Operations Manager - Afternoon

• Lead Palmwoods' afternoon shift and drive operational excellence
• Enjoy flexibility, great benefits and iconic Australian brands
• Develop a high performing team in a people-first workplace

Reporting to the Plant Manager and SHE Lead, the Operations Manager - Afternoon Shift is a critical leadership role responsible for the safety, performance and engagement of our Palmwoods manufacturing operation. Leading a team of frontline leaders and operators, you will drive operational excellence across Safety, Quality, Delivery and Cost while developing a high-performing culture built on accountability, collaboration and continuous improvement.

Why Choose Us

Our success hinges on our people, who are our greatest asset. We put our people first, people who take what they do seriously but not themselves and have been recognized as an Employer of Choice. We are home to some of Australia’s most iconic brands including Keens, Aeroplane Jelly and Gourmet Garden and we are proud to be The Future of Flavor!

Benefits

• A supportive culture & work-life balance: enjoy a workplace that prioritizes your well-being, offering flexible schedules to ensure you can balance work and personal life seamlessly.

• Health & Wellness Initiatives: Access a variety of programs focused on your physical and mental well-being, including fitness challenges and wellness workshops.

• Community Engagement: Be part of a team that gives back! Participate in regional and local charity events and make a positive impact in our community.

• Family-Friendly Policies: Benefit from generous paid parental leave and partner pay entitlements, along with a supportive program to help you transition back to work as a new parent.

• Employee Recognition: Celebrate your achievements with our comprehensive recognition and rewards program, highlighting your contributions and hard work.

• Engagement Activities: Enjoy regular fun-filled events like food trucks, coffee vans, and BBQs to foster camaraderie and team spirit.

• Flexible Novated Lease Options: Take advantage of novated lease programs with SG Fleet and Toyota for a convenient way to manage your vehicle expenses.

About the Role

The successful candidate will be able to demonstrate:

• Accountability for delivering overall operational results across Safety, Quality, People and Performance for the afternoon shift, with direct leadership of the Production Supervisor and broader shift team.
• Strong leadership capability, driving a culture of ownership, accountability and engagement where employees are empowered to contribute, problem-solve and actively participate in continuous improvement initiatives.
• Proven experience leveraging Total Productive Maintenance (TPM) methodologies, systems and tools to identify losses, improve equipment reliability, eliminate waste and drive sustainable operational excellence.
• Ownership and management of operational budgets, including labour, materials and controllable costs, while providing input into capital investment planning and execution.
• Demonstrated ability to lead and develop high-performing teams through coaching, succession planning, performance management and capability development.
• A track record of achieving production targets while maintaining the highest standards of food safety, quality, compliance and workplace health and safety.
• Strong stakeholder management and communication skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively across Operations, Engineering, Supply Chain, Quality and Continuous Improvement teams.
• Experience using data, KPIs and root cause analysis tools to drive decision-making, improve performance and deliver measurable business outcomes.
• The ability to effectively manage change, building engagement and commitment through periods of transformation and business growth.

About You

You are a capable and people-focused operational leader who thrives in a fast-paced manufacturing environment. You know how to balance safety, quality, cost and performance while building a culture where teams feel engaged, accountable and empowered to deliver their best every day.

Ideally, you will bring:

• Proven leadership experience in manufacturing, FMCG, food production or a similar operational environment, with a track record of leading large teams and delivering outstanding results.
• Strong experience driving operational excellence through continuous improvement, TPM and data-driven decision-making that improves productivity, reliability and cost performance.
• Commercial acumen, including ownership of budgets, labour management, waste reduction and delivering sustainable business outcomes.
• The ability to lead through change, inspire high performance and translate strategic objectives into clear priorities and actions for frontline teams.
• A tertiary qualification in Engineering, Operations, Business, Supply Chain or a related discipline will be highly regarded.

How to Apply

If you are a motivated leader with a passion for driving operational excellence, developing high-performing teams, and delivering results in a fast-paced manufacturing environment, we'd love to hear from you.

Apply today with a copy of your resume along with a brief cover letter outlining your relevant experience and what attracts you to this opportunity. Applications should demonstrate experience in leading teams, improving operational performance, and maintaining strong safety and quality standards. Join a business where your leadership will make a real impact and help shape the success of our afternoon shift operations.

Applications Close Friday, 4 December 2026.

Please note that due to our comprehensive recruitment process we will not be able to respond to individual enquiries regarding the status of your application. Only qualified candidates that have been selected for interview will be contacted following interview. Our recruitment process will commence from the date the position is advertised and may be filled prior to the closing date. Thank you for your understanding and interest in this position.

We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer. If you are a qualified applicant, you will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, religion, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, age, or any other characteristic protected by law.