Quality & Continuous Improvement Manager

Narooma; Sydney; Remote; AUD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Sawyer Sourcing, partnering with a long-established Albury Wodonga manufacturer, is seeking a hands-on Quality & Continuous Improvement Manager.

The role focuses on owning quality management systems, championing Lean and Kaizen, and driving measurable improvements on the factory floor. You’ll collaborate across production, engineering, maintenance and supply chain to elevate quality and performance.

Qualifications

• Experience leading quality or continuous improvement initiatives in industrial environments.
• Understanding of ISO 9001 and audit processes, with certification experience.
• Practical experience with Lean, Kaizen, Six Sigma or similar methodologies.
• Knowledge of NCR, CAPA, 8D, PPAP, FAI or product validation.
• Experience developing procedures, inspection plans and quality controls.

Responsibilities

• Lead quality management systems and ISO certification compliance.
• Champion Lean manufacturing and continuous improvement.
• Identify opportunities on the factory floor and implement changes.
• Lead root cause investigations and corrective actions.
• Strengthen quality controls, product validation and inspections.
• Improve supplier quality and customer satisfaction.
• Embed quality into daily operations across departments.
• Turn complex quality requirements into practical procedures.

Skills

Quality management

Root cause analysis

Lean manufacturing

Kaizen

Six Sigma

Team leadership

Cross-functional collaboration

ISO 9001 audits

Quality documentation

Education

Engineering or Quality related degree

Tools

ISO 9001 audits

Quality documentation

Job description

Albury Wodonga | Advanced Manufacturing | Leadership Opportunity

Are you a manufacturing problem solver who loves making things better?

Some people manage quality systems. Others transform the way things are done.

We're looking for the latter!

Sawyer Sourcing is partnering with a highly respected, long-established manufacturer to find an exceptional Quality & Continuous Improvement Manager for its local operations.

This isn't a role for someone who simply ticks boxes, writes procedures and sits behind a desk.

We're looking for someone who gets a genuine buzz out of solving manufacturing challenges, improving processes, developing people and seeing the results of their efforts on the factory floor.

Someone who can spot an opportunity for improvement, bring people along for the journey and make it happen!

The Opportunity

You'll be joining an established manufacturing business with a strong engineering pedigree, sophisticated production processes and products that play an important role in Australia's critical infrastructure.

This is your opportunity to take ownership of quality management systems while championing a culture of continuous improvement across the operation.

You'll work closely with production, engineering, maintenance, supply chain and management teams to identify opportunities, solve problems and drive meaningful improvements.

Think smarter processes, fewer defects, better performance and a workforce that genuinely embraces quality.

What Will You Be Doing?

• Leading quality management systems, ISO certification requirements and compliance activities
• Championing Lean manufacturing, Kaizen and continuous improvement initiatives
• Getting onto the factory floor, identifying opportunities and working with teams to make improvements
• Driving root cause investigations, corrective actions and lasting solutions to manufacturing challenges.
• Strengthening manufacturing quality controls, product validation and inspection processes
• Improving supplier quality, customer satisfaction and overall manufacturing performance
• Working across departments to embed quality into everyday operations
• Turning complex quality requirements into practical, easy-to-follow processes

Who Are We Looking For?

We're looking for someone who knows their way around a manufacturing environment, understands what makes a great operation tick and isn't afraid to challenge the way things have always been done!

You might currently be a Quality Manager, Quality Assurance Manager, Continuous Improvement Manager, Manufacturing Manager or an experienced engineering professional looking for your next challenge.

Ideally, you'll bring:

• Experience leading quality, manufacturing or continuous improvement initiatives within an industrial or engineering environment
• A sound understanding of ISO 9001, quality management systems and audit processes, with experience supporting or leading certification requirements
• Practical experience with Lean, Kaizen, Six Sigma or other structured continuous improvement methodologies
• Experience investigating manufacturing defects, identifying root causes and implementing lasting corrective actions
• Knowledge of quality processes such as NCR, CAPA, 8D, PPAP, FAI or product validation
• Experience developing practical procedures, inspection plans, quality controls and manufacturing documentation
• The ability to engage, coach and influence people across all levels of a manufacturing business
• Relevant tertiary qualifications in Engineering, Quality, Manufacturing, Business, Science or Industrial Technology, or equivalent practical industry experience

Your background might be in heavy manufacturing, engineering, automotive, defence, electrical equipment, energy, infrastructure or another technically demanding industry.

We're more interested in your achievements, practical experience and ability to make things better than the particular products you've manufactured.

Above all, you'll be a hands-on leader who enjoys getting out onto the factory floor, working with people and turning improvement opportunities into measurable results.

Why Should You Be Interested?

Because this is an opportunity to do more than maintain the status quo. You'll be joining an established manufacturer with a proud history, technically interesting products and the opportunity to make a genuine contribution to its future.

You'll have the chance to influence how things are done, work with experienced manufacturing professionals and see the tangible results of your ideas.

And if you're someone who enjoys rolling up your sleeves, getting involved and making good manufacturing operations even better, this could be exactly the challenge you've been looking for.

Ready to Make Your Mark?

If you're an experienced manufacturing quality professional who thrives on solving problems, driving improvements and making things happen, we'd love to hear from you.