Manufacturing Manager

Job title: Manufacturing Manager

About the Role The Manufacturing Manager leads the plant's manufacturing function, guiding the team to achieve world-class safety, quality, cost, delivery and morale. They are responsible for meeting targets set by the Plant Manager, delivering production requirements on time with exceptional quality and service, and driving continuous improvement through cross-functional collaboration. They coach and develop the team to maximise potential and drive overall plant results.

What You'll Do

• Meet or exceed targets set by the Plant Manager and ensure production requirements and deadlines are achieved with quality and safety.
• Create and implement a manufacturing improvement plan and new processes, working cross-functionally with Engineering, Warehouse, CI, and other functions.
• Coach and develop the team to enable full potential and improve plant results.
• Ensure equipment and resources are utilised effectively, manage and optimise labour, and maximise production capability.
• Analyse production data to identify losses, root-cause them with the help of the teams, implement fixes, document standard work, and train the teams.
• Lead and coach root-cause problem solving.
• Communicate priorities to the teams and escalate issues within their area of ownership.
• Deliver operational targets across the plant (Safety, Quality, Cost, Delivery, Morale).
• Maintain professional behaviour and high shop floor appearance standards at all times.
• Stay aware of shop floor results, current and future priorities, and keep the team informed.
• Possess strong knowledge of technical aspects of lines, quality, safety, planning, reliability, and schedule adherence systems to lead activities from a position of authority.
• Be proactive in seeking improvements, anticipating and fixing problems before they occur.
• Drive team development and engagement to enable self-sufficient teams without recourse to a manager.
• Handle emergencies that might occur (e.g. fire).
• Manage the performance of the Shift Leaders.
• Build effective working relationships with cross-functional teams (Engineering, Planning, Warehouse, etc.).
• Safety: Support the team to deliver safety targets, role model safety, ensure adherence to safety rules and procedures, maintain a clean and safe work environment, ensure line pre-checks are carried out and issues addressed, engage with colleagues, share safety information, and ensure near misses are reported promptly.

What We're Looking For

• Proven leadership of a manufacturing/production team with a track record of delivering safety, quality, cost, and delivery targets.
• Strong data analysis, root-cause problem solving, and implementing fixes.
• Ability to coach and develop teams, foster self-sufficient teams, and work cross-functionally with Engineering, Planning, and Warehouse.
• Solid knowledge of manufacturing operations, quality, safety, planning, reliability, and schedule adherence systems.
• Excellent communication and prioritization skills; able to escalate issues and manage emergencies.
• Safety-focused with the ability to model safe behaviours.

Nice to Have

• Experience leading continuous improvement initiatives and cross-functional projects.
• Experience with root-cause analysis and Kaizen-style improvements.
• Demonstrated ability to develop high-performing, self-sufficient teams.