General Manager Protected Vehicles

We’re inventing the future, right here, right now, at Thales. We design the critical security solutions of tomorrow by combining the curiosity to explore, the intelligence to question and the vision to create. Together we solve complicated problems by combining our experience in the market with our leading research and development capabilities.

The Protected Vehicles (PRV) business segment is founded on the development, production and support of Protected Vehicles. PRV is a business segment of the VTS domain in Australia and is the centre of excellence for the Protected Vehicles Product Line in Thales Group.

Protected Vehicles are designed and manufactured in Bendigo, Victoria with the principal support and integration facility located at Eagle Farm in Brisbane, Queensland (noting there are a number of satellite facilities in the network). Other functional activities occur in both Sydney and Melbourne offices.

Reporting to the Director, PRV this position is responsible for overseeing the Bendigo site activities in order to meet business objectives, including all aspects of site performance, and will ensure that objectives are attained in a cost-effective manner that is consistent with quality requirements. They will also delegate authority to key supervisors in production, manage all functions involved and direct and coordinate operations for the Bendigo site.

This position is also responsible for fulfilling the role of Deputy Director PRV in order to directly support the Director of PRV in: Business Operations, Project Performance, Governance, Strategy and Marketing, Sales, and contribution to Bid activity.

**As General Manager PRV (Bendigo) your key responsibilities are**:

- Leading the manufacturing operations site safety, and site culture to enable the Bendigo manufacturing operations to achieve the strategic objectives
- Ensuring safety systems and practices target zero harm and nurture a proactive and inclusive reporting culture
- Providing effective leadership of an industrial site (Bendigo), ensuring effective communication strategies are in place for increasing staff engagement and an inclusive culture
- Ensures effective customer management with regards to programme delivery management and supporting sales and growth of business
- Ensures the facility is equipped to deliver products/services to internal and external customers in line with the level and quality defined contractually and within profitability targets
- Ensures products and services delivered to customers meet their requirements and comply with applicable requirements, standards and regulations (health, environment, airworthiness etc) while maximising IFO.
- Ensures all aspects of manufacturing operations for the complex product lines and ensures they are delivered, in line with cost, quality and with improved customer service.
- Lead the cultural transformation of the site in alignment with Thales Strategic pillars and Thales Leadership Model
- Nurturing a Continuous Improvement culture and program within the business, to ensure effective issue management and governance of business processes, including LEAN

**About you**:

- Tertiary qualifications in business or engineering and/or relevant experience
- Experience in a leadership role of a medium sized business/business segment in a manufacturing/production environment
- Heightened sense of self awareness, and exceptional emotional intelligence
- An ability to nurture talent and identify career opportunities for staff within the business
- A solid background in the management and execution of complex projects, preferably within Defence
- An ability to engage with various and diverse customer groups, to achieve outcomes for the business.
- Governance skills in business operations including project and finance to manage risks and identify opportunities
- Understanding of Defence user community and associated operational environment.
- Knowledge and experience in quality management systems, quality assurance and control.

**Good to Know**

Wellbeing matters at Thales, and where possible we encourage flexible working.