Production Manager

About Us

Our client is a proud, family-owned, 100% Australian cheese operation based in Albury. We raise our own cattle and produce high-quality milk, which is transported just down the road to create our premium cheese, yoghurt, and sour cream products.

As one of the largest Australian-owned producers of haloumi and fetta, we are committed to quality, consistency, and excellence in everything we do.

Our client is committed to quality, efficiency, and continuous innovation. We take pride in delivering fresh, premium dairy products to our customers while fostering a safe, collaborative, and high-performing workplace culture.

The Opportunity

We are seeking an experienced and operational Production Manager to lead end to end production operations and drive continuous manufacturing excellence. Reporting directly to the CEO, you will hold operational accountability for plant performance-balancing safety, volume output, cost control, yield optimization, and product quality.

As a key member of our leadership team, you will oversee production, manage operational budgets, foster a strong Food Safety culture, and mentor direct reports, including the Production Coordinator (2IC), Continuous Improvement Manager and Production Team members

Key Responsibilities

Operations Management & Execution: Direct day-to-day manufacturing operations to consistently meet volume targets, site KPIs, and budget parameters. Scheduling & Efficiency: Refine and optimize production schedules while maintaining appropriate staffing levels across operational shifts. Quality & Dairy Compliance: Drive strict adherence to HACCP, GMP, WHS, and dairy regulations Yield & Right First Time Performance: Take ownership of Right First Time (RFT) metrics and yield recovery, investigating root causes for off-spec batches, rework, and waste. Financial Management: Develop and manage the OPEX budget, optimizing unit production and labour costs. Team Leadership & Development: Lead, mentor, and empower production staff, supervising the training, safety, and development of supervisors and operators.

What We Are Looking For

Proven experience as a Production Manager within the dairy or broader food manufacturing industry. Demonstrated ability to lead high-performing teams, build strong relationships and foster a culture of accountability, safety and continuous improvement Hands-on experience with Lean, Six Sigma, or continuous improvement frameworks to minimize downtime and waste. Technical knowledge and experience: Understanding of pasteurization, CIP (Cleaning-in-Place) systems, mass balance, and component yield management. Qualifications: Degree in Food Science, Food Technology, Engineering, Manufacturing or Management or equivalent practical industry expertise is highly regarded.

What We Offer

A key leadership role within a growing Dairy manufacturing organisation Competitive Salary Package: Generous base salary + superannuation + potential performance incentives. Impact & Ownership: Autonomy to lead operations, drive process change, and shape our production site culture. Culture: A collaborative, safety-first work environment centered around quality and operational pride.