Plant Manager

Private Advertiser; Gold Coast City; On-site; AUD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

Private Advertiser on the Gold Coast seeks a Plant Manager to lead the Yatala site, balancing production, safety, quality and strong people leadership.

You will own day-to-day operations, drive Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, 6S and 5 Why problem solving, and monitor OEE, waste and uptime while managing budgets, maintenance and procurement.

Collaborating with HR and SHEQ, you will foster a safety-first culture and ensure site objectives align with customer expectations and continuous improvement.

Qualifications

• Bachelor degree in Engineering or Business is essential.
• Minimum 5 years in Production/Plant/Manufacturing leadership.
• Experience leading sizeable operations teams.
• Strong knowledge of Lean, Six Sigma and 6S.
• Experience using structured root-cause analysis (5 Why).

Responsibilities

• Lead overall performance of the manufacturing facility and objectives.
• Develop and manage production plans to meet customer needs.
• Coach and develop production teams and frontline leaders.
• Drive continuous improvement with Lean, Six Sigma, 6S and 5 Why.
• Monitor OEE, productivity, waste, downtime and efficiency.
• Collaborate with Maintenance on reliability and preventive maintenance.
• Oversee logistics, procurement and inventory activities.
• Drive OTIF performance and align output with requirements.
• Ensure SOPs and processes are followed and improved.
• Partner with SHEQ for safety, environment and quality compliance.
• Manage site budgets and cost-control initiatives.

Skills

Lean Manufacturing

Six Sigma

6S

5 Why

OEE

Budgeting

People leadership

Safety leadership

Operational planning

Education

Engineering or Business degree

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Join a business that truly values its people

Step into a rewarding career with a global leader in reusable industrial packaging, committed to innovation, safety, and sustainability.
We’re seeking a passionate Plant Manager to join our Yatala team, supporting operational excellence in a culture built on stability, professionalism, and integrity. This is a key leadership position responsible for the overall performance of the site, including production, people, safety, quality, maintenance, logistics, cost control and continuous improvement.

We are looking for a strong manufacturing leader who can balance operational delivery with people leadership and who is comfortable being visible and hands‑on within the plant.

Why Join Us

• Be part of a global organisation with strong local leadership and long‑term stability.
• Enjoy a supportive culture where safety, wellbeing, and growth come first.
• Access ongoing training and development opportunities.
• Work in a modern, safety-focused manufacturing environment.
• Benefit from competitive remuneration and a company that genuinely values its people.

The Role

As Plant Manager, you will take ownership of the day-to-day and strategic performance of the manufacturing operation.

Key responsibilities include:

Lead the overall performance of the manufacturing facility, ensuring production, safety, quality, cost and delivery objectives are achieved.

Develop and manage production plans to meet customer requirements and business priorities.

Lead, coach and develop production teams and frontline leaders, building accountability and a strong performance culture.

Drive continuous improvement initiatives using Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, 6S and structured problem‑solving methodologies such as 5 Why.

Monitor and improve operational performance through key measures including OEE, productivity, waste, downtime and efficiency.

Work closely with Maintenance to improve plant reliability, preventative maintenance performance and equipment availability.

Oversee logistics, procurement and inventory activities to support efficient manufacturing operations.

Drive strong OTIF performance and ensure production output aligns with customer and business requirements.

Ensure Standard Operating Procedures and operational processes are maintained, followed and continuously improved.

Partner with SHEQ to ensure compliance with all safety, environmental and quality requirements and foster a strong safety culture across the site.

Manage site budgets, operational expenditure and cost‑control initiatives.

Manage workforce planning, staffing requirements, labour utilisation and operational capability.

Work collaboratively with HR in relation to employee relations, performance management, industrial relations and applicable Enterprise Agreements.

Build a positive, accountable and engaged workplace culture where employees understand expectations and are supported to perform at their best.

About You

To be successful in this position, you will bring:

A tertiary qualification in Engineering or Business – essential.

A minimum of 5 years' experience in a Production Manager, Manufacturing Manager, Plant Manager or comparable manufacturing leadership position – essential.

Demonstrated experience leading sizeable operational and manufacturing teams.

Strong knowledge and practical application of Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, 6S and continuous improvement methodologies.

Experience using structured root‑cause analysis and problem‑solving tools, including 5 Why.

Strong understanding of production planning, OEE, maintenance, logistics, procurement and OTIF performance.

Demonstrated financial and commercial capability, including budgeting and cost management.

Experience managing employee relations and working within an industrial manufacturing environment.

Strong Microsoft Office capability.

Excellent communication, leadership and stakeholder‑management skills.

A practical, hands‑on leadership style with the ability to operate strategically while remaining connected to day‑to‑day plant operations.

Experience working with Dangerous Goods and/or hazardous substances will be highly regarded.

What We Offer

This is an opportunity to take ownership of a successful manufacturing operation within an established international organisation.

If you are an experienced manufacturing leader who enjoys improving operations, developing people and creating a culture of accountability and continuous improvement, we would like to hear from you.