Production Manager

Production Manager

Join a leading Australasian packaging manufacturer and help shape the future of premium flexible packaging.

Location: Southern Sydney
Role Type: Full‑time
Department: Factory
Reports To: Commercial Manager

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About Us

The Gravure Packaging Group is an established, family‑owned flexible packaging converter with over 40 years' experience supplying major New Zealand and Australian food and FMCG brands. With sites across both countries, we are committed to delivering excellence in packaging through innovation, quality and outstanding customer service.

We're proud of our strong values, supportive culture, and our reputation for producing industry‑leading flexible packaging solutions.

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The Opportunity

We're seeking a highly skilled and operationally focused Production Manager to lead our manufacturing operations at our South Sydney site. This is a pivotal leadership role, responsible for overseeing all production activities across printing, converting, finishing, and quality assurance.

You'll be replacing our retiring Production Manager to lead a team of experienced tradespeople, drive efficiency across the operation, and ensure the delivery of high‑quality packaging that meets stringent food safety, pharmaceutical, and FMCG standards.

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Key Responsibilities

• Lead and coordinate day‑to‑day production across printing, laminating, slitting, perforating‑cutting, and finishing.
• Manage job scheduling, workflow optimisation, machine loading, and resource allocation.
• Ensure all jobs meet technical specifications, colour profiles, dielines, and compliance requirements.
• Provide leadership, coaching, and development to a team of 16 operators and QC staff.
• Oversee quality assurance processes, ensuring compliance with GMP, HACCP, ISO 9001 / ISO 22000 and food‑contact safety standards.
• Manage preventative maintenance programs for all production equipment.
• Drive health, safety, and environmental compliance, fostering a zero‑harm culture.
• Monitor and optimise inventory for substrates, inks, dies, and consumables.
• Lead continuous improvement initiatives (Lean, 5S, Kaizen, SMED).
• Analyse performance data including waste %, downtime, OEE and throughput.

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What You Bring

Technical Expertise

• Strong experience in packaging or print manufacturing (flexo and/or gravure highly beneficial).
• Minimum of 3-5 years total manufacturing experience is required.
• Knowledge of converting processes (lamination, slitting, die‑cutting, coating, embossing).
• Understanding of colour management, print standards (G7, ISO 12647), and packaging compliance.
• Competency in MIS/ERP production systems.

Leadership & Soft Skills

• Proven experience leading teams in a fast‑paced production environment.
• Excellent communication and decision‑making abilities.
• Strong problem‑solving and analytical capability.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and tight deadlines.
• A continuous improvement mindset with a focus on operational excellence.

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Performance Measures

Success in this role will be measured through:

• On‑time delivery performance
• Waste reduction
• OEE and machine uptime
• Changeover efficiency
• Quality defect rates
• Compliance audit results
• Safety performance

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Experience & Qualifications

• 2–3 years in a supervisory or management role (manufacturing/printing preferred)
• Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Management or a related field and/or trade qualification in printing, packaging or manufacturing (advantageous)
• Experience in food or pharmaceutical packaging compliance (highly desirable)
• Australian work rights are required for this position.

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Why Join Us?

• Competitive remuneration package
• Supportive, family‑oriented culture
• Opportunity to lead a skilled and passionate production team
• Play a key role in shaping the future of a respected industry leader
• Immediate Start

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Apply now or contact us for a confidential discussion [email protected]