Production Manager
- Lead and develop a team of approximately 40 direct reports.
- Oversee manufacturing activities across three shifts (24/5) ensuring compliance with food safety standards.
- Drive continuous improvement and operational strategies aligned to business goals.
Company Description
Circular Plastics Australia (CPA) transforms post-consumer PET from kerbside and recovery streams into high-quality, food-grade recycled resin for reuse in packaging applications.
Our purpose-built Altona North facility is FSSC 22000 accredited, operating to globally recognised food safety standards. The resin we produce can be used for food contact packaging - a step change from traditional recycling - requiring strong process discipline, control, and a quality mindset similar to food manufacturing environments.
Job Description
About this opportunity
Location - Altona North
We are seeking an experienced Production Manager to lead a complex, highly automated manufacturing site producing food-grade recycled resin under FSSC standards. That means the expectations on quality, process control and operational discipline are higher than most recycling environments.
You’ll be accountable for performance across safety, quality, cost and output, but more importantly, for building the culture and operating rhythm that makes those outcomes repeatable. The role requires someone who can move between the floor and the data. Someone who understands that hitting volume means very little if you don’t hit specification.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead, coach, and develop a team of approximately 40 direct reports
- Drive a safety-first, high quality culture, recognising the requirements of a food-contact, FSSC-accredited operation
- Oversee all manufacturing activities across three shifts (24/5)
- Develop and execute operational strategies aligned to business goals and KPIs
- Identify and resolve process capability and “fitness for manufacture” issues, particularly those impacting product quality and compliance
- Build and sustain a culture of continuous improvement, embedding standard work and best practices
- Analyse production costs and implement strategies to improve profitability and reduce waste
- Manage daily and weekly production schedules to optimise efficiency and DIFOT performance
- Ensure compliance with all regulatory, food safety, and company standards
Your skills and experience
- Minimum 5 years’ people leadership experience in a manufacturing environment
- Experience working in environments where quality and compliance are critical (food, pharma, chemical or equivalent highly regarded)
- Demonstrated success in low margin, high volume operations
- Proven ability to lead in complex, automated facilities and drive continuous improvement
- Experience with lean operations and Industry 4.0 technologies (desirable)
- Proficiency in manufacturing systems (ERP, MES)
- A genuine continuous improvement mindset (Lean / Six Sigma experience desirable)
- Ability to communicate clearly and influence at all levels of the organisation
- Strong problem-solving, analytical and decision-making capability
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in Manufacturing, Engineering, Science, or Business (advantageous).
- Formal training in Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, or similar methodologies (desirable).
- Australia/New Zealand experience in manufacturing or recycling.
- Current knowledge of Australian workplace health and safety regulations
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