Manufacturing Team Leader

Manufacturing Team Leader - Valves

Newly created Role with Immediate Full-Time Opportunity

• Step up and be the driving force – Take charge on the manufacturingfloor, guiding a skilled team to deliver high-quality results every day
• Grow your career while growing your team —take ownership, build skills, and be recognised for the results you deliver.
• Hands-on Leadership – Be the go-to person your crew relies on, rolling up your sleeves to solve problems and keep manufacturing running smoothly
• Shape the future of manufacturing – Drive efficiency, inspire your team, and take pride in producing products that make a real impact and of the highest quality.

Welcome to the world of Valves – where every turn brings new possibilities, and every flow brings new opportunities. Step inside, if your ready to dive into an exhilarating role and let the journey begin

About the company

Welcome to John Valves an industrial manufacturer with their precise engineering and unwavering reliability. Our valves stand as guardians of efficiency, safety and productivity and have been working in our customers facilities for over 127 years. Valves come in all shapes and sizes from the humble ball valve to the complex control valve, each designed to meet the unique demands of its environment.

John Valves is not just a company – we're a powerhouse in the Valve industry, the unsung heroes of countless industries, quietly ensuring the smooth flow of liquids, gases and beyond. From intricate mechanisms that regulate water in our homes to the colossal Valves that tame the power of industrial machinery, these devices are the backbone of modern civilisation.  We are revolutionising the way Valves and related supplies are provided across Australia. With a legacy of excellence, we're known as the go-to Valve manufacturers and suppliers, offering cutting-edge design services, unwavering engineering support, and unmatched selection advice.

We are excited to announce that we are expanding and are looking for motivated high achieving individuals to become part of our high achieving teams This is your chance to be part of something truly extraordinary, where every day brings new opportunities and challenges to revolutionise John Valves, streamline processes and empower progress.

Role Overview

The Manufacturing Team Leader ensures efficient and effective operation of manufacturing processes, focusing on production optimisation, quality control, and cost reduction. They work to improve production output, implement new technologies, and ensure compliance with safety and quality standards. This role may also involve troubleshooting equipment, training staff, and coordinating with other departments

About you:

We seek an experienced Manufacturing Team Leader to hands on lead a team of fitters & machinists in Ballarat VIC. You will oversee daily production, coordinate trade personnel, ensure quality and safety standards compliance, and liaise with management to drive performance. This hands-on leadership role combines operational oversight with technical involvement in the tools.

Your tasks will include:

• Provide supervision and leadership to workshop staff
• Ensuring adherence to safety regulations and company policies, implementing safety protocols, and potentially conducting risk assessments.
• Developing and implementing production plans, analysing production data, optimising processes to improve efficiency and reduce waste, and identifying areas for improvement.
• Maintaining and troubleshooting manufacturing equipment and potentially participating in the installation and commissioning of new equipment.
• Training production staff on equipment, processes, and safety procedures.
• Ensure all projects have John Valves engineering drawings & instructions before work commences
• Appoint & pro-actively manage key suppliers
• Ensure compliance with OHS/WHS standards, lead daily pre-starts/toolbox meetings and promote a safety-first culture
• Ensure that finished product meets expected customer quality requirements
• Ensure products whether manufactured or purchased, meet the specification and applicable standards requirements including testing regimes
• Ensure the machine shop is operated safely,
• Collate parts for assembly according to order from BOM
• Coordinate operations team leave, rostering & work hours
• Maintain workshop cleanliness, equipment readiness, and service schedules
• Oversee dispatch meetings aligned with current production schedule
• Test certificates are attached and sent to customer
• Overseeing the apprentices and their individual course requirements, ensuring that practical application is taught and experienced within John Valves prior to competency sign off with Federation University.
• Pick-up/deliver parts to local Ballarat suppliers
• Create & monitor purchase orders for workshop related consumables, such as nitrogen bottles, scrap bins, masks & PPE
• Allocation of storage for all work orders & tracking

What we're looking for?

Trade qualification in fitting & turning with at least 5 years of experience in a workshop/fabrication environment, with 1–2 years in a supervisory or leading-hand role. Strong leadership, communication, and problem-solving skills to effectively manage teams and production challenges.

High-level commitment to quality, safety, and organisational standards.

Want to work for an Australian manufacturer who is well known and well regarded? Then act NOW

To obtain a copy of the Position Description please visit our website at or email

Please submit your application via to begin your exciting career with John Valves.

All applications for this position will be treated in the strictest of confidence and viewed as received.

We are passionate about providing equal employment opportunities and embracing diversity to the benefit of all.