AGRANA Fruit Australia is seeking an experienced and motivated Plant Manager to lead our manufacturing operations at Central Mangrove, NSW. This is an exciting opportunity for a hands‐on, commercially minded leader who is passionate about people, safety, operational excellence and continuous improvement.
Reporting directly to the Chief Operating Officer, you will play a pivotal role in driving site performance, developing a high-performing team and ensuring our operations consistently deliver on safety, quality, customer service and cost objectives.
About the Role
As Plant Manager, you will take ownership of the day‐to‐day management and performance of our Central Mangrove manufacturing facility. You will provide leadership across Production, Maintenance, Sustainability, Wastewater Treatment, Logistics and other site operational activities, ensuring the effective use of resources and the delivery of operational targets.
Working closely with the Chief Operating Officer and key functional teams, you will drive a culture of accountability, collaboration and continuous improvement.
Key Responsibilities
Lead and manage daily plant operations, ensuring safety, quality, service, productivity and cost targets are achieved.
Inspire, coach and develop site teams, building a positive, accountable and high‐performing workplace culture.
Champion workplace health and safety, food safety, quality and environmental compliance.
Drive operational efficiency, equipment reliability and continuous improvement initiatives.
Oversee production and maintenance activities to maximise plant performance and minimise downtime.
Manage operational costs, resources and site performance against agreed KPIs.
Provide oversight of sustainability, wastewater treatment and environmental activities.
Collaborate with Supply Chain, Engineering, Quality and other functions to support production planning and customer requirements.
Identify opportunities for process improvements, waste reduction and productivity gains.
Support capital investment projects, infrastructure improvements and long-term operational planning.
Proactively identify and manage operational risks to ensure business continuity.
About You
We are looking for a confident, approachable and results‐focused leader who can balance strategic thinking with a practical, hands‐on approach. You will bring:
Proven leadership experience in a Plant Manager, Operations Manager or similar senior manufacturing role.
Experience within food manufacturing, FMCG or a comparable manufacturing environment, highly regarded.
Strong understanding of production operations, maintenance, plant reliability and continuous improvement.
A demonstrated commitment to workplace safety, product quality and regulatory compliance.
Proven ability to lead, engage and develop teams while driving operational accountability.
Strong commercial awareness with experience managing budgets, costs and operational KPIs.
Excellent communication, stakeholder management and problem‐solving skills.
A proactive and collaborative leadership style, with the ability to drive change and deliver results.
Plant Manager employer: Agrana Fruit Australia
AGRANA Fruit Australia is an exceptional employer, offering a unique opportunity to contribute to a significant manufacturing site development project in Girgarre, Victoria. With a strong focus on collaboration and professional growth, employees benefit from working alongside experienced project professionals while gaining exposure to diverse project workstreams. The company fosters a proactive work culture that values effective communication and continuous improvement, making it an ideal environment for those seeking meaningful and rewarding employment.
