Production Manager

Position Description:
Production Manager (Textile Manufacturing)

Location:
Altona North, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

Employment Type:
Full-time

Reports to:
Head of Operational Excellence

Start Date:
Immediate (target September 2025)

About Planet Protector Group

Planet Protector Group is an Australian manufacturer accelerating Australia's transition within the circular economy by upcycling waste streams into high-value non-woven and felted products.

Our purpose-built textile facility is the only one of its kind in the Southern Hemisphere and is being used to transform waste materials such as denim, wool, polyester, hemp, and jute into products used across a wide range of industries including building insulation, acoustic insulation, bedding, automotive, and packaging.

Planet Protector has recently commissioned this 'state-of-the-art' advanced fibre processing facility in Altona North, Melbourne, positioning us as a leader and cornerstone of circular textile manufacturing in Australia.

Summary

The Production Manager is responsible for overseeing day-to-day operations at our advanced textile manufacturing facility in Altona North. The role ensures that production runs safely, efficiently, and in alignment with quality and sustainability standards. The Production Manager will lead a multi-shift team, manage production schedules, troubleshoot equipment issues, and drive continuous improvement. This position also involves close collaboration with the Quality team to ensure compliance and support ongoing process improvements. The ideal candidate is a hands-on, solutions-oriented leader with extensive textile manufacturing experience and a strong commitment to safety and operational excellence.

Responsibilities

• Production Planning & Operational Excellence
  – Develop and manage daily/weekly production schedules; supervise manufacturing equipment; monitor performance and implement improvements to reduce downtime and increase yield; lead shift handovers; oversee standardised operating procedures; implement preventative maintenance programs, operator efficiency initiatives, housekeeping standards, and a robust 5S program.
• Safety, Quality & Sustainability
  – Enforce a strong safety-first culture, including PPE and hygiene protocols; ensure compliance with WHS, ISO 45001, and company quality/environmental policies; lead Job Safety Analyses (JSAs), risk assessments, and contractor inductions; identify and mitigate workplace hazards; maintain strict adherence to quality standards; and drive sustainability initiatives to reduce waste, energy usage, and emissions.
• Team Leadership & Development
  – Lead and manage production operators and shift supervisors across a rotating 3-shift roster; conduct toolbox talks, performance reviews, and training; foster an inclusive, collaborative team culture; support recruitment, succession planning, and career development; coach teams in lean manufacturing, root cause analysis, and GMP principles; and oversee contractors to ensure safe, compliant work.
• Process Control, Reporting & Metrics
  – Maintain accurate production records (batch logs, yield reports, downtime logs, waste data); implement and analyse KPIs; prepare weekly/monthly performance reports; and lead root cause analysis with corrective action plans for production or quality issues.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration
  – Work closely with Supply Chain, Warehouse, and Planning teams on material flow and stock levels; liaise with the Quality Manager and team on inspections, audits, and compliance; collaborate on process improvements; and partner with R&D/Product Development on trials, new fibre blends, and product optimisation projects.
• Financial Oversight & Cost Control
  – Assist in preparing and managing the production budget; lead cost-saving, efficiency, and waste-reduction initiatives; monitor labour, material, and utility usage; and recommend operational improvements that enhance productivity and profitability.

Selection Criteria- Essential

• Experience: Minimum 5 years' experience in a production leadership role within textile or nonwoven manufacturing
• Technical Knowledge: Strong technical understanding of nonwoven production processes (e.g. needle-punching, thermal bonding) and related machinery
• Leadership: Demonstrated ability to lead and develop high-performing teams in a fast-paced manufacturing environment
• Safety & Quality: Solid knowledge of workplace health and safety regulations (WHS) and standards (e.g. ISO 45001), along with familiarity with quality management systems and lean manufacturing principles
• Problem-Solving: Proven troubleshooting skills and hands-on experience with equipment maintenance and process improvement
• Qualifications: Relevant qualifications in manufacturing, engineering, operations or a related discipline (trade certification or tertiary degree)
• Communication: Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with an outstanding command of the English language
• Computer Skills: High level of computer literacy, including proficiency with MS Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook) and the ability to learn ERP/production software quickly

Desirable

• A bachelor's degree in chemical, process, industrial, or mechanical engineering (in addition to the above essential qualifications)
• Familiarity with ERP systems, inventory control processes, and digital production planning tools
• Exposure to cross-functional projects involving R&D, product development, and/or supply chain optimization in a manufacturing context