Design Manager

Introduction:

We are seeking an exceptional Design Manager to lead and unify our design functions across HMPS Propac's national operations. This is a pivotal opportunity for an experienced mechanical design professional to take ownership of our design strategy, elevate collaboration across sites, and drive innovation in a growing, market-leading company.

Reporting to the Chief Operating Officer, you will oversee design activities across our Adelaide (Projects and After-market), Sydney (Propac), and Melbourne (Engi-O, ADDE, and Wrappers) teams. You'll be the driving force behind a national design framework that ensures consistency, quality, and efficiency, while fostering a culture of innovation and technical excellence.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead and unify HMPS Propac's design functions nationally under a single strategic vision that delivers effective solutions for new projects and aftermarket customers.
• Develop and implement a national design framework to enhance collaboration, consistency, and quality across all business units.
• Mentor and manage the national design leadership team, fostering a culture of excellence, innovation, and accountability.
• Establish and govern design standards, templates, and review processes to ensure compliance with functional, customer, and regulatory requirements.
• Collaborate with internal stakeholders to align design outputs with operational needs and oversee project delivery for timeliness, quality, and cost-effectiveness.
• Manage the national design budget, resources, and tools to optimise performance across sites and support complex projects.
• Identify and resolve design bottlenecks or risks, maintaining smooth workflows across all project pipelines.
• Partner with the Design Innovation Manager to deliver innovation projects, embed new technologies, and drive cost-reduction initiatives.

What You'll Bring:

• Bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering (or related discipline).
• Proven leadership experience in design management, ideally within manufacturing or automation.
• Strong technical knowledge of mechanical design principles and tools.
• Excellent communication, stakeholder engagement, and team leadership skills.
• Demonstrated ability to deliver projects to specification, on time and on budget.
• Commitment to fostering innovation, standardisation, and continuous improvement.

At HMPS Propac, Australia's leading machine manufacturers, we are passionate about delivering innovative end-of-line packaging automation. Founded in 1980, we've grown into a market leader, providing cutting-edge automation solutions to food and beverage companies across Australia, New Zealand, and the globe. Our brands, HMPS, Propac Industrial, and Engi-O, continually strive for innovation, quality, and growth, all of which are directly attributed to our wonderful teams in Adelaide, Melbourne, Sydney, and Brisbane.

In the past 5 years, we've more than tripled in size. With an install base that includes over 2,000 high-end automation systems and 5,000+ entry-level machines, we're embedded deep in Australia's production infrastructure—and now we're scaling again.

With over 100 employees across Australia, we foster a culture of passion, commitment, collaboration, innovation, and quality. These core values help to deliver growth, not just to the company but to our employees.

Our commitment to employee development is reflected in supportive, employee-driven development plans that include leadership roundtables, job shadowing, and specialized external training. We also provide financial reimbursement and paid leave support for tertiary education to help our people reach their full potential.

If you're passionate about Australian machinery and driving industry automation, are committed to quality, and eager to collaborate on engineering the future, join us at HMPS Propac.