Production Manager | Lead the Floor. Lift Performance. Deliver Results.

Work Initiatives; Melbourne; On-site; AUD 120,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Work Initiatives in Melbourne seeks an experienced Production Manager to lead a large, fast-moving manufacturing floor. You will own day-to-day production, drive safety, quality and delivery, and lift overall performance while managing up to 80 operators.

You will report to senior leadership and be responsible for planning labour, resources and continuous improvement initiatives to meet production plans and customer expectations.

Qualifications

• Five years’ experience in production management within a high-output manufacturing environment.

Responsibilities

• Leading and developing the production workforce.
• Planning labour and resources against production schedules.
• Driving performance towards a 96% DIFOTTS target.
• Managing productivity, overtime and labour hours per unit.
• Maintaining visibility across WIP and finished goods.
• Reducing rework and identifying bottlenecks.
• Driving OHS, quality and ISO-aligned standards.
• Coordinating maintenance and operational readiness.
• Developing practical SOPs and ensuring they are followed.
• Building workforce capability through training and coaching.
• Applying Lean, Agile and continuous-improvement principles.
• Providing clear reporting to senior management.

Job description

Production Manager | Lead the Floor. Lift Performance. Deliver Results.

A Production Floor Needs a Leader Who Knows Exactly How to Run One.

Up to 80 operators. Growing production volumes. National customers. Serious expectations around safety, quality, output and delivery.

This is a substantial Production Manager role for someone who knows how to bring structure, consistency and performance to a busy manufacturing floor.

Our client is a successful Australian manufacturer with more than 50 years behind them, a national footprint and strong growth ahead.

They’re looking for an experienced production leader who understands that running a great operation isn't about making the most noise. It’s about knowing your people, knowing your numbers and making sure the floor delivers.

You’ll have the backing of an experienced Operations Manager and CEO, but day-to-day production is yours to run.

They’re looking for someone who knows manufacturing, understands people and takes real pride in running a good operation.

The Role

Reporting to the Operations Manager, you’ll take ownership of a large, fast-moving production environment with a diverse workforce of up to 80 operators.

Your focus will be clear: deliver the production plan safely, efficiently and consistently while continuing to lift operational performance.

You’ll be responsible for:

• Leading and developing the production workforce
• Planning labour and resources against production schedules
• Driving performance towards a 96% DIFOTTS target
• Managing productivity, overtime and labour hours per unit
• Maintaining strong visibility across WIP and finished goods
• Reducing rework and identifying production bottlenecks
• Driving OHS, quality and ISO-aligned standards
• Coordinating maintenance and operational readiness
• Developing practical SOPs and ensuring they are followed
• Building workforce capability through training and coaching
• Applying Lean, Agile and continuous-improvement principles
• Providing clear, commercially meaningful reporting to senior management

There is plenty happening here, and plenty of opportunity to improve how things are done.

You won't be brought in simply to keep the seat warm.

Who Will Nail It?

You’ll bring at least five years’ experience in production management within a high-output manufacturing environment, ideally with responsibility for a sizeable workforce.

You know how to plan.

You understand the relationship between labour, output, cost, quality and customer delivery.

You can look at a production schedule and quickly identify where the pressure points are likely to be.

And importantly, you know how to get the best out of people.

This is a diverse, multicultural workforce, so your ability to communicate clearly, build respect and set expectations will be every bit as important as your technical manufacturing knowledge.

You’ll be comfortable making decisions, addressing performance issues and challenging an existing process when you know there is a smarter way.

We’re looking for someone who is:

• Commercially switched on
• Process driven and highly organised
• Calm and decisive under pressure
• Strong on safety, quality and accountability
• Confident leading a large operational team
• Experienced in continuous improvement
• A clear and adaptable communicator
• Genuine, grounded and respectful

You don’t need to be the loudest person on the floor.

You need to be the person people trust to run it.

Why This Opportunity?

Because you’ll be joining an established Australian success story at a time when the operation is growing and investment in people and processes continues.

You’ll work with senior leaders who value experience, good judgement and straight communication. They’ll give you the support you need without hovering over your shoulder.

There’s also an excellent base salary, full tools of trade, ongoing development and genuine career progression for someone who performs.

This is an opportunity to step into a serious production environment, take ownership and build on an already successful operation.

All applicants will need to have the right to live and work permanently in Australia. While all applications will be reviewed, only those who meet our criteria will be contacted.