Works Manager

Sulzer; Newcastle; On-site; AUD 55,000 - 83,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

On-site parking

Training and development opportunities

Employee Assistance Program

Overtime opportunities

Competitive hourly rate & wage reviews

Job summary

Sulzer is seeking an Operations/Manufacturing/Production Manager in Newcastle, Australia. You will manage day-to-day workshop activities, ensure safety, quality and efficiency, and collaborate with the Service Centre Manager to achieve operational and financial targets.

The role requires 5+ years in supervision, strong technical knowledge of electrical/mechanical products, and excellent communication and planning skills.

Qualifications

• 5+ years in a supervisory role within an engineering/workshop environment.
• 5+ years’ experience with electrical and/or mechanical products.
• Excellent communication and time-management skills.
• Ability to engage with diverse teams and stakeholders.
• Willingness to travel up to ~20% of the time.

Responsibilities

• Lead and promote a strong safety culture, ensuring compliance with safety, quality and environmental requirements.
• Oversee day-to-day workshop operations for safe, efficient, and productive execution.
• Hold supervisors and staff accountable for performance, productivity, quality and safety.
• Collaborate with the Service Centre Manager to meet operational, financial, and customer targets.
• Plan and manage workshop capacity, labour utilisation and workflow to meet delivery commitments.
• Lead production planning and regular WWIP meetings to maintain priorities and schedules.
• Ensure projects are delivered on time, within budget and to required quality.
• Oversee job estimating, costing and project close-out for profitability and reporting.
• Build and maintain strong customer relationships and manage expectations.
• Drive continuous improvement to enhance safety, efficiency, quality and operations.
• Develop and coach staff and address performance issues.
• Prepare operational, project and performance reports as required.
• Implement company and SC policy and QESH requirements.
• Maintain a clean and safe work environment and assist with ad hoc duties as needed.

Skills

5+ Years’ supervisory experience

Electrical/Mechanical products

Strong communication skills

Time management

Engage and collaborate

Travel <20%

Education

Trade qualification in electrical/mechanical engineering

Post trade qualifications

Job description

Sulzer is a leading engineering company with a proud heritage of innovation. Join our global team to grow your expertise and develop innovative solutions that enable a prosperous and more sustainable society.

About the role

Job Summary
The Operations / Manufacturing / Production Manager is responsible for managing day-to-day production or service center activities, ensuring efficiency, quality, and safety in manufacturing or service processes. This role supervises teams, coordinates resources, and supports continuous improvement efforts.
This job profile is intended for People Managers of 4+ junior to experienced expert-level roles.

In collaboration with the Service Centre Manager, manage, control and supervise all operational activities of the Workshop including the costing of works for tender and the scheduling and coordination of the flow of work between the departments. We will consider all candidates who have come from an engineering/workshop environment and holds strong technical knowledge across Motors. As a minimum Supervisory experience is essential, coupled with a personality who is passionate and committed to their career.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead and promote a strong safety culture, ensuring compliance with all Company and Service Centre safety, quality, and environmental requirements.
• Manage the day-to-day operation of the workshop, ensuring safe, efficient, and productive execution of work.
• Hold supervisors and employees accountable for performance, productivity, quality, safety, and adherence to company standards.
• Work closely with the Service Centre Manager to achieve operational, financial, and customer service targets.
• Plan and manage workshop capacity, labour utilisation, and workflow to meet delivery commitments.
• Lead production planning and regular work-in-progress meetings to ensure priorities and schedules are achieved.
• Ensure all projects and work scopes are delivered on time, within budget, and to the required quality standards.
• Oversee job estimating, costing, and project close-out to support profitability and accurate financial reporting.
• Build and maintain strong customer relationships, ensuring commitments and expectations are consistently met.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives to enhance safety, efficiency, quality, and operational performance.
• Develop, coach, and support employees while addressing performance issues and fostering accountability.
• Prepare operational, project, and performance reports as required.
• Implement all Company and SC policy requirements as directed by SC Management.
• Implement all QESH requirements as directed by SC Management.
• Ensure that the Company QESH systems are adhered to in the Department and always promote a clean and safe work environment.
• Other ad hoc duties as required by SC Management.

Education requirements

• Trade Qualification in Electrical / Mechanical Engineering or related discipline.
• Post trade qualifications

Key skills / Experience / Job Requirements

• 5+ Years’ experience in supervisory position.
• 5+ years’ experience with Electrical / Mechanical products l
• Strong communication skills.
• High level skills in time management.
• Ability to engage and work with others.
• Ability to travel ~<20% of the time.

What we offer you

Benefits - Why work with us?

• Competitive hourly rate & annual wage reviews because your hard work deserves recognition.
• Opportunities for overtime when available to boost your earnings.
• Employee Assistance Program because your wellbeing matters.
• Training and development opportunities to fuel your career growth.
• On-site parking for your convenience.
• Work for a global organization that values innovation, excellence, and above all, its people and customers.

Sulzer is an equal opportunity employer. We believe in the strength of a diverse workforce and are committed to offering an inclusive work environment.

We are proud to be recognized as a Top Employer 2026 in Brazil, Canada, China, Finland, Germany, Ireland, Mexico, Switzerland, South Africa, the UK and the USA.