warehouse team, optimise schedules, quality and compliance while collaborating with the commercial team on new product development.

This role offers autonomy, variety and direct exposure to customers and investors as the business scales, with opportunities to

Qualifications

• Experience in distilling, brewing, winemaking or beverage manufacturing.
• Strong understanding of production processes, quality control and operational workflows.
• Previous experience managing a production site or leading a small operational team.
• Practical mechanical aptitude, with the ability to troubleshoot equipment issues and coordinate repairs.
• Strong planning, scheduling and organisational skills, including managing multiple products and production timelines.
• Understanding of workplace health and safety, food safety and relevant production compliance requirements.
• A hands-on, proactive approach with the ability to work autonomously and take ownership of operations.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with confidence engaging with customers, investors and internal stakeholders.
• An honest, open and collaborative leadership style.
• A genuine passion for craft spirits, product quality and continuous improvement.

Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end distillery operations across distillation, fermentation, blending, bottling and warehousing.
• Manage production schedules, inventory, raw materials and packaging to meet business demand.
• Lead, coach and develop a small production and warehouse team, including casual staff.
• Maintain production quality, consistency and compliance across all products.
• Oversee equipment performance, troubleshoot issues and coordinate maintenance and repairs.
• Manage excise reporting, food safety, WHS requirements and relevant regulatory compliance.
• Drive continuous improvement across production processes, workflow and operational efficiency.
• Oversee the new product development pipeline and support product ranging reviews.
• Collaborate with the commercial team on flavour development, product trials and production scale-up.
• Engage with customers, investors and industry stakeholders, including representing the business at events.
• Maintain accurate production records, inventory systems, standard operating procedures and safety protocols.

Job description

Our client is an established Australian spirits business producing premium gins, vodkas, botanical spirits, liqueurs and whiskies. Based on Sydney's Northern Beaches, the business is known for its commitment to quality and innovation.

Reporting to the Managing Director, you will take ownership of day-to-day distillery operations, overseeing production from fermentation and distillation through to blending, bottling and warehousing. Leading a small team, you'll ensure production runs efficiently, quality standards remain exceptional, and operational targets are met.

This is a hands on, high ownership role suited to an experienced distiller, brewer, winemaker or beverage operations professional who understands production processes, has strong mechanical aptitude and can confidently run a production site. You'll work closely with the commercial team on new product development, flavour profiles and ranging reviews, while also engaging with customers, investors and industry stakeholders.

With the opportunity to influence production processes, contribute to new product launches and play a key role in the business's next phase of growth, this is an exciting opportunity for a practical, commercially minded operator who enjoys variety, autonomy and working in a close-knit team.

Role Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end distillery operations across distillation, fermentation, blending, bottling and warehousing.
• Manage production schedules, inventory, raw materials and packaging to meet business demand.
• Lead, coach and develop a small production and warehouse team, including casual staff.
• Maintain production quality, consistency and compliance across all products.
• Oversee equipment performance, troubleshoot issues and coordinate maintenance and repairs.
• Manage excise reporting, food safety, WHS requirements and relevant regulatory compliance.
• Drive continuous improvement across production processes, workflow and operational efficiency.
• Oversee the new product development pipeline and support product ranging reviews.
• Collaborate with the commercial team on flavour development, product trials and production scale-up.
• Engage with customers, investors and industry stakeholders, including representing the business at events.
• Maintain accurate production records, inventory systems, standard operating procedures and safety protocols.

Ideal Experience

• Experience in distilling, brewing, winemaking or beverage manufacturing.
• Strong understanding of production processes, quality control and operational workflows.
• Previous experience managing a production site or leading a small operational team.
• Practical mechanical aptitude, with the ability to troubleshoot equipment issues and coordinate repairs.
• Strong planning, scheduling and organisational skills, including managing multiple products and production timelines.
• Understanding of workplace health and safety, food safety and relevant production compliance requirements.
• A hands-on, proactive approach with the ability to work autonomously and take ownership of operations.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with confidence engaging with customers, investors and internal stakeholders.
• An honest, open and collaborative leadership style.
• A genuine passion for craft spirits, product quality and continuous improvement.

What's in it for you?

This is an opportunity to join an award-winning Australian craft spirits business at an exciting stage of growth, with the autonomy to take ownership of a production site and make a tangible impact on its operations.

You'll work closely with the Managing Director and commercial team, influence new product development, improve production processes and help bring innovative products to market.

For an experienced production or distilling professional who enjoys being hands-on, solving problems and running their own operation, this role offers the chance to combine technical expertise, operational leadership and creative collaboration within a passionate, growing business.