Team Leader - SP1 (AM) - Value Add

Hazeldenes Chicken; Bendigo; On-site; AUD 90,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Hazeldenes Chicken in Victoria seeks a hands-on Team Leader to drive daily production on the floor and mentor a diverse team. You’ll ensure schedules, quality, and safety standards are met while supporting continuous improvement and employee development.

This role combines on-floor leadership with planning and collaboration with HR, with a focus on GMP compliance and workplace wellbeing. Join a proudly Australian brand delivering quality poultry across regional Victoria.

Qualifications

• Experience leading production teams in manufacturing or poultry/hard goods environments.
• Strong on-floor leadership with ability to mentor and develop staff.
• Good understanding of GMP, OHS, and quality standards.

Responsibilities

• Lead on-floor production activities with 75% on-floor presence.
• Ensure production schedules are executed, meeting throughput, quality, and safety targets.
• Identify and resolve operational issues impacting performance and efficiency.
• Support machine performance and reliability through issue escalation and maintenance coordination.
• Coach, train, and mentor employees; manage breaks and rotations; support HR-related processes.

Skills

Leadership

People management

Operational excellence

Safety awareness

Job description

With over 80 years of proud history, Hazeldenes is more than just a name in poultry - we’re a trusted household brand driven by innovation, quality, and community. From our humble beginnings in Kangaroo Flat to our world-class operations across regional Victoria, we’ve built a legacy powered by passionate people.

At Hazeldenes, you’ll be part of a diverse team doing extraordinary things - whether it’s on the farm, in production, or behind the scenes in engineering, logistics, and beyond. We value every background, every skillset, and every individual who contributes to our success.

Grow your career. Be part of something bigger. Join Hazeldenes.

Primary Objective

The Team Leader is responsible for ensuring the effectiveness and efficiency of employee skills and resources within their respective department. This is achieved by fostering a cohesive team environment, establishing trust, and developing strong working relationships with employees. The Team Leader provides hands-on leadership, ensures compliance with safety and quality standards, and actively mentors employees to enhance their skills and engagement.

In this role, the Team Leader will be responsible for supervising daily operations, driving continuous improvement initiatives, and supporting company goals through structured planning and execution.

Key Responsibilities

This role should typically be completed as a mix of on/off floor activities, however it is considered to be at least 75% (5-6 hours per day) on-floor role.

Operational Leadership

• Maintain a strong presence on the production floor, actively engaging in processes to lead by example.
• Ensure the execution of production schedules, meeting throughput, quality, and safety standards.
• Address and eliminate any operational issues that may impact performance or efficiency.
• Support machine performance and reliability through effective issue escalation and resolution processes.

Personnel & Team Management

• Supervise, train, and mentor employees, ensuring compliance with policies and procedures.
• Conduct on-the-job training, performance monitoring, and employee development initiatives.
• Foster a positive and inclusive work culture, encouraging open communication and accountability.
• Monitor team rotations, manage breaks, and optimize labor distribution for efficiency.
• Participate in performance management processes, including feedback and disciplinary procedures in collaboration with HR.

Safety & Compliance

• Promote and enforce workplace safety, ensuring adherence to OHS regulations.
• Complete safety walks, incident reporting, and support injured workers as per Return to Work Plans.
• Ensure compliance with Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) and other industry-specific safety and quality regulations.
• Support animal welfare practices in accordance with industry and company standards.

Strategic & Continuous Improvement

• Assist in departmental planning, goal setting, and implementation of change management initiatives.
• Identify and develop potential future leaders through coaching and mentoring.
• Participate in continuous improvement efforts, sharing insights and solutions for process enhancements.
• Ensure timely and accurate documentation of operational, safety, and performance reports.

Values & Culture

• Demonstrate and uphold Hazeldenes’ values, including integrity, quality, safety, and innovation.
• Cultivate a diverse and inclusive work environment, fostering team cohesion and engagement.
• Champion employee well-being and proactively address concerns impacting team morale and performance.

Disclaimer

The duties and responsibilities outlined above are not exhaustive and may change from time to time based on business needs. Employees may be required to perform additional tasks as directed by management.

If you’re ready to be part of a dynamic, forward-thinking team and contribute to a proudly Australian success story, we’d love to hear from you.

We are an equal opportunity employer committed to building a diverse and inclusive workplace. We strongly encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, individuals from culturally diverse backgrounds, and people of all abilities.

Learn more about us

www.hazeldenes.com.au

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