Production Manager - Defence & Industrial Projects

The Shadbolt Group; Sydney; On-site; AUD 140,000 - 210,000; Full time

Job summary

The Shadbolt Group in Sydney is seeking an experienced Production Manager to lead defence and industrial projects. This hands-on leadership role focuses on safe, high‑quality output on schedule and within budget, coordinating trades, workshops and project teams.

You will work with the General Manager – Defence NSW, project managers and engineers to plan production, manage resources and drive efficiency while upholding safety and quality standards. A White Card and Defence clearance are required.

Qualifications

• Experience leading production in fabrication, construction or heavy industry.
• Proven ability to plan, schedule and allocate resources across projects.
• Strong safety, quality, and process-improvement mindset.
• Experience with Defence programs and risk management is advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Lead daily production operations across fabrication and industrial activities.
• Develop and monitor production plans to meet milestones and budgets.
• Coordinate labour, materials, equipment and subcontractors.
• Align production with project scope and schedules with engineers and project managers.
• Drive safety culture and ensure quality and compliance with standards.
• Manage priorities, delays and resource constraints to protect delivery.
• Support forecasting, reporting and continuous improvement initiatives.

Skills

Production management

Workshop management

Defence industry experience

Project-based planning

Leadership of trades

Safety leadership

Stakeholder management

White Card

NV1 Defence clearance

Education

Manufacturing/engineering/production management qualifications

Tools

ASDEFCON knowledge

DISP environment familiarity

Job description

Production Manager - Defence & Industrial Projects

Production Manager – Defence & Industrial Projects

Sydney, NSW | Full-Time | Defence & Maritime

Lead production. Drive performance. Deliver critical Defence capability.

Shadbolt Group is a growing Tier 2 Australian company delivering fabrication, modularisation, maintenance and sustainment solutions across Defence, Maritime and major infrastructure programs.

We are seeking an experienced Production Manager to lead production operations across our Defence and industrial projects in Sydney. This is a hands‑on leadership role for someone who understands fabrication and industrial environments, can coordinate people and resources effectively, and is focused on delivering safe, high‑quality work to schedule and budget.

Working closely with the General Manager – Defence (NSW), Project Managers, Engineers, Supervisors and frontline trades, you will take ownership of production planning, workforce coordination, workshop performance and operational delivery.

The Opportunity Reporting to the General Manager – Defence (NSW), you will oversee day‑to‑day production activities, ensuring labour, materials, equipment and production schedules are aligned with project requirements.

You will play a key role in improving productivity, managing competing priorities, maintaining quality and safety standards, and ensuring production commitments are met across a portfolio of Defence and industrial projects. This is an opportunity to make a tangible impact in a growing Australian business with an expanding pipeline of Defence and Maritime work.

Your Key Responsibilities

• Lead and coordinate daily production operations across fabrication, workshop and industrial project activities.
• Develop, implement and monitor production plans, schedules and priorities to meet project milestones and delivery commitments.
• Coordinate labour, materials, equipment and subcontractors to maximise productivity and minimise downtime.
• Work closely with Project Managers, Engineers and Supervisors to align production activities with project scope, budgets and schedules.
• Monitor production performance, resource utilisation, workflow and output, identifying opportunities for improvement.
• Manage competing priorities and respond proactively to production delays, resource constraints and operational issues.
• Drive a strong safety culture, ensuring compliance with WHS requirements, procedures and site‑specific standards.
• Maintain quality standards and ensure work is completed in accordance with drawings, specifications, client requirements and applicable standards.
• Work with procurement and project teams to ensure materials, equipment and resources are available when required.
• Monitor labour efficiency, production costs, overtime and resource allocation to support commercial performance.
• Identify and implement process improvements to increase efficiency, reduce rework and improve delivery outcomes.
• Lead, develop and support production supervisors, leading hands and trades personnel.
• Maintain effective communication with clients, project stakeholders and senior leadership regarding production progress, risks and priorities.
• Support project forecasting, reporting and continuous improvement initiatives across the business.

About You

You are a practical, commercially minded production leader who understands how to get work out the door safely, efficiently and to the required standard. You are comfortable working on the workshop floor, engaging with trades and supervisors, and collaborating with senior management to resolve operational challenges.

You will bring:

• Demonstrated experience in production management, workshop management or manufacturing operations within fabrication, construction, Defence, engineering or heavy industry.
• Strong experience coordinating fabrication or industrial production activities, ideally in a project‑based environment.
• Proven capability in production planning, scheduling, resource allocation and workflow management.
• Experience leading multidisciplinary teams, including trades, supervisors and operational personnel.
• A sound understanding of fabrication processes, engineering drawings, quality requirements and production workflows.
• Strong commercial awareness, including labour productivity, cost control, overtime management and resource utilisation.
• The ability to identify bottlenecks, manage competing priorities and implement practical solutions.
• A proactive approach to safety, quality assurance and continuous improvement.
• Strong communication, leadership and stakeholder management skills.
• The ability to work collaboratively with project teams while maintaining accountability for production outcomes.
• A White Card.
• Australian citizenship and the ability to obtain and maintain a minimum NV1 Defence Security Clearance.

Relevant qualifications in manufacturing, engineering, fabrication, operations or production management will be highly regarded. Experience working within Defence programs, ASDEFCON frameworks and/or a Defence Industry Security Program (DISP) environment will also be advantageous.

Why Shadbolt?

Shadbolt Group is building its capability across Australia's Defence and sovereign industrial sectors. With a strong forward order book and an expanding presence across Defence and Maritime, this is an opportunity to join a business where operational leadership directly contributes to project success.

You’ll have:

• The opportunity to support high‑profile Defence and Maritime programs.
• A senior operational role with direct access to leadership.
• Genuine ownership of production performance and delivery outcomes.
• The opportunity to shape production processes and drive operational improvements.
• A hands‑on, collaborative environment where initiative and accountability are valued.
• Long‑term career development opportunities.
• A competitive salary package.
• The opportunity to contribute to Australia’s sovereign industrial capability.