National Operations Manager

About the Company and Role

Join a leading and highly respected global food manufacturing company with a strong presence throughout Australia and a bold expansion strategy. This organisation operates on a large scale, employing thousands and producing some of the most popular brands nationwide. It has a values-driven culture focused on safety, quality, and employee development, offering an exceptional platform for an operations leader aiming to make a significant impact.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and nurture a workforce exceeding 800 employees, cultivating a culture prioritizing safety, quality, accountability, and continuous enhancement.
• Formulate and implement a clear operational vision aligned with the overall company strategy and long-term expansion goals.
• Take full ownership of the profit and loss across site operations by optimizing labor, materials, and overhead costs to meet budgeted objectives.
• Promote operational excellence through lean manufacturing, structured problem-solving, and rigorous continuous improvement methodologies.
• Supervise comprehensive manufacturing activities including engineering, quality assurance, and safety management.
• Drive the safety program within operations, fostering a proactive and risk-based approach that treats safety as a fundamental value.
• Ensure compliance with all pertinent regulatory, environmental, and quality frameworks such as ISO, BRC, and HACCP.
• Enhance leadership capabilities throughout the organization through structured training, coaching, and succession planning.

Candidate Profile and Experience

• Senior operational leadership experience in FMCG, food manufacturing, or intricate industrial settings, overseeing multi-site operations.
• Extensive knowledge across critical operational areas including manufacturing, engineering, quality control, and safety procedures.
• Proven track record of boosting operational performance employing lean methods, continuous improvement, and structured problem-solving.
• Demonstrated ability to lead and transform large, diverse workforces with a successful history in multi-site leadership and cultural change management.
• Commercial expertise with direct experience handling P&Ls and achieving budget targets.
• Strong skills in organizational design, workforce planning, and cultivating high-performance leadership teams.
• Familiarity with regulatory and compliance standards concerning safety, hygiene, and environmental considerations.
• Experience in meat processing or protein manufacturing is an advantage but not mandatory.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management abilities capable of influencing all hierarchy levels.

What Is Offered

This role represents a landmark career opportunity for a senior operations executive prepared to lead a complex manufacturing network. The position offers autonomy to develop strategy, drive cultural transformation, and establish a lasting legacy, supported by the resources and vision of a global organisation. In addition to a competitive executive remuneration package, the company values its employees, rewards strong contributions, and provides avenues for ongoing advancement at the executive tier.