Operations Manager

FindStaff AU; Sydney; On-site; AUD 150,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation assistance

Competitive salary package

Autonomy and accountability

Job summary

FindStaff AU is seeking an experienced Operations Manager to lead a busy production environment in Hills District, North West Sydney. This hands-on role requires on-floor leadership, close collaboration with supervisors, and a focus on moving production smoothly.

Reporting to the General Manager, you will drive productivity, optimise workflows, coordinate labour and equipment, and push continuous improvement across processes and SOPs. This is an autonomous, on-site leadership position.

Qualifications

• Demonstrated experience leading on a busy production floor.
• Ability to troubleshoot and resolve bottlenecks quickly.
• Experience coordinating labour, workflow and resources.

Responsibilities

• Lead day-to-day production and operational performance.
• Maintain strong presence across the operation.
• Work with supervisors and frontline teams to understand floor activity.
• Coordinate labour, workflow, resources and equipment to maximise output.
• Identify production bottlenecks and recurring issues.
• Respond quickly when plans falter.
• Drive productivity, quality and operational efficiency.
• Coach and develop operational leaders and frontline teams.
• Identify and implement practical continuous improvement opportunities.
• Support ERP implementation and system improvements.
• Strengthen SOPs and performance metrics.

Skills

Hands-on leadership

Production optimization

Labour coordination

Problem solving

ERP familiarity

Job description

Hills District / North West Sydney, NSW | Full-Time

About the Opportunity

Our client is a well-established production business seeking an experienced hands-on Operations Manager to take day-to-day ownership of a busy operational environment.

This is not an office-based operations role.

We are looking for a leader who prefers to be on the floor, close to production, people and the day-to-day operation - seeing issues as they develop, working alongside supervisors and teams, removing bottlenecks and keeping production moving.

Reporting directly to the General Manager, you will lead the operation while improving productivity, workflow, labour utilisation, processes and team performance.

What You'll Own

• Lead day-to-day production and operational performance.
• Maintain a strong and visible presence across the operation.
• Work closely with supervisors and frontline teams to understand what is happening on the floor.
• Coordinate labour, workflow, resources and equipment to maximise output.
• Identify production bottlenecks, delays and recurring operational issues.
• Respond quickly when production, staffing, equipment or workflow does not go to plan.
• Drive productivity, quality and operational efficiency.
• Build accountability and ownership across supervisors and teams.
• Coach and develop operational leaders and frontline capability.
• Identify practical continuous improvement opportunities and ensure improvements work in the real operating environment.
• Support the implementation of a new ERP platform and improvements to operational systems.
• Strengthen SOPs, workflows, operating standards and performance measures.

About You

You are an experienced operational leader who is most effective where the operation is happening.

You understand that strong operations management isn't done solely through spreadsheets, reports and meetings. You spend time with your people, understand the production flow, spot issues early and get into the detail when something isn't working.

You will bring:

• Experience as an Operations Manager, Production Manager, Manufacturing Manager, Site Manager or similar operational leader.
• Strong hands-on experience in an industrial production environment.
• Experience in horticulture, food processing, FMCG, automotive, manufacturing or a comparable high-volume operation.
• Demonstrated responsibility for day-to-day production, people and operational performance.
• Experience coordinating labour, resources, equipment and workflow.
• Strong problem-solving skills and the ability to identify the root cause of operational issues.
• The ability to lead supervisors while remaining visible and connected to frontline teams.
• A track record of improving productivity, processes and operational performance.
• Experience developing or improving SOPs and operating processes.
• Exposure to ERP implementation or operational systems improvement will be highly regarded.
• Formal training or qualifications in Lean, Lean Six Sigma, Kaizen or a comparable continuous improvement methodology are highly desired, together with demonstrated experience applying these principles in a production environment

What's on Offer?

• Senior operational leadership role reporting directly to the General Manager.
• Genuine ownership of day-to-day operations and production performance.
• Opportunity to influence how the operation develops and grows.
• High level of autonomy and accountability.
• Competitive salary package.
• Relocation assistance may be considered for the right candidate.

We are committed to supporting National Reconciliation efforts through the implementation of our Reconciliation Action Plan, fostering respectful relationships and creating meaningful opportunities with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.