The Company
Our client is a recently established food manufacturer with a flagship project to develop a brand-new food manufacturing facility in Pakenham. The business is positioned around quality, localisation, and healthier formulations, responding to growing consumer demand for trusted, locally made products.

The Role
Reporting directly to the Managing Director, the Manufacturing Manager will be instrumental in establishing operational capability and taking the site from commissioning through to full-scale production.

Key responsibilities include:

• Overseeing equipment installation, line commissioning and operational ramp-up
• Leading the recruitment, training, and development of production teams
• Implementing production systems, SOPs, quality processes, and operational standards
• Driving site readiness to support the 2026 commercial launch
• Balancing strategic oversight with hands-on leadership in a start-up environment

This role is ideal for a practical, energetic, and resilient manufacturing leader who thrives in dynamic and evolving environments.

Requirements
The ideal candidate will bring:

• Proven leadership experience in food manufacturing, ideally with exposure to high-volume production
• Hands-on experience commissioning new lines and driving plant start-ups
• Demonstrated ability to build teams and operational structures from scratch
• Strong knowledge of food safety, compliance, and quality frameworks within Australian manufacturing
• High energy and resilience to thrive in a start-up environment
• Excellent people leadership, communication, and stakeholder management skills
• A commercial mindset with the ability to scale operations efficiently as volumes grow

Contact
Please call Eugene Lane-Mullins on 0435 914 485 or email [email protected] to discuss this role or any other positions in more detail.