Production & Planning Manager

MERA Chemicals Pty; Melbourne; On-site; AUD 110,000 - 140,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Permanent full-time employment

Fortnightly pay

Onsite parking

Job summary

MERA Chemicals is seeking a Production & Planning Manager to lead production performance across two manufacturing facilities in Laverton North, Melbourne. This role combines hands-on manufacturing management with production planning, scheduling, resource coordination and continuous improvement to ensure safe, efficient operations and timely customer delivery.

Reporting to the Business Operations Manager, you will own production schedules, lead teams, plan labour and equipment, and collaborate

Qualifications

• Proven track record in production or manufacturing management.
• Strong capability in production planning, scheduling and resource management.
• Experience leading production teams and driving safety, quality and delivery targets.
• Ability to manage deadlines, prioritise competing demands and collaborate across departments.

Responsibilities

• Develop, maintain and manage daily and weekly production schedules across two sites.
• Lead production teams to meet safety, quality, productivity and delivery targets.
• Plan and schedule batches (including toll manufacturing) based on requirements and readiness.
• Plan labour, equipment and resources to maximise plant utilisation.
• Coordinate with warehouse, technical, quality and maintenance teams for readiness.
• Drive accountability, performance management and training.
• Monitor KPIs and implement corrective actions for improvement.
• Support continuous improvement to reduce downtime and optimise processes.
• Ensure WHS, quality systems, SOPs and standards are followed.
• Provide regular production performance updates and recommendations to management.

Skills

Production planning

Scheduling

People leadership

Continuous improvement

Safety & quality focus

Communication

Problem solving

Tools

Spreadsheets

Performance reporting

Job description

MERA Chemicals | Laverton North, Melbourne VIC
Full-Time | Manufacturing & Production Management

Production & Planning Manager

MERA Chemicals | Laverton North, Melbourne VIC
Full-Time | Manufacturing & Production Management

Lead Production Performance Across Two Manufacturing Facilities

MERA Chemicals is seeking an experienced Production & Planning Manager to lead production operations across our two manufacturing facilities in Laverton North.

This is a key leadership position combining hands-on manufacturing management with production planning, scheduling, resource coordination and continuous improvement.

We are looking for someone who can take ownership of production delivery, develop and lead teams, and ensure our manufacturing operations run safely, efficiently and in line with customer commitments.

About the Role

Reporting directly to the Business Operations Manager, you will have overall responsibility for production performance across both manufacturing sites.

You will lead the production teams, providing clear direction, accountability and support to the wider production workforce.

A significant part of the role involves personally developing and managing production schedules, including scheduling approved customer and toll manufacturing batches, while ensuring production resources are effectively utilised.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop, maintain and manage daily and weekly production schedules across both manufacturing sites.

• Lead production teams to achieve safety, quality, productivity and customer delivery targets.

• Plan and schedule approved manufacturing batches, including toll manufacturing batches, based on confirmed production requirements and material readiness.

• Plan labour, equipment and production resources to maximise plant utilisation.

• Work closely with warehouse, technical, quality and maintenance teams to ensure production readiness.

• Drive accountability, performance management, operator training and skills development.

• Monitor production KPIs, identify opportunities for improvement and implement corrective actions.

• Support continuous improvement initiatives to reduce downtime, improve batch efficiency and optimise manufacturing processes.

• Ensure compliance with WHS, quality systems, operating procedures and company standards.

• Provide regular production performance updates and recommendations to management.

About You

We are looking for an organised, practical manufacturing leader who is equally comfortable developing production plans, managing people and resolving operational challenges.

To be successful, you will bring:

• Demonstrated experience in production or manufacturing management, ideally within chemical manufacturing, blending, processing or a similar industrial environment.

• Strong production planning, scheduling and resource management capabilities.

• Proven experience leading production teams, supervisors or team leaders.

• A practical understanding of manufacturing processes, plant capacity and production constraints.

• Experience managing competing production priorities and achieving agreed production completion targets.

• Demonstrated ability to manage production deadlines, prioritise competing demands and communicate effectively across multiple departments.

• Strong problem-solving, communication and organisational skills.

• A commitment to workplace safety, quality and continuous improvement.

• Confidence working with production systems, spreadsheets and performance reporting.

Experience in batch manufacturing, toll blending, chemical processing or multi-site operations would be highly regarded.

What We Offer

• Secure, permanent full-time employment with long-term career opportunities in an established Australian manufacturing company.

• Monday to Friday, 8:00 am-4:00 pm, with flexibility to vary working hours as operationally required and directed by the Business Operations Manager.

• Competitive salary package commensurate with experience and responsibilities.

• Fortnightly pay.

• Modern, purpose-built facilities in Laverton North, with contemporary offices and manufacturing operations.

• Senior leadership opportunity overseeing production and planning across two manufacturing sites.

• Genuine autonomy and responsibility to drive operational improvements, efficiencies and team performance.

• Supportive and collaborative management team with experienced technical and production personnel.

• Professional development opportunities, including ongoing training and leadership development.

• First Aid training provided.

• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) supporting employee wellbeing.

• Employment Hero employee portal for convenient access to payslips, leave requests and employment information.

• Ongoing workplace health and safety training.

• Quarterly team-building activities to encourage a positive workplace culture.

• Free onsite parking.