State Workforce Planning Manager

At Metcash, you're part of something bigger. We've got the heart of a small business with the strength and support of a big business.

When you join Metcash, your work makes a real difference to independent businesses and local communities, empowering you to:

• Grow your career with tailored development programs
• Thrive your way with flexible work options
• Make your mark in a high-performing, values-led team

At Metcash Food, we're the power behind local business, proudly supplying over 1600 independently owned stores in every corner of Australia and New Zealand. With a range of trusted independent brands like IGA, Foodland and Campbells/C-Store, our stores sit at the heart of their communities, providing locals with the products and homegrown produce they love most.

About the Opportunity

Are you passionate about workforce optimisation, strategic planning, and driving operational efficiencies? Do you have a knack for turning data into actionable workforce strategies?

At Metcash, we are transforming the way we plan, manage, and optimise our front-line workforce. As a State Workforce Planning Manager, you will play a key role in ensuring our Distribution Centres (DCs) operate efficiently, meet labour cost and productivity goals, and create a flexible, high-performing workforce.

This is an exciting opportunity to influence state-wide workforce strategies, implement cutting-edge planning solutions, and drive continuous improvement across our facilities.

In this Role

• Create costed workforce plans to optimise labour allocation, identify risks, and implement mitigation strategies in collaboration with stakeholders
• Contribute to Metcash's workforce attraction, retention, and scheduling strategy while optimising the mix of permanent, part-time, and casual labour to align with business needs
• Improve labour planning tools, scheduling systems, and digital self-service platforms while implementing standardised workforce planning guidelines and KPIs
• Work closely with the national workforce planning team and state operations to ensure standardisation, consistency, and best practice implementation across all Distribution Centres
• Lead testing, rollout, and adoption of new workforce planning initiatives, ensuring seamless integration into existing operations
• Utilise Power BI, EIM, and analytics tools to track workforce performance, ensuring data accuracy across planning and payroll systems for informed decision-making

You're Likely a Match If

• 5+ years of experience in workforce planning, logistics, or operations management in a high-volume, multi-distribution centre environment
• Proven expertise in workforce scheduling, forecasting, and optimisation tools
• Strong numerical and analytical skills - proficiency in MS Excel for modelling and forecasting
• Process-driven mindset – ability to design and improve workforce planning frameworks
• Excellent stakeholder management – skilled at collaborating with HR, operations, and finance teams
• Strong project and change management experience
• High data literacy, able to interpret complex datasets and turn them into practical workforce solutions

What's on offer

We're proud to offer a workplace that supports your well-being, growth, and belonging:

Extra Leave: Enjoy a 5th week of annual leave, 2 well-being days, plus 1 volunteer day annually

Career Growth: Endless learning and development opportunities

Parental Leave: 12 weeks of gender-neutral paid leave for primary carers

Inclusive Culture: Bronze Employer for LGBTQ Inclusion

• Neutral Pay Gap: Gender pay gap under 5% (WGEA 2024–2025)

Mental Health: Gold accreditation by Mental Health Australia

Flexibility: Flex Ready and Family Friendly Workplace accredited

About Us

Join us and be part of something bigger

Metcash is Australia's leading wholesale distribution company, with $19.5 billion in sales (FY25) and a proud spot in the ASX Top 125.

We believe in the power of independent, family-owned businesses to shape vibrant communities. Through our food, liquor, and hardware pillars, we help retailers become the 'Best Store in Their Town' by providing merchandising, operational and marketing support.

We're committed to diversity, inclusion, and sustainability — and we welcome applicants from all backgrounds, including First Nations. If you need support during the application process, just let us know. Your privacy and dignity are always respected.