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Hephaestus Global in Adelaide seeks an experienced Production Manager to coordinate and manage production across the workshop, ensuring safety, efficiency, and quality on time.
You will lead CNC machining, fitting, fabrication and associated processes, mentor staff and subcontractors, and drive continuous improvements in a defence-focused, highly regulated manufacturing environment.
Engineering & Defence Manufacturing | Adelaide, SA
Hephaestus Global is a South Australian-owned engineering and manufacturing group based in Adelaide. The group brings together established specialist businesses, including Mitchell & Cheesman, Toolcraft Australia, Carr Fasteners and Sharman Shelving with capabilities spanning engineering, machining, tooling and industrial manufacturing.
Our businesses deliver precision engineering, defence manufacturing and industrial solutions across complex one-off projects and repeat production work. By combining experienced tradespeople and engineers with modern manufacturing technology, Hephaestus Global is continuing to invest in its people, capabilities and production systems to build strong and sustainable South Australian manufacturing
Reporting to senior management, you will be responsible for coordinating and managing production across the workshop, ensuring jobs are completed safely, efficiently, to specification and within agreed timeframes.
Your responsibilities will include:
Planning, scheduling and coordinating daily production activities
Managing workflow across CNC machining, fitting, fabrication and associated manufacturing processes
Monitoring production schedules and ensuring customer delivery commitments are achieved
Allocating labour, machines and resources effectively
Managing priorities when production requirements change
Working closely with programming, engineering, purchasing and quality personnel
Monitoring job progress, productivity, labour hours and costs
Identifying production bottlenecks and implementing improvements
Ensuring work is completed to drawings, specifications and quality requirements
Maintaining high standards of housekeeping, safety and workshop discipline
Leading, mentoring and developing production staff and apprentices
Managing subcontractors and external suppliers where required
Assisting with quoting, estimating and production planning
Investigating production issues and implementing corrective actions
Driving continuous improvement throughout the workshop
Ensuring company procedures and quality requirements are followed
We are looking for someone who is organised, decisive and practical, with the ability to lead a production team while still understanding what is actually happening on the workshop floor.
You will ideally have:
Previous experience in a Production Manager, Workshop Manager or similar senior manufacturing role
Strong experience within engineering, machining, tooling or metal manufacturing
A sound understanding of CNC machining and manufacturing processes
Experience scheduling multiple jobs and managing competing priorities
Strong leadership and people-management skills
The ability to read and understand engineering drawings
A good understanding of production costs, labour utilisation and job profitability
Excellent communication and problem-solving skills
A strong focus on quality and on-time delivery
The ability to work independently and make decisions
A practical, "hands-on" approach to management
Experience working within Defence, Aerospace or other highly regulated manufacturing environments would be highly regarded.
This role is not simply about keeping a production schedule up to date.
We are looking for someone who can lead from the front, identify problems before they become problems, hold people accountable and continuously improve the way we manufacture.
You will be comfortable walking onto the workshop floor, talking to machinists and tradespeople, understanding what is holding a job up, and taking action to get production moving again.
If you are an experienced manufacturing professional looking for an opportunity where your skills and decisions can have a genuine impact, we would like to hear from you.
Our Company works in the Australian Defence Sector therefore a security clearance my be required for this role. The International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) also applies, meaning your nationality could affect your suitability for this position.
Only candidates living in Australia with full work rights will be considered.