Site Operations Manager | Wine & Beverage Co-Packaging

SANECTOR; Mildura; On-site; AUD 180,000 - 260,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive executive salary package

Autonomy to lead change

Stability of SMYA Group

Job summary

SANECTOR is seeking a senior Site Operations Manager to take full ownership of a high-volume bottling facility in Mildura. Reporting to the General Manager, you will lead safety, quality, production, warehousing and people, driving operational excellence and a high-performance culture.

You will champion continuous improvement, cost control and customer outcomes while partnering with cross-functional teams to unlock growth opportunities and maintain uncompromising standards.

Qualifications

• Significant experience (5+ years) leading operations/manufacturing management in high-volume settings.
• Strong leadership across shifts with proven ability to develop and retain teams.
• Experience in co-packaging, contract packing, wine/beverage or food manufacturing.
• Budget management, cost control and resource planning experience.

Responsibilities

• Lead site operations across manufacturing, warehousing, safety and quality to meet targets.
• Build and coach a large multi-shift team emphasizing engagement and accountability.
• Own full P&L and budget, driving cost control and efficiency.
• Drive Lean and continuous improvement initiatives to improve productivity and profitability.
• Collaborate with customers, suppliers and Sales to deliver service and growth.
• Provide strategic planning, data-driven decisions and executive reporting.

Skills

People leadership

Operations management

Budget management

Lean manufacturing

Data driven decisions

Stakeholder management

Job description

San Miguel Yamamura Australasia (SMYA) is an established leader in packaging and contract wine filling in Australia and New Zealand. SMYA, a collective packaging specialist is composes of its key group members being, COSPAK, Vinocor, JMP Retail and SANECTOR.

SANECTOR is a dynamic partner to Australia’s wine & beverage industries, providing a comprehensive end-to-end service across bottling, co-packaging, warehousing and distribution.

We are now seeking an accomplished Site Operations Manager to take full ownership of our high-volume bottling facility in Mildura.

This is a rare opportunity for a senior Manufacturing / Production Leader to lead a critical site, shape performance, and drive growth.

About the Role:

Reporting directly to the General Manager, you will provide strategic and hands-on operational leadership for the entire SANECTOR site. This is a true end-to-end leadership role - you will own safety, quality, production, warehousing, and most importantly, people.

You will lead from the front to deliver operational excellence, sustainable performance improvement, and exceptional customer outcomes while building a high-performance, values-driven culture.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead and inspire all site operations across manufacturing, production, warehousing, safety and quality - ensuring production targets, OTIF and customer expectations are consistently exceeded
• Build, coach and empower a large multi-shift team; championing engagement, capability development and accountability across all levels
• Full P&L and budget ownership - driving cost control, labour and resource planning, and operational efficiency to meet and exceed financial targets
• Drive a continuous improvement mindset - identifying and delivering Lean and operational excellence initiatives that improve productivity, yield and profitability
• Partner closely with customers, suppliers and our national Sales team to deliver outstanding service and unlock new business opportunities
• Lead strategic growth initiatives through robust operational planning, data-driven decision making and executive reporting
• Proactively anticipate and resolve operational challenges to minimise disruption and ensure consistent, high-quality production performance
• Ensure uncompromising compliance with WHS, quality standards (HACCP, GMP), and company policies and procedures
• Provide clear, concise reporting to the General Manager on site performance, budget outcomes, productivity and improvement initiatives
• Live and champion our SMYA POWER values: Passion, Outstanding, Win, Empower and Respect

What are we looking for?

We’re looking for a proven people-leader with operational gravitas. You’re as comfortable on the floor motivating your team as you are in the boardroom talking strategy and numbers:

• Significant experience (5+ years) leading operations / manufacturing management in a high-volume, fast-paced environment
• Demonstrated strength in people leadership - you have a track record of building, motivating and retaining high-performing teams across shifts
• Highly regarded: Experience in co-packaging, contract packing, wine, beverage, FMCG or food manufacturing
• Strong commercial acumen with proven experience in budget management, cost control and resource planning
• Exceptional stakeholder management and communication skills - able to influence, negotiate and engage at all levels, from shop floor to customer
• Analytical, solutions-focused leader with high initiative, resilience and flexibility
• Lean Manufacturing / Continuous Improvement experience highly advantageous (Six Sigma, 5S, Kaizen)

Why Join SANECTOR?

Our people are at the heart of everything we do. You’ll be joining a values-driven, supportive leadership group with real autonomy to make your mark.

We offer:

• A senior leadership role with genuine strategic influence and autonomy to lead change
• Competitive executive salary package
• The backing of the wider SMYA Group - a stable, growing leader in Australasia
• Opportunity to lead major continuous improvement and growth projects
• A collaborative, safety-first culture focused on quality, teamwork and development

If you are a senior manufacturing leader who thrives on developing people, driving performance, and leading a critical site in the heart of Australia’s wine region - we want to hear from you.

Candidates must have Full Working Rights with no restrictions.

As an Equal Opportunity Employer, SMYA strives to create an inclusive environment for all employees. We welcome applicants from diverse backgrounds to apply .