Production & Supply Manager

About the business

Blender is a product design and development consultancy. Since 2006, we have been helping our clients bring to market new and innovative products. Our collaborative approach, strategic design process and technical know-how deliver engineered, purpose-made products from strategy through to manufacturing.

Supporting products through their entire lifecycle has allowed Blender to implement growth strategies which have led to the creation of a purpose-built contract manufacturing operation. With this facility now forming part of BAU for Blender, we’re looking for an ambitious professional to fine-tune the operation and drive growth.

About the role

From vision to volume, you will be responsible for delivering our manufacturing services. This involves the procurement of parts, tools, and subcontracted services, as well as production planning, quality management, logistics, part servicing, and delivery in full to our clients.

You possess excellent interpersonal and relationship-building skills as you collaborate closely with our product design and engineering team, our domestic and international network of suppliers, industry associations, and our clients. You can manage casual staff and maintain an organised servicing space with appropriate quality systems for all to operate within.

This is not an entirely operational position, but one that suits an individual who seeks fulfilment through the growth of the role and the level of service it offers. This will require setting and achieving business objectives with a requirement to continuously improve multiple processes and actively promote our services. The role is split between supply chain and competency with mechanical parts overall, with a portion dedicated to process improvement, part servicing and administrative duties.

Benefits and perks

Culture eats strategy for breakfast. We remember this adage and we take great pride in our workplace culture and environment. In doing so, we form a closely knit team that leverages our collective experience in supporting one another on project goals. It’s not a single horse race, but an expectation that we have each other’s backs. This is the internal collaboration that drives our success.

Based in Albany, we offer an updated, open-plan office with fruit, tea and coffee facilities (steam wand prowess viewed favourably), sit-stand desks, multiple meeting and breakout rooms and flexible work hours.

We actively encourage and fund professional development and offer competitive salaries in line with your experience and ability.

Essential skills and experience

• A tertiary qualification in Supply Chain, Logistics, Product Development or Mechanical Engineering.
• A minimum of 4 years in a similar role or a role with a close working relationship to product development and/or New Product Introduction (NPI).
• Supply chain / Procurement experience (sourcing, RFQ, pricing, quality).
• Experience in planning and executing a production schedule.
• Exposure to a Lean Manufacturing environment and understanding of Lean Principles.
• Proficiency in MRP or ERP software and managing complex product BOMs.
• Experience in manipulating and reviewing part and assembly drawings.
• Knowledge across a wide range of manufacturing processes and technologies.
• Experience implementing and applying in-line quality controls and AQL.
• Experience managing product data and fundamental principles of PDM.
• Tech-savvy and proficient in standard office applications (Google Suite preferred).
• Current forklift licence or ability to sit for a licence.
• Exceptional communication skills and client-facing experience.
• Excellent time management and organisation skills.
• A desire to continually learn, contribute to our team, and create positive change.

Nonessential, but likely fit

• Proficiency in CAD software, preferably Solidworks.
• Experience working in a contract manufacturing environment.
• Experience working with electronic products.
• Knowledge and experience of injection moulding and plastics.
• Experience in logistics, freight forwarding and import/export.
• NZQA Unit Standard 29315 - HSR function.
• Experience applying DIFOT principles.
• Experience operating in ISO 9001.

PLEASE NOTE - Only short-listed applicants will be contacted.