Plant Manager

Job Overview

Lead end-to-end operations of our Australian cable accessory warehouse and kitting facility, with full accountability for day-to-day plant management, long-term strategic planning, and sub-region supply chain oversight. This role oversees warehouse operations, precision kitting assembly, production control, inventory management, logistics, and team leadership, while driving operational excellence (TEOA), upholding rigorous EH&S & wellbeing compliance, and managing industrial relations in a unionized Australian workplace.

Job Responsibilities

Operations & Warehouse Management:

• Oversee the full warehouse lifecycle (goods receipt, storage, picking, dispatch) and production control, purchasing, and shipping/receiving activities; develop and implement standardized SOPs to ensure compliance, efficiency, and orderliness across all plant functions.


• Optimize warehouse layout to maximize space utilization and ensure safe, accessible storage of material.


• Manage inventory accuracy via cycle counts, and annual stock counting; maintain system/physical stock alignment. Oversee the management of product movements and inventory accuracy, ensuring customer and quality expectations are met.


• Lead cable accessory kitting operations: define component matching, quantity ratios, and part number verification standards; eliminate miss-kitting (wrong quantity/part number) to ensure 100% order accuracy.


• Optimize workflows, allocate labor/equipment resources, and reduce error/rework rates to make sure the On Time Delivery and Inventory target are met.


• Drive operational excellence (TEOA) and quality: review processes, systems, and KPIs to improve efficiency, quality, and productivity across all functions; establish and achieve Operation Productivity and Material Productivity targets.

Leadership & Culture

• Produce inspirational leadership with a "lead from the front" attitude for all employees using best practices, encouraging development and excellence of service across the business.


• Leading staffing, development, and performance management programs for plant employees; managing, motivating, and developing management team.


• Provide direction and coordination to employees ensuring motivation and commitment to the company. Create a strong culture of communication and collaboration.


• Manage industrial relations: negotiate enterprise agreements, wage reviews, and benefit packages with Australian trade unions; demonstrate proven experience leading a workforce in a unionized environment.


• Deliver SOP-aligned training programs for all staff, address employee development needs, and minimize staff turnover.


• Optimise reporting systems to maximise efficiencies.  


• Regularly meet with internal customers and team members to ensure production and service meet and exceed expectations.


• Improve the annual EVC survey score by well execution of the “Energize- WOW”

EH&S Management 

• Partner with the EH&S Coordinator to build a proactive Environment, Health & Safety, and wellbeing culture; promote awareness of all company and regulatory requirements to all relevant stakeholders.


• Fully embrace and communicate EH&S objectives, demonstrate strong collaborative and inclusive behaviors, and effectively role model a positive safety culture.


• Embed EH&S into all operational plans and model positive safety behaviors.


• Ensure full EH&S compliance, conduct regular safety audits and training, and eliminate operational risks to achieve zero safety incidents plans.

Financial & General Duties:

• Manage the operational budget accordingly, optimize costs (labour, materials, equipment, logistics), and drive profitability.


• Exercise authority for expenditure as approved by the Delegation of Authority.


• Attend leadership meetings, maintain strict confidentiality, and adhere to all company policies and procedures.


• Complete ad-hoc tasks as assigned by senior management.


• Remain up to date with current policies and procedures and adhere to these.


• Undertake any other relevant duties within the overall scope of the position.

Job Requirements

• Relevant business qualification preferably in operations, supply chain or logistics.


• Minimum ten years of operations management and leadership experience in a technology dispatch or warehouse environment with a turnover of up to AUD $100M


• SAP system experience


• Proficient with Microsoft office technology


• Experience leading workforce in a unionized environment


• Strong interpersonal skills and can communicate effectively with key stakeholders and customers.


• Excellent planning and organisational skills.


• Sound leadership and motivational skills.


• Passion and energy.


• Strong team orientation to positively influence others.


• High attention to detail.


• Flexible and can adjust to changing circumstances/ thrives in a dynamic environment.


• Quality focused, and achievement orientated.


• Comfortable within a matrix organisation

Competencies