Project Manager - Rail / Heavy Manufacturing

2XM Recruit; Adelaide; On-site; AUD 170,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

2XM Recruit is seeking a Senior Project Manager for heavy industrial, manufacturing and rail projects based in Kilburn, SA. You will lead multi-million-dollar asset, overhaul and manufacturing initiatives, directing cross-functional teams and ensuring delivery on time and budget.

The role reports to the Director of Assets, Reliability and Projects and demands 15+ years of project and performance management experience in heavy engineering.

Qualifications

• Tertiary qualifications in Engineering, Business Administration, or a related discipline, and/or recognized Project Management certifications (e.g., PMP, Prince2, AIPM).
• Minimum of 15 years of project management, performance management, or heavy analytical experience within manufacturing, heavy industrial, or complex engineering environments.
• Advanced knowledge of PM methodologies and enterprise scheduling tools (e.g., MS Project, Smartsheet), plus familiarity with manufacturing processes, supply chain, and quality management systems.
• Desirable: 5+ years PM experience specifically within rail, rolling stock, or heavy transport engineering at a management level.

Responsibilities

• Project Planning & Execution: Develop and manage detailed project plans, schedules, and budgets; define scope, goals, deliverables, and resource allocation.
• Cross-Functional Leadership: Lead cross-functional teams across engineering, production, quality, and procurement; manage key stakeholders.
• Risk Management & Problem Solving: Identify risks, implement mitigation, monitor progress, and troubleshoot to avoid delays and overruns.
• Continuous Improvement: Drive lean manufacturing and Six Sigma initiatives; capture lessons learned for future projects.
• Compliance & Governance: Ensure safety, environmental and regulatory standards; provide executive status reporting on cost, time, and quality KPIs.

Skills

Cross-Functional Leadership

Stakeholder Management

Lean Manufacturing

Six Sigma

Education

Engineering degree

Business Administration degree

PM Certifications (PMP, Prince2, AIPM)

Tools

MS Project

Smartsheet

Job description

Senior Project Manager – Heavy Industrial / Manufacturing / Rail

Project Manager

Operations Project Manager

PM – Capital & Reliability Projects

Location: Kilburn, SA

Typical Week: Monday – Friday (Days) | Ongoing Permanent Role

Salary: $170k - $200k p/a + Superannuation

Are you an experienced Project Manager or Operations Specialist looking for long-term stability and an opportunity to lead high-impact, capital-intensive engineering projects? They say a career in this sector is a career for life!

Do you have 15+ years of proven project and performance management experience in heavy industrial, manufacturing, or heavy engineering environments? Are you looking for an opportunity to lead cross-functional teams, drive operational excellence, and deliver large-scale asset reliability projects that keep critical Australian infrastructure moving? Then this could be the role for you!

About the Role

Working as a key leader within our Operations business based out of our main hub near Kilburn, you will be directly responsible for the strategic project management, forward planning, and execution of core organizational projects across Australia.

Reporting directly to the Director of Assets, Reliability and Projects, this high-visibility leadership role sees you driving end-to-end delivery across multi-million-dollar asset, overhaul, and manufacturing portfolios.

You will work in a fast-paced, safety-critical environment to ensure projects are delivered on time, within budget, and to accredited safety and quality standards, providing up-to-date governance reporting to the Executive Leadership Team (ELT).

This position is ideal for a safety-focused, analytical Project Manager with a strong background in complex industrial environments, lean manufacturing methodologies, and stakeholder management.

Key Responsibilities

• Project Planning & Execution: Develop and manage detailed project plans, schedules, and budgets; define scope, goals, deliverables, and resource allocation to meet key operational targets.
• Cross-Functional Leadership: Lead cross-functional teams across engineering, production, quality, and procurement to achieve portfolio objectives and serve as the primary point of contact for key internal and external stakeholders.
• Risk Management & Problem Solving: Identify operational risks, establish robust mitigation strategies, monitor progress, and troubleshoot challenges to eliminate delays and budget overruns.
• Continuous Improvement: Drive lean manufacturing and Six Sigma initiatives; analyze project outcomes and feed key lessons learned back into the business to embed a continuous improvement culture.
• Compliance & Governance: Ensure strict adherence to safety, environmental, and accredited regulatory standards; maintain accurate documentation and provide executive-level status reporting on cost, time, and quality KPIs.

What You'll Need

• Qualifications: Tertiary qualifications in Engineering, Business Administration, or a related discipline, and/or recognized Project Management certifications (e.g., PMP, Prince2, AIPM).
• Experience: Minimum of 15 years of project management, performance management, or heavy analytical experience within a manufacturing, heavy industrial, or complex engineering environment.
• Technical & Software Expertise: Advanced knowledge of PM methodologies and enterprise scheduling tools (e.g., MS Project, Smartsheet), alongside familiarity with manufacturing processes, supply chain, and quality management systems.
• Desirable Background: 5+ years of Project Management experience specifically within rail, rolling stock, or heavy transport engineering at a management level will be highly regarded.
• Safety & Mobility: Uncompromising commitment to zero-harm safety principles, willingness to travel to vendor or site locations as needed, and the ability to work in a dynamic workshop/office environment.

Why Join?

• A Career for Life: Join a market leader in heavy asset solutions that plays an essential, nation-building role across Australia's industrial landscape.
• Career Security & Development: A stable, permanent leadership position within an expanding business that champions internal development, career progression, and collective growth.
• Focus on Wellbeing: Enjoy flexible working arrangements, dedicated paid wellbeing leave, and strong investment into maintaining a mentally healthy, inclusive workplace culture.
• CompetitiveRemuneration: Excellent remuneration package reflective of senior capability.