Production Manager - Bulk

Saputo; Cobram; On-site; AUD 140,000 - 170,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

On-site parking

Bonus opportunity

Career development

Job summary

Saputo Dairy Australia is seeking a Production Manager - Bulk to lead a large production team in Cobram, ensuring safety, quality, and efficiency. You will oversee two direct-report Supervisors and ~80+ staff to meet production targets while upholding GMP and HACCP standards.

The role emphasizes floor presence, capability development, and continuous improvement across a high-volume dairy operation, with a permanent full-time arrangement in a premier cheese manufacturing setting.

Qualifications

• Demonstrated experience leading large production or manufacturing teams.
• Strong leadership skills with accountability and engagement.
• Experience managing performance, attendance and employee relations matters.
• Background in manufacturing operations within a complex production environment.
• Excellent communication, organisational and stakeholder management skills.
• Strong problem-solving and decision-making capability.
• Experience working with production KPIs and continuous improvement initiatives.

Responsibilities

• Lead, coach and develop a large production workforce through Supervisors.
• Drive a strong safety-first culture and ensure compliance with site and company standards.
• Deliver production, quality and labour performance targets.
• Manage workforce planning, rostering, leave approvals and labour utilisation.
• Partner closely with Quality, Maintenance, Reliability, HR and Production Planning teams.
• Lead investigations, root cause analysis and problem-solving initiatives.
• Manage employee performance, attendance, engagement and capability development.
• Drive continuous improvement activities that enhance productivity, reliability and operational performance.
• Ensure GMP, HACCP and food safety standards are consistently maintained.

Skills

People leadership

Safety culture

Communication

Problem solving

KPI management

Job description

At Saputo, we bring good to the table by making high-quality products, investing in our people, and supporting communities around the world . As a top 10 global dairy processor, we value contributions that matter and strive to foster an inclusive, growth-driven work environment. Ready to bring your best?

At Saputo, we bring good to the table by making high-quality products, investing in our people, and supporting communities around the world. As a top 10 global dairy processor, we value contributions that matter and strive to foster an inclusive, growth-driven work environment. Ready to bring your best.

Are you an experienced manufacturing leader who thrives in fast-paced production environments and enjoys leading large teams to achieve outstanding results?

Join one of Australia's largest cheese manufacturing operations and play a critical role in driving safety, quality, people performance, and operational excellence across a high-volume dairy manufacturing facility. This is a rare opportunity to make a significant impact while developing your career within a global food manufacturing business.

About the Role

Reporting to the Factory Manager - Bulk, the Production Manager - Bulk is responsible for the day-to-day leadership and performance of the bulk cheese manufacturing operation. Leading a team of approximately 80+ employees through two direct-report Supervisors, you will be accountable for delivering production targets while maintaining the highest standards of safety, quality, reliability, and workforce engagement.

This is a highly visible leadership role where success comes from being present on the factory floor, developing capability within your team, problem-solving operational challenges, and driving continuous improvement outcomes.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead, coach and develop a large production workforce through a team of Supervisors.
• Drive a strong safety-first culture and ensure compliance with site and company standards.
• Deliver production, quality and labour performance targets.
• Manage workforce planning, rostering, leave approvals and labour utilisation.
• Partner closely with Quality, Maintenance, Reliability, HR and Production Planning teams.
• Lead investigations, root cause analysis and problem-solving initiatives.
• Manage employee performance, attendance, engagement and capability development.
• Drive continuous improvement activities that enhance productivity, reliability and operational performance.
• Ensure GMP, HACCP and food safety standards are consistently maintained.

About You

To be successful in this role, you will bring strong leadership capability combined with proven manufacturing operations experience.

You will have:

• Demonstrated experience leading large production or manufacturing teams.
• Strong leadership skills with the ability to drive accountability and engagement.
• Experience managing performance, attendance and employee relations matters.
• A background in manufacturing operations within a complex production environment.
• Excellent communication, organisational and stakeholder management skills.
• Strong problem-solving and decision‑making capability.
• Experience working with production KPIs and continuous improvement initiatives.

Highly regarded:

• Dairy manufacturing experience.
• Cheese manufacturing experience.
• Food manufacturing leadership experience.
• Exposure to GMP, HACCP and food safety systems.

What's in it for You?

• Lead a large-scale, complex manufacturing operation with genuine influence on business outcomes.
• Opportunity to shape culture, performance and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Permanent full-time position.
• Monday to Friday structure.
• No regular night shifts or weekend roster requirements.
• Career development opportunities within a global dairy organisation.
• Competitive salary package plus bonus opportunity.
• On-site parking.
• Enjoy the lifestyle benefits of beautiful Cobram, located on the Murray River.

Applications close 23rd September, however, we may progress sooner, so apply as soon as you can.

All applicants require Australian working rights at the time of applying.

Saputo Dairy Australia is an equal opportunity employer.

As a leading dairy processor in Australia, Saputo produces, markets, and distributes a variety of products, with a portfolio of well-loved brands such as Devondale, Liddells, CHEER, Mersey Valley, and Tasmanian Heritage. Our people bring these popular brands to life, while servicing your farming communities and through our AG Warehouse network.

Whether your expertise lies in manufacturing, operations, supply chain, sales, quality assurance, or in any other function, your role is integral to your success. You will make contributions that matter, all while working alongside colleagues who genuinely care about your success and