Production Manager

About the Opportunity

Based in Cairns, the Production Manager is responsible for managing shipyard production activities to ensure vessels are delivered safely on time, within budget, and to the required quality standards. The role provides leadership to production teams, drives operational excellence, manages resources effectively, and ensures alignment between project requirements, workforce capability, and customer expectations

About Austal

Austal is Australia’s global shipbuilder, Defence prime contractor, and maritime technology partner of choice. We design, construct, and support defence and commercial vessels for the world’s leading operators with operations spanning Australia, the USA, Philippines, and Vietnam.

Our In-Service Support division provide routine servicing and preventative maintenance through to complex system overhauls; our maintenance solutions cover the full lifecycle of a vessel. We integrate original design knowledge with operational insights to ensure every intervention is cost-effective and aligned with customer requirements.

Backed by our extensive shipbuilding heritage and international supply chain, our global network ensures fleets remain mission-ready and performing at their highest capability throughout their operational life.

Learn more at austal.com

This is your opportunity to contribute to projects of national significance. The maritime is now.

What’s Involved

• Lead and develop production teams to achieve safe and efficient vessel delivery.
• Ensure production activities are planned, coordinated, and executed in line with project schedules.
• Drive a strong safety culture through visible leadership, risk management, and compliance with shipyard standards.
• Manage labour, subcontractors, materials, and equipment to optimise productivity.
• Monitor project progress, identify risks, and implement recovery actions where required.
• Work closely with Project Managers, Planning, Engineering, Supply Chain, and Quality teams to maintain a single source of truth for project status.
• Identify opportunities for continuous improvement, process optimisation, and improved production performance.
• Provide accurate reporting and escalation of production performance, constraints, and opportunities to senior leadership.

You’ll Need 

Essential

• Diploma in Project Management or demonstrated Production / Project management experience.
• Strong problem-solving and decision-making skills, with the ability to resolve operational issues in a fast-paced environment.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills, both written and verbal.
• Competent computer skills and experience using production, scheduling, ERP, or project management systems.
• Proven ability to lead, motivate, and develop multidisciplinary production teams to achieve safety, quality, cost, and schedule objectives.
• Demonstrated experience managing production operations within a shipyard, marine, heavy industry, manufacturing, or similar environment.
• Ability to interpret and manage project schedules, work packs, drawings, specifications, and technical documentation.
• Strong knowledge and commitment to workplace health and safety practices, including hazard identification, risk management, and safety leadership.
• Experience managing resources including labour, subcontractors, materials, equipment, and production constraints.
•  Eligibility for a Defence Security Clearance and a Defence Common Access Card (DCAC).

Desirable

• Trade qualification or technical background within marine, engineering, fabrication, or mechanical disciplines
• Experience with defence, commercial vessel, or complex marine projects.

Why Join Us?

• Competitive compensation and benefits package.
• Professional development and training opportunities.
• A supportive and dynamic work environment.
• Opportunities for career advancement within our growing organisation.

At Austal we are committed to providing a safe and inclusive work environment for all. We believe that achieving greater diversity will enhance our operations and as such we actively encourage Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islanders, people of all backgrounds, ages, sexual orientation, and those with Disability to apply. Veterans are also encouraged to apply.

Learn more at Careers at Austal Australia | Austal: Australia