Production and Plant Manager

Trumps Pty Ltd; Brisbane; On-site; AUD 150,000 - 210,000; Full time

Job summary

Trumps Pty Ltd is a proudly Australian-owned, third-generation family business with over 80 years in FMCG dry food manufacturing. We seek a Production & Plant Manager to lead production, engineering and plant performance across our three sites.

The role requires hands-on leadership, a strong engineering foundation and a track record of delivering continuous improvement and operational excellence. You will drive safety culture, reliability, cost control and customer-focused outcomes, while

Qualifications

• Demonstrated leadership of production and plant operations.
• Experience leading multi-site manufacturing and ensuring consistency across locations.
• Strong track record of continuous improvement to boost productivity and reduce costs.
• Engineering background with practical manufacturing experience.

Responsibilities

• Oversee day-to-day production and plant operations to meet targets and quality standards.
• Coordinate performance across three plants and promote best-practice sharing.
• Improve workflows, planning, and equipment utilisation to maximise output.
• Lead continuous improvement initiatives using lean manufacturing where applicable.
• Oversee engineering and maintenance to optimise reliability and minimize downtime.
• Ensure HACCP/GMP compliance and food safety across sites.
• Develop teams through mentoring and performance accountability.
• Manage budgets, capacity planning, and resource forecasting.

Skills

Leadership

Manufacturing operations

Continuous improvement

Engineering background

Education

Engineering degree

Tools

ERP systems

Maintenance management systems

Job description

Trumps is a proudly Australian-owned, third-generation family business with more than 80 years of experience in FMCG dry food manufacturing. We are committed to quality, innovation, sustainability and operational excellence, with our people at the heart of our success.

As we continue to grow and strengthen our manufacturing operations, we are seeking an experienced Production & Plant Manager to lead production, engineering and plant performance across our manufacturing operations.

The Opportunity

Reporting to senior leadership, this is a pivotal leadership role responsible for driving safe, efficient and reliable manufacturing operations across our three plants.

Combining strong manufacturing and engineering expertise with commercial acumen and people leadership, you will optimise production performance, strengthen operational processes and lead a culture of accountability, continuous improvement and operational excellence.

This is an opportunity for a hands-on, commercially minded leader who can translate operational strategy into measurable results while developing capable teams and improving plant performance.

What You Will Do

• Lead Manufacturing Operations: Oversee day-to-day production and plant operations, ensuring production targets, schedules, quality standards and customer requirements are consistently achieved.
• Drive Multi-Site Performance: Coordinate and improve operational performance across our three plants, promoting consistency, collaboration and the sharing of best practice.
• Optimise Productivity and Efficiency: Improve workflows, resource allocation, production planning and equipment utilisation to maximise output, minimise waste and achieve key performance indicators.
• Lead Continuous Improvement: Identify and implement initiatives that improve productivity, reduce costs, eliminate inefficiencies and enhance manufacturing processes, using lean manufacturing principles where appropriate.
• Oversee Engineering and Maintenance: Lead plant engineering and maintenance functions, ensuring equipment reliability, effective preventative maintenance and minimal unplanned downtime.
• Champion Quality and Food Safety: Partner with the Quality team to maintain product quality, food safety and compliance with applicable standards, including HACCP and GMP.
• Embed a Strong Safety Culture: Lead safety performance, ensure compliance with relevant WHS requirements, and proactively identify and address operational risks.
• Lead and Develop People: Build, mentor and develop high-performing production and engineering teams, establishing clear expectations, accountability and a culture of continuous improvement.
• Manage Budgets and Resources: Contribute to operational budgeting, cost control, capacity planning and resource forecasting to support business objectives.
• Report on Performance: Monitor and analyse operational data, preparing and presenting production, engineering, cost and performance reports to senior leadership.
• Drive Operational Strategy: Work collaboratively with senior leadership and cross-functional teams to identify opportunities, implement improvements and support the long-term growth of the business.

What You Will Bring

Proven experience in senior production, manufacturing or plant management, ideally within food manufacturing, FMCG or a comparable industrial environment.

An engineering background, supported by relevant engineering qualifications or substantial practical engineering experience in a manufacturing environment.

Demonstrated experience managing operations across multiple manufacturing sites, with the ability to drive consistent standards and performance across locations.

A strong track record of delivering continuous improvement initiatives that improve productivity, efficiency, quality and cost performance.

Strong technical understanding of manufacturing processes, plant equipment, engineering and maintenance practices.

Experience with ERP systems, production planning tools and maintenance management systems.

Sound knowledge of workplace health and safety requirements and manufacturing risk management.

Understanding of food safety and quality systems, including HACCP and GMP.

Strong commercial and analytical capability, with experience using operational data and KPIs to inform decisions and improve results.

Proven leadership skills, with the ability to engage, develop and hold teams accountable for performance.

Excellent communication, stakeholder management and problem-solving skills.

A proactive, practical and solutions-focused approach, with the ability to balance strategic priorities with day-to-day operational demands.

Why Join Trumps?

At Trumps, our values of Safety, Teamwork, Customer Focus, Innovation and Caring guide how we work and how we support our people.

Make a Meaningful Impact: Play a key role in shaping manufacturing performance and contributing to the future success of an established Australian business.

Lead and Improve: Drive meaningful operational improvements across our manufacturing network.

Work with an Experienced Team: Join a collaborative, values-driven business with a strong heritage and a focus on continuous improvement.

Grow Your Career: Take ownership of a senior operational leadership role with the opportunity to influence business performance and develop teams.

Competitive Remuneration: Receive a competitive salary package, with performance-based incentives where applicable.

Ready to Make an Impact?

If you are an experienced manufacturing leader with strong engineering capability, a passion for continuous improvement and the ability to drive performance across multiple sites, we would love to hear from you.

by submitting your resume and cover letter outlining your relevant experience and what you would bring to Trumps.

Trumps are Wholesalers, Distributors & Processors of Nuts, Dried Fruits, Beans & Pulses, Muesli, Confectionery, Cooking Needs, Herbs & Spices, Ginger, Snacks and a Wide Range of Organics to the Retail, Foodservice & Manufacturing Industries.

Trumps a third generation Australian owned business supplying food solutions to the industry for over 70 years.

Sourcing of Product | Back to top

Trumps source their quality products at home and world wide with stringent policies in place to ensure the the highest standards and specifications are met.

We have a dedicated management team and a comprehensive network of suppliers to procure the best available products and materials.

These suppliers are locally and internationally placed at the point of origin giving the best possible outcome for continued supply of quality product.

Manufacturing | Back to top

Once the products are received into our warehouse and factory and only after they have passed through our compliance procedures they are then designated to be further processed and packed into one of the 1400 variety of products Trumps produce year round.

Trumps versatility with its manufacturing base enables us to further value add many popular products by Oil Roasting, Dry Roasting, Blending and Mixing product.

Trumps not only process and pack conventional products but are also proud to be Organic Certified with ACO Accreditation

Source: This is an extract from the company's own website

Trumps are Wholesalers, Distributors & Processors of Nuts, Dried Fruits, Beans & Pulses, Muesli, Confectionery, Cooking Needs, Herbs & Spices, Ginger, Snacks and a Wide Range of Organics to the Retail, Foodservice & Manufacturing Industries.

Trumps a third generation Australian owned business supplying food solutions to the industry for over 70 years.

Sourcing of Product | Back to top

Trumps source their quality products at home and world wide with stringent policies in place to ensure the the highest standards and specifications are met.

We have a dedicated management team and a comprehensive network of suppliers to procure the best available products and materials.

These suppliers are locally and internationally placed at the point of origin giving the best possible outcome for continued supply of quality product.

Manufacturing | Back to top

Once the products are received into our warehouse and factory and only after they have passed through our compliance procedures they are then designated to be further processed and packed into one of the 1400 variety of products Trumps produce year round.

Trumps versatility with its manufacturing base enables us to further value add many popular products by Oil Roasting, Dry Roasting, Blending and Mixing product.

Trumps not only process and pack conventional products but are also proud to be Organic Certified with ACO Accreditation

Source: This is an extract from the company's own website