Shift Manager – Dairy Products

George Lord; Melbourne; On-site; AUD 150,000 - 210,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Base salary plus afternoon shift load

Superannuation and performance bonus

Paid parental leave

Ample free onsite parking

Job summary

George Lord is seeking an ambitious dairy manufacturing leader to take the next step in their career. You’ll take responsibility for a major afternoon shift operation across eight production lines, leading up to 120 people with two Line Managers supporting you.

Reporting to Production Manager, you’ll focus on lifting performance, developing frontline leaders and building a culture of ownership and continuous improvement.

Qualifications

• Experience in dairy manufacturing is essential.
• Established production leader from the dairy industry, capable of managing multiple lines and frontline leaders.
• Proven improvements in production efficiency, waste, quality or workforce performance.

Responsibilities

• Lead the afternoon manufacturing operation, ensuring safe, efficient and consistent production.
• Provide direction, coaching and support to Line Managers and their production teams.
• Drive improvements in line efficiency, throughput, waste reduction and product quality.
• Strengthen operational discipline, accountability and performance across the shift.
• Develop frontline leadership capability and build a skilled, engaged workforce.
• Plan labour allocation, workforce capability and production priorities.
• Work closely with Engineering to improve equipment reliability and minimise downtime.
• Identify and implement practical continuous improvement initiatives.

Skills

Dairy manufacturing

People leadership

Team management

Continuous improvement

Production planning

Quality systems

Safety focus

Coaching

Job description

This is a great opportunity for an ambitious dairy manufacturing leader ready to take the next step in their career.

Take responsibility for a major production operation, leading up to 120 people across eight production lines within one of Australia's largest facilities of its kind.

With significant ongoing investment, an established management structure and a proven history of internal promotion, this is an opportunity to build the experience and credentials for future senior manufacturing leadership.

The Opportunity

You’ll join the Australian manufacturing operation of a global food group that has invested more than $80 million in its facilities and continues to expand its production capability.

Reporting to the Production Manager, you’ll take responsibility for the complete afternoon shift operation, supported by two experienced Line Managers.

Your focus will be on lifting production performance, developing capable frontline leaders and building a culture of ownership, accountability and continuous improvement.

It’s a substantial leadership opportunity with the support and resources of an established manufacturing business.

What You’ll Be Doing

• Lead the afternoon manufacturing operation, ensuring safe, efficient and consistent production.
• Provide direction, coaching and support to Line Managers and their production teams.
• Drive improvements in line efficiency, throughput, waste reduction and product quality.
• Strengthen operational discipline, accountability and performance across the shift.
• Develop frontline leadership capability and build a skilled, engaged workforce.
• Plan labour allocation, workforce capability and production priorities.
• Work closely with Engineering to improve equipment reliability and minimise downtime.
• Identify and implement practical continuous improvement initiatives.

What You’ll Bring

Experience in dairy manufacturing is essential.

You’ll be an established production leader from the dairy industry, comfortable managing teams across multiple production lines and ready to take on greater responsibility.

Ideally, you’ll offer:

• Currently leading a shift or production area of 60 or more people.
• Demonstrated success leading dairy production teams in a high-volume manufacturing environment.
• Experience managing Team Leaders, Supervisors or other frontline leaders.
• A sound understanding of dairy production processes, hygiene requirements, food safety and quality systems.
• Proven improvements in production efficiency, waste, quality or workforce performance.
• Strong people leadership skills, including coaching, performance management and building accountability.
• The confidence, capability and ambition to lead a substantially larger production operation.

Just as importantly, you’ll be able to explain the improvements you’ve personally led — how you identified the opportunity, engaged your people and delivered measurable results.

If you’ve established yourself as a capable leader in dairy manufacturing and are looking for an opportunity to take on greater responsibility, this position offers a genuine platform for career advancement.

The business has a strong record of developing its people. A previous appointment into this very position subsequently progressed to Production Manager, and there are numerous examples of employees advancing from the factory floor into senior leadership.

You’ll gain valuable experience managing a substantial production operation, developing frontline leaders and working closely with experienced manufacturing and engineering management.

Your progression will be driven by your performance, leadership capability and understanding of the business.

Monday to Friday | 2.00pm – 10.00pm

Only occasional Saturday work is required, generally a handful of times each year, with payment or time off in lieu.

The remuneration package includes:

• Base salary plus afternoon shift loading
• Superannuation and performance bonus
• Paid parental leave
• Ample free onsite parking

Applicants must be Australian citizens or permanent residents.