Industrial Manager

At Thales, we know technology has the ability to make our world more secure, sustainable, and inclusive – and that it's all driven by human intelligence.

Because it takes human intelligence to build and power the systems and solutions that people depend on every day. So we stay curious and make space for diverse points of view. We share what we know and we challenge what's possible.

From manufacturing and engineering to cybersecurity and space, we're driving progress in some of the world's most important industries – and working together to build a future we can all trust.

Our Australian Munitions teams in Benalla and Mulwala produce propellants, explosives and munitions for defence and commercial uses. With ongoing investment into research and development, we produce some of the world's most high-performing guided weapons and explosive ordnance systems. And being at the forefront of a rapidly evolving industry gives our teams constant opportunities to build on their technical expertise.

In this exciting role, you will play a pivotal role in driving operational success at our Mulwala site, a leading facility specialising in the production of high-quality propellants and explosives.

Reporting to the Industrial Director, you will oversee the site's entire operational ecosystem, ensuring customer satisfaction and organisational performance.

Working at our Mulwala - Pangerang land, your role purpose is to –

• Implement the industrial strategy, managing resources for short-, medium-, and long-term goals.
• Oversee production of propellants, explosives, and ammunition, ensuring safety, efficiency, and compliance, with support from Process Engineering, Supply Chain, and Operations teams.
• Ensure industrial assets meet current and future needs.
• Propose appropriate CAPEX through the Industrial Process Engineering team.
• Develop and implement a Business Continuity Management (BCM) strategy to ensure operational resilience during disruptions.
• Champion HSE compliance, minimize risks, and drive sustainability initiatives.
• Prioritise worker safety and environmental stewardship.

Your Experience
On day one in this role, we'll expect you to bring the following skills, experience and behaviours:

• Must have senior leadership experience within industrial, manufacturing, or defence sectors, with a track record of successfully managing multidisciplinary teams
• Demonstrated ability to inspire, mentor, and develop high-performing teams, fostering a culture of collaboration, accountability, and continuous improvement
• Strong interpersonal skills to build relationships with internal teams (e.g., Process Engineering, Supply Chain, Operations) and external stakeholders, ensuring alignment with organisational goals
• Tertiary qualification in business, engineering, project management, or related field; ability to obtain IPMA Certification
• Experience leading teams through operational changes, implementing strategies to drive efficiency, safety, and innovation in high-stakes environments
• Ideally familiarity with propellants, explosives, or munitions manufacturing, with an understanding of the technical and safety demands of the defence sector

As part of our commitment, we offer:

• Competitive remuneration + Super + Bonus + Medical Insurance
• ThalesFlex – Hybrid work environment
• Recognised leader in reservist employee support
• Veterans Leave
• Fitness Passport Discount – Access to a network of Gyms across AUS
• Employee discounts with a number of affiliates (Travel, Car hire, Tech, Medical Insurance)
• Modernised Paid Parental Leave
• Novated Lease options
• Family support through our partnership with Parents at Work
• Personal & professional training development opportunities
• Sonder – Wellbeing & Support Partner
• Access to a network of the best people (A Nobel Prize winner on our staff list)
• And much more

Good to Know
Prior to being offered employment, you will need to complete pre-employment police and (role dependent) medical checks.

A Defence security clearance is required for this role; applicants must be Australian citizens and eligible to obtain and maintain an appropriate clearance.
Additional information with regards to clearances is available from the Australian Government Security Vetting Agency website In some cases, individuals who hold a current clearance from a foreign government may be eligible to have this clearance recognised by the Australian Government and be eligible for this role.

The Australian Defence Trade Controls Act (DTCA) is applicable and as such, your nationality may be a factor in determining your suitability for this role.

The U.S. International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) and/or Export Administration Regulations (EAR) are applicable and as such, your nationality may be a factor in determining your suitability for this role.

It's easy to dismiss the perfect opportunity if you don't see yourself as the perfect fit. If this role feels right – no matter your background or personal circumstances – please introduce yourself or join our community. We're committed to supporting a diverse workplace, and that starts here.

We're proud to be endorsed by WORK180 as an Employer for All Women, but we know there's always more we can do. We'll continue to foster industry partnerships, employee resource groups (ERGs) and development opportunities to make Thales a genuinely equitable employer, for everyone.

Read more about our WORK180 endorsement.