Production Manager – Bulk

Saputo, Inc.; Cobram; On-site; AUD 150,000 - 190,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

On-site parking

Job summary

Saputo Dairy Australia is seeking a Production Manager - Bulk to lead a 80+ strong production team at a high-volume cheese manufacturing facility in Cobram, Victoria, reporting to the Factory Manager – Bulk. You will drive safety, quality and labour performance, deliver production targets, and develop capability within your team while leading continuous improvement initiatives across operations.

The permanent, full-time role offers Monday to Friday work, on-site parking, and the opportunity to

Qualifications

• Proven experience leading large production or manufacturing teams.
• Strong leadership with accountability and engagement.
• Experience managing performance and attendance.
• Background in complex manufacturing operations.
• Excellent communication, organisational and stakeholder management skills.
• Strong problem-solving and decision-making capability.
• Experience with production KPIs and continuous improvement.

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.

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

• 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.

Saputo Dairy Australia is an equal opportunity employer.

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.

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 our 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 our success. You will make contributions that matter, all while working alongside colleagues who genuinely care about your success and who will roll up their sleeves to help. Making Good Food Is Our Passion, and we do it responsibly.

Our caring teams process about 10 billion litres of milk annually into a diversified range of dairy and dairy alternative products sold in over 50 countries. With 54 manufacturing facilities and over 18,100 employees, we operate our leading business in Canada, the USA, Australia, and the United Kingdom. All dairy processors have access to the same raw material and equipment; what distinguishes us is our can-do spirit and our diverse, inclusive work culture that empowers employees to grow in their own way.