Operations & Production Manager

Build the factory of the next five years, not just run the one we have today.

Uniq Stone is one of South Australia’s leading premium stone fabrication and installation businesses, with over 25 years in the industry. We’re entering an exciting growth phase — expanding into a second factory next door and increasing automation across our CNC-based production — and we’re looking for an Operations & Production Manager to design, optimise and lead our manufacturing system through that next chapter.

This is not a suit-and-tie role, and it’s not a caretaker role. You’ll be hands-on, on the floor, working alongside the team — but your real job is to build the next version of this business: the workflow, the systems, the accountability and the layout of a brand-new facility.

The opportunity

·         Own the full production flow from order placement through to dispatch — ensuring every department knows what’s next so there is no downtime.

·         Play a key role in designing the workflow, layout and operational systems of our new manufacturing facility to maximise efficiency and minimise handling.

·         Identify bottlenecks and drive continuous improvement initiatives that lift productivity, quality and throughput.

·         Develop, document and continually improve standard operating procedures across all production processes.

·         Build and monitor production KPIs — daily output, on-time completion, rework, machine utilisation, labour efficiency and waste — and hold the team accountable to them.

·         Plan labour, machinery and production capacity to meet increasing customer demand while maintaining quality.

·         Drive a quality-first culture with a focus on reducing rework, damage and production errors.

·         Maintain a safe, organised and highly visual manufacturing environment.

·         Provide day-to-day leadership on the floor — setting deadlines, following up, and creating accountability for every piece on every bench.

About you

·         A proven background in manufacturing operations with strong process and supply-chain understanding. Stone experience is helpful but not essential — candidates from cabinetry, joinery, aluminium, steel fabrication, precision engineering or advanced manufacturing are encouraged to apply.

·         Experience managing CNC-based manufacturing environments, production scheduling and workflow around automated equipment would be highly regarded.

·         Experience implementing Lean Manufacturing principles (5S, continuous improvement, waste reduction, visual management, standard work and workflow optimisation) would be highly regarded.

·         A natural problem-solver who asks: Why are we doing it this way? Why are pieces waiting? Can we remove this step? Can this be automated?

·         Data-driven — someone who says “show me the numbers” and uses production data to identify trends, solve problems and improve performance.

·         A confident, calm decision-maker who holds people accountable respectfully and earns respect rather than demanding it.

·         Comfortable with ERP systems, production scheduling / manufacturing software and Excel.

·         Emotional intelligence to lead in a close-knit, family-culture environment. Experience running your own business is an edge.

What we offer

·         A genuine leadership role reporting directly to the owners — with real authority to change how things are done.

·         The rare opportunity to help design a new factory from the ground up.

·         A stable, established business at the premium end of the market, investing heavily in automation and technology.

·         Competitive salary package commensurate with experience.

We are looking for someone who will treat the factory as if it were their own business — someone who takes pride in improving systems, developing people and delivering results. If that’s you, apply now with your CV and a short cover note on the best process improvement you’ve ever delivered.