Manufacturing Manager

Castlemaine-based site leadership role
- Oversee production, quality & efficiency performance
- Drive a safety-first, continuous improvement culture

**About Us**
GWF is one of the largest food manufacturers in Australia and New Zealand, employing around 6,000 people across 60 sites. GWF’s product range is diverse and includes leading brands of breads, baked goods, smallgoods, flour, milled products, and animal feed. GWF’s business units include Tip Top, DON, MAURI, and Jasol.
DON’s heritage goes back to the late 1800s. Since the beginning, we have been passionate about crafting great-tasting meat products that Australians love. We produce ham, bacon, salami, smallgoods, and fresh pork.
We take great pride in our skills, techniques, and brands, which have evolved over more than a century. We’ve grown from a small family business to become one of Australia’s largest food manufacturers, now part of the GWF group.
DON is also a leading Australian employer with offices and facilities in metropolitan and regional locations across the country. We take pride in being a responsible employer and a great place to work. We offer a safe and supportive environment where everyone can achieve their full potential.
**About the Role**
The **Manufacturing Manager** plays a key leadership role at our **Castlemaine site**, responsible for leading day-to-day operations and supporting the delivery of production, safety, quality, and efficiency targets.
You’ll lead multiple production streams, coach and develop Stream Managers, and drive engagement across the manufacturing team. You’ll ensure continuous improvement in performance and capability, aligning your team to DON’s strong safety and food quality culture.
This is a visible and hands-on leadership role for a manufacturing professional who thrives on operational excellence and people leadership within a large and complex food manufacturing site.
**Responsibilities**
- Lead daily manufacturing operations across assigned production streams.
- Drive a culture of safety, engagement, and accountability through visible leadership.
- Ensure compliance with food safety, quality, and regulatory standards.
- Manage budgets and performance metrics, focusing on labour, waste, and yield improvements.
- Lead continuous improvement and process optimisation initiatives.
- Coach, mentor, and develop direct reports to build future capability.
- Partner cross-functionally with maintenance, quality, logistics, and planning teams to deliver targets.
- Support strategic projects and site transformation activities.

**Why Join Us**
Our Purpose is to craft food that brings out ‘the good’.
When you work at DON, not only will you be part of a community crafting iconic products that people love, you will also enjoy a safe and supportive environment where you can be your authentic self, advance in your career if you choose to, be recognised and rewarded for your contributions, and make a positive difference in the community.
We also work hard to ensure the programs and benefits we offer are competitive and reflect the needs and preferences of our people. They include (among others):

- Flexible work arrangements
- Community partnerships and initiatives, including 2 volunteer days per year
- Options to purchase additional leave
- Discounted products
- Training and development programs
- Global career opportunities
- Various recognition programs and rewards, including an end-of-year celebration
- Health and wellness initiatives
- Study Assistance

**About You**
You are a proven manufacturing leader with:

- Extensive experience leading production operations in food or FMCG manufacturing.
- Strong safety, quality, and operational performance mindset.
- Excellent communication and people leadership skills.
- Proven ability to deliver results through teams in a fast-paced environment.
- Experience with LEAN manufacturing, Six Sigma or CI principles.
- Sound financial acumen, with experience managing budgets and KPIs.
- Engineering, Manufacturing or related tertiary qualification (preferred).

**Applications**
Applicants for this position may be required to undertake pre-employment screening tests including a pre-employment medical, including drug and alcohol tests, and a security/background check, which may also include a criminal record check. Proof of eligibility to work is required for all successful applicants. #LI-PR1