Operations Manager

Take ownership. Lead the team. Drive improvement.

Apache Coatings is looking for a highly organised, hands-on Operations Manager to take ownership of the day-to-day performance and continuous improvement of our powder coating operation.

We are looking for someone with serious initiative — a person who sees opportunities, solves problems and drives improvements without waiting to be told what to do.

This is not an office-only management role. You'll be close to the factory floor, leading the team, maintaining the production schedule, improving workflow and ensuring the operation performs every day.

The Role

You will take ownership of:

• Daily production planning, scheduling and resource allocation
• Leading, developing and holding the production team accountable
• Ensuring production flows efficiently and targets are achieved
• Maintaining a clean, organised and professional factory
• Quality control and reducing defects and rework
• Identifying bottlenecks, inefficiencies and opportunities for improvement
• Proactively developing and implementing solutions
• Continuously improving productivity, labour efficiency and workflow
• Identifying opportunities for better equipment, processes and automation
• WHS, operational standards and compliance
• Monitoring operational KPIs and reporting performance to management

The formal role covers the entire production operation from preparation and blasting through powder coating, quality, packing and dispatch.

About You

We are looking for someone who:

• Has exceptional initiative and follow-through
• Takes genuine ownership and accountability
• Naturally looks for ways to make an operation better
• Is highly organised and plans ahead
• Can lead people firmly, positively and respectfully
• Is comfortable making decisions and taking responsibility for outcomes
• Uses data and facts to identify and solve problems
• Doesn't accept recurring problems as simply "the way things are"
• Can turn an idea into a practical improvement plan
• Thrives in a fast-moving manufacturing environment

You'll ideally have 5+ years' experience in manufacturing, production or operational management, with proven people leadership and strong planning, scheduling and continuous-improvement capability. Powder coating experience is highly regarded but not essential.

What Success Looks Like

The schedule is current. The factory is organised. The team knows what's expected. Production flows. Quality improves. Rework reduces. Problems are solved.

Most importantly, you don't wait for senior management to identify what needs improving. You take ownership, bring forward solutions and drive the operation forward.

If you're the type of operations leader who sees what could be better and has the initiative to make it happen, we'd love to hear from you.

I think "serious initiative" + "commercial thinking" + "follow-through" are actually more important selection criteria for this hire than powder-coating knowledge. Your existing PD already calls for an initiative-taking person who works without supervision, problem-solves and offers suggestions and alternatives; I'd make those attributes central to how you interview candidates too.