Production Manager - Sheet Metal

Worthwhile Recruiting; Penrith; On-site; AUD 150,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Worthwhile Recruiting seeks a seasoned Manufacturing Leader to head a 50-person operation in NSW Penrith. You will own manufacturing and production activities, ensuring safety, on-time delivery, and quality to specification while controlling budget.

Reporting to the General Manager, you will drive Lean, 5S, capacity planning, and workforce development; you will collaborate with the Leadership Team to optimise throughput and reduce waste.

Qualifications

• Extensive leadership of large production teams in sheet metal environments.
• Deep understanding of production processes, tooling, and setup requirements.
• Proven experience implementing Lean, 5S and continuous improvement.
• Focus on safety, quality and right-first-time manufacturing.

Responsibilities

• Lead production office staff, team leaders and operators with clear priorities.
• Own jobs through the factory, remove bottlenecks and meet delivery targets.
• Manage scheduling, capacity planning and labour allocation across shifts.
• Ensure machinery and tooling match requirements and lead times are clear.
• Maintain safety-first culture and factory floor presence.
• Collaborate with Quality Manager to investigate defects and reduce rework.
• Drive Lean and 5S to cut waste and variability.
• Coordinate preventative maintenance and resolve machinery issues.
• Recruit, induct, train and coach production staff.
• Monitor labour efficiency, machine utilisation, overtime and costs.

Skills

Production leadership

Sheet metal manufacturing

Machinery operation (manual & CNC)

Lean Manufacturing & 5S

Safety & quality focus

ERP systems

Production planning & scheduling

Team coaching & development

Education

Manufacturing trades certification

Tools

ERP systems

Job description

Lead a team of approximately 50 people, take ownership of manufacturing operations and drive right-first-time production. Reporting to the General Manager and working alongside the Leadership Team, you will oversee manufacturing and production activities, ensuring customer requirements are delivered safely, on time, to specification and within budget.

Key responsibilities

• Lead production office support staff, team leaders and production employees, establishing clear priorities, accountability and performance standards
• Take ownership of jobs moving through the factory, resolve bottlenecks early and achieve daily, weekly and monthly delivery targets
• Manage production scheduling, capacity planning and labour allocation across production areas and shifts
• Ensure machinery, tooling, staffing and skills are matched to requirements, and communicate lead times and capacity constraints accurately
• Maintain a visible presence on the factory floor and lead a safety-first culture
• Work with the Quality Manager to investigate defects and non-conformances, address root causes and reduce rework
• Implement and sustain Lean Manufacturing and 5S practices to reduce waste, waiting time and process variation
• Coordinate preventative maintenance and ensure breakdowns and recurring machinery issues are investigated and resolved
• Recruit, induct, train, coach and develop production employees and team leaders
• Monitor labour efficiency, machine utilisation, overtime, subcontracting and production expenditure

About you

• At least 10 years' relevant manufacturing experience, including substantial production leadership responsibility in sheet metal manufacturing
• Practical working knowledge of machinery operation, both manual and CNC, including machine capabilities, tooling, setup requirements and production processes
• Manufacturing expertise built on a strong foundation of trade skills
• Proven experience leading sizeable production teams, with the ability to coach, motivate and develop team leaders and employees
• Strong production planning, scheduling, capacity management and resource allocation skills
• Practical experience implementing Lean Manufacturing, 5S and continuous improvement
• A demonstrated commitment to safety, quality and right-first-time manufacturing
• Sound commercial judgement and experience controlling manufacturing costs
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with proficiency in ERP systems and Microsoft Office
• Clear communication skills and the ability to manage competing priorities and tight deadlines