Plant Manager - Lonsdale

Kerry is the world's leading taste and nutrition company for the food, beverage and pharmaceutical industries. Every day we partner with customers to create healthier, tastier and more sustainable products that are consumed by billions of people across the world. Our vision is to be our customers' most valued partner, creating a world of sustainable nutrition. A career with Kerry offers you an opportunity to shape the future of food while providing you opportunities to explore and grow in a truly global environment.

The Plant Manager will be responsible for Leading the Operations and Warehouse Site Teams to achieve quality, efficiency, cost and delivery targets which are consistent with business objectives with specific regard to plant utilization, process improvement, cost containment, labour and resource utilization. You will also facilitate continuous improvement to ensure practices are aligned with Kerry Group Continuous Improvemen practices and develop and lead teams to create and foster a team environment and culture which is consistent with the Site Objectives and the strategic direction of the Kerry Group.

• Provide clear leadership and direction with a strong “can-do” attitude
• Drive performance through collaboration across all site functions
• Build high-performing teams and support cross-functional alignment

• Develop and manage the manufacturing budget, ensuring cost control and efficiency
• Monitor variances and take corrective action to optimise performance
• Establish systems and processes to deliver cost-effective production within quality standards
• Plan and oversee production schedules to maximise efficiency and meet delivery targets
• Evaluate manufacturing operations and recommend improvements, including capital investments
• Drive team capability through succession planning and talent development

• Establish reporting systems to track:
  • Manufacturing costs
  • Production efficiency
  • Delivery performance
  • Inventory management
  • Customer service performance
  • Quality metrics
• Analyse performance data and provide actionable insights for improvement

• Ensure compliance with Kerry and third-party standards including:
  • GMP (Good Manufacturing Practices)
  • HACCP
  • Allergen control
  • Chemical and sanitation control
  • Product traceability and recall procedures
• Maintain strong quality performance reporting mechanisms
• Participate in and provide direction to the Site HACCP team

• Foster a positive work environment with strong industrial relations
• Ensure compliance with health, safety, environmental, and labour regulations
• Drive a culture aligned with Kerry’s values and business objectives
• Support employee performance management and development
• Ensure workforce capability aligns with current and future business needs.
• Ensure site operations comply with: Kerry Group policies and procedures, local regulatory and legal requirements and environmental and risk management standards.

• Minimum 10 years of relevant management experience, preferably in food manufacturing
• The Taste Plant Experience is a must-have.
• Proven experience in manufacturing operations within the food industry
• Strong communication skills with the ability to influence and engage stakeholders at all levels
• Demonstrated ability to coach, mentor, and develop teams
• Strong analytical and problem-solving capabilities
• Excellent project management and interpersonal skills
• Solid knowledge of GMP, HACCP, and Workplace Health & Safety (WHS) standard.
• Strong analytical thinking and project management skills
• Ability to build and maintain effective relationships with internal and external stakeholders
• Highly developed communication and interpersonal skills
• Leadership capability with a focus on team development and succession planning