Operations Manager -Manufacturing

Saxby's Soft Drinks; Taree; On-site; AUD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

Saxby's Soft Drinks Pty Ltd is a beverage manufacturing company based in Taree, NSW. The Operations Manager is a hands-on, functional leader responsible for the day-to-day running of production and distribution, working closely with the CEO to keep the plant safe, well-stocked and meeting customer needs.

You will oversee planning, purchasing, production, warehousing, order picking, logistics and regulatory paperwork with support from a dedicated administration team, aiming for minimal

Qualifications

• Experience in food or beverage manufacturing is preferred.
• Familiarity with Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) essential.
• Current driver's licence is required; forklift licence is desirable.
• Comfortable using computers daily, including the Microsoft Office suite.

Responsibilities

• Run the production facility day to day, ensuring output stays on schedule while maintaining safety.
• Plan and forecast production; order raw materials on time and in correct quantities.
• Oversee warehousing, order picking, logistics and distribution to ensure complete, accurate, on-time shipments.
• Lead, support and develop the production team and hit daily targets.
• Ensure workplace health & safety and food-safety practices with admin support.
• Provide practical support to leadership on grocery accounts, distributors and customers.
• Create production forecasts and schedules.
• Oversee ordering and receipt of raw materials with communication to Production Supervisor.
• Manage all logistics including timeslot bookings and liaising with transport.
• Conduct regular production meetings including WHS, with admin support.

Skills

Production leadership

Warehousing

Logistics

HACCP

WH&S

Forklift licence

Driver's licence

Problem solving

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

The Operations Manager is a hands-on, functional leadership role responsible for the day-to-day running of Saxby's production and distribution. Reporting directly to the Chief Executive Officer, the Operations Manager oversees planning, purchasing, production, storage, order picking, logistics and distribution, working closely with the production team on the floor to keep the plant running smoothly. The focus of this role is practical and operational rather than administrative. Saxby's has a dedicated administration department that supports the Operations Manager with regulatory and compliance paperwork, so the successful candidate can concentrate on running an efficient, safe and well-stocked operation. Success looks like minimal out-of-stocks, consistent and reliable production, and a safe workplace that consistently meets customer needs. This role requires that stock is available to meet customer orders on time.

Key responsibilities

• Run the production facility day to day, keeping output on schedule and the plant operating efficiently and safely.
• Plan and forecast production accurately, and ensure raw materials are ordered on time and in the right quantities to avoid both shortages and overstocking.
• Oversee warehousing, order picking, logistics and distribution so that customer orders go out complete, accurate and on time.
• Lead, support and develop the production team, acting as their direct point of contact and helping them hit daily production targets.
• Make sure workplace health & safety and food-safety practices are followed on the floor every day, with administrative and regulatory support provided by the admin department.
• Provide practical support to the National Sales Manager(s) and CEO on grocery accounts, distributors and other customers.
• Create production forecasts and schedules.
• Oversee the ordering and receipt of raw materials, allowing for lead times and keeping adequate stock on hand at all times, in close communication with the Production Supervisor.
• Manage all logistics, including timeslot bookings and liaising with transport companies and customers where needed.
• Conduct regular production meetings including Workplace Health & Safety, with support from the admin department.

About you

• Practical production and food-safety experience, ideally within food or beverage manufacturing (a background across the broader manufacturing or FMCG sector will also be well regarded).
• Experience in, or a good working understanding of, warehousing and logistics.
• Familiarity with Workplace Health & Safety requirements and food-safety practices such as Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points. Knowledge of HACCP is essential.
• Current driver's licence.
• Forklift licence (or a willingness to obtain one).
• Comfortable using computers day to day, including the Microsoft Office suite.
• Self-motivated and reliable.
• A practical problem-solver who can think on their feet to reach outcomes that work for both customers and Saxby's.
• Willing to suggest and implement improvements to work practices and procedures.
• Able to work under pressure and meet deadlines.

About us

Saxby's Soft Drinks Pty Ltd is a beverage manufacturing company based in Taree, NSW.