Technical Operations Manager

026 Heidelberg Materials Australia Pty Ltd; Sydney; On-site; AUD 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Heidelberg Materials Australia Pty Ltd seeks a Technical Operations Manager to lead the NSW concrete laboratory network from Granville. You will steer strategic direction, oversee budgets and testing revenue, drive safety and quality, and foster continuous improvement.

You will travel between Greater Sydney and Newcastle, with a company vehicle provided, leading a capable team and liaising with stakeholders to deliver exceptional customer outcomes.

Qualifications

• Qualifications in Engineering, Construction Materials Testing, or a related discipline.
• NATA Signatory status or experience managing accredited laboratory operations is desirable.
• Proven track record leading specialist teams and high-performance cultures.

Responsibilities

• Lead Granville and Warabrook laboratory operations, managing budgets, utilization, testing revenue, costs and profitability.
• Provide strategic leadership across the NSW laboratory network and ensure alignment with objectives.
• Drive compliance with NATA framework, standards, and regulatory requirements for quality and safety.
• Champion a strong safety culture and OH&S compliance across teams.
• Develop laboratory capability and coach teams to foster continuous improvement.
• Collaborate with Technical, Field Testing, Operations and Sales teams to deliver customer outcomes.
• Oversee lab equipment management, calibration, and asset optimization.
• Identify opportunities to improve processes and service delivery.
• Contribute to broader business initiatives and strategic planning.

Skills

Leadership

Strategic thinking

Budget management

Safety leadership

Stakeholder management

Education

Engineering degree

Science degree

Construction Materials Testing qualification

Job description

Technical Operations Manager

We have an exciting opportunity for an enthusiastic, energetic, and driven individual to join our team as our new Technical Operations Manager. This opportunity is based at our Granville Laboratory and will require travel between Greater Sydney and Newcastle, with a fully maintained company vehicle supplied. You will be joining a strong team culture where personal and professional growth is valued, and your contributions towards our success are recognised.

As the Technical Operations Manager, you will lead the NSW concrete laboratory network, providing strategic direction, operational leadership, and technical oversight to ensure the highest standards of quality, compliance, customer service, and business performance. You will play a critical role in developing laboratory capability, driving continuous improvement initiatives, and ensuring the long-term success of our operations. Our ideal candidate will be someone who resonates with our company values of CARE, COLLABORATION, and OWNERSHIP.

In your new role, you will:

• Lead and manage the Granville and Warabrook laboratory operations, driving business performance through effective management of budgets, utilisation, testing revenue, operational costs, and profitability.
• Provide strategic leadership and technical governance across the NSW laboratory network, ensuring alignment with business objectives and customer requirements.
• Drive compliance with the NATA accreditation framework, relevant standards, and regulatory requirements, maintaining the highest levels of quality assurance and technical excellence.
• Champion a strong safety culture, ensuring all employees comply with OH&S requirements, company policies, and legislative obligations.
• Lead, coach, and develop laboratory teams, fostering a high-performance culture focused on capability development, accountability, and continuous improvement.
• Partner with Technical, Field Testing, Operational, and Sales teams to deliver exceptional customer outcomes and technical support.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders to support business growth and operational excellence.
• Oversee laboratory equipment management, including maintenance, servicing, calibration, capital planning, and asset optimization.
• Identify and implement opportunities to improve laboratory processes, efficiencies, and service delivery.
• Contribute to broader business initiatives and strategic planning activities that support Heidelberg Materials’ operational and commercial objectives.

This role is a great fit for you, if:

• You hold qualifications in Engineering, Construction Materials Testing, Science, or a related discipline.
• Previous NATA Signatory status and experience managing accredited laboratory operations will be highly regarded.
• You have a track record of effectively leading specialist teams and developing high-performance culture.
• You possess strong commercial acumen, with experience managing budgets, resources, and operational performance.
• You are passionate about delivering exceptional customer service and achieving outstanding business results.
• You have a proven ability to build strong and effective relationships with a broad range of internal and external stakeholders.
• You are a strategic thinker with strong planning, problem-solving, and decision-making capabilities.
• You have a total commitment to risk management, safety leadership, and our Zero Harm culture.
• You are capable of driving change, influencing outcomes, and leading continuous improvement initiatives.

What we offer:

• An attractive remuneration package.
• A fully maintained company vehicle and tools of trade.
• Company uniforms and PPE provided.
• Support from a highly experienced national technical leadership team.
• The opportunity to lead and influence a critical function within a growing global organisation.
• Ongoing career development and leadership progression opportunities.
• A collaborative and supportive culture that values innovation and continuous improvement.

About Heidelberg Materials

With more than 4,000 employees across 300 sites, we have an extensive production and logistics network across Australia. We think global and act local - we benefit from global research and development enhanced by national collaboration to offer a comprehensive range of high-quality concrete, aggregates, road base, sand and asphalt products. We also produce a wide range of sustainable and recycled construction materials for civil construction and infrastructure projects. We are driven by excellence and high performance and together we will shape Australia’s construction materials industry building a legacy for generations to come. Shaping the future, building successes Heidelberg Materials - your springboard into the future of the construction materials industry. As a globally leading company in the construction sector, we manufacture one of the most widely used products, paving the way not only toward more sustainable production but also toward your personal success story. Our bold and innovative approach focuses on massive CO2 reduction, efficient recycling technologies, and digital solutions - setting new standards for the industry. In our globally connected and locally rooted community, your ideas have the power to shape a better tomorrow for people. With us, you’re not just shaping the industry’s future; you’re shaping your own. Let’s get to work! Heidelberg Materials is one of the world's largest integrated manufacturers of building materials and solutions with leading market positions in cement, aggregates, and ready-mixed concrete. We are represented in more than 50 countries with around 51,000 employees at almost 3,000 locations. At the centre of our actions lies the responsibility for the environment. As the front runner on the path to carbon neutrality and circular economy in the building materials industry, we are working on sustainable building materials and solutions for the future. We enable new opportunities for our customers through digitalisation.