Step into a high-impact operational leadership role within one of Australia’s largest and most recognisable FMCG manufacturers. Based at our Wacol facility, this is a great opportunity to lead end‑to‑end manufacturing operations in a fast‑paced, high‑volume, high‑SKU environment — while building your capability for future senior operational leadership within the organisation. We’re seeking a strong, floor‑led leader who thrives on visibility, accountability and disciplined execution. If you’re a plant operator at heart, who drives performance through people, process and presence, this role offers the scale and challenge to elevate your career. Key Responsibilities • Lead day-to-day manufacturing operations within the Wacol site, ensuring smooth, compliant and efficient production from raw materials through to finished goods. • Translate strategic objectives into actionable operational plans that deliver safety, quality, productivity, cost, and service outcomes. • Drive high performance through disciplined daily rhythms, clear accountability, and strong labour utilisation. • Embed a safety-first culture by enforcing safety protocols, proactively managing hazards, and ensuring adherence to WHS and food safety standards. • Champion lean manufacturing, continuous improvement, and waste reduction initiatives across the plant. • Build strong cross-functional partnerships in supply chain, engineering, finance, quality and people & culture to enhance operational performance. • Lead and coach a multi-shift workforce • Develop capability within the next leadership layer, driving succession, performance uplift and consistent standards. • Manage costs and operational budgets, ensuring efficiency without compromising service or quality. • Support digital transformation, automation and capital projects that strengthen plant reliability and agility. • Promote a culture of inclusion, engagement, wellbeing and high performance across all teams. • Influence outcomes across a complex operational workforce, driving results through presence and credibility—not hierarchy. What You’ll Bring • 8–10 years' experience in FMCG or high‑volume manufacturing operations, with at least 5 years in senior, multi-shift leadership. • Extensive experience in manufacturing plant operations • Strong grounding in lean manufacturing, continuous improvement, cost optimisation and disciplined operational execution. • Leadership style built on presence, visibility and accountability—you lead from the floor. • Ability to influence across large, complex teams and deliver outcomes through relationships and credibility. • Proven experience developing leaders, lifting performance and building capability at scale. • Strong analytical mindset with the ability to interpret data, manage KPIs and drive decisions through numbers. • Solid understanding of food safety, WHS, compliance and quality systems. • ERP proficiency (and ideally exposure to automation, digital tools and modern manufacturing systems). • A resilient, hands-on, commercially savvy approach Why Join Primo? • Clear progression pathway into a more senior operational leadership role • High‑volume, complex manufacturing environment with significant impact • Strong visibility with senior leadership and influence on site strategy • People‑first culture with a focus on engagement, wellbeing and performance • Major transformation projects including automation and digitisation • Relocation support available for interstate candidates Ready to Lead the Future? If you’re a strong operational leader who’s ready to step into a high-profile role with genuine succession potential, we’d love to hear from you. Primo Foods is Australia’s most recognised and trusted smallgoods brand, proudly part of JBS Australia, the country’s largest and most respected meat and food producer. From our beginnings in a small butcher shop in 1957, we’ve grown into the market leader in high quality smallgoods. At Primo, our people are the key to our success. Their passion, skill and care go into every product we make, combining traditional methods with modern techniques to deliver food that’s simply made better to taste better. Join a team that takes pride in what we do and is driven to keep raising the bar. There’s good, there’s great, and then there’s Primo.
