Production Manager

Description:

About Lark Distillery:

In 1992, Lark became the first Australian distillery to produce single malt spirit in 154 years. For over 30 years, our team has built what is now one of the most famous and loved whisky distilleries in Australia. Forever curious, we continually look to the future, whilst remaining true to our past. It’s our ambitious nature and unwavering drive that continues to propel us forward, to create new and exceptional whiskies, and to celebrate all of life’s moments — big and small. Based in our new Brand home at Pontville, Tasmania, it is our ambition to become one of the world's most admired and enjoyed Single Malt whisky brands.

Job Summary:

We are looking for a highly skilled and experienced Production Manager, to join and lead our production team in Pontville, Tasmania. The successful candidate will have extensive experience managing and leading teams in areas including cooperage, distillery and warehousing as well as having an excellent understanding of work safe laws and local legislations and implementing WHS frameworks companywide.

Key Responsibilities:

Production Management:

• Oversee the day-to-day operations ensuring smooth operations by coordinating with different departments and addressing any issues promptly.
• Focus on maintaining the quality of maturing whisky, managing bond stores, and overseeing blending processes to a high standard to ensure consistency.
• Develop and implement efficient production schedules that meet production targets and quality standards, while also being flexible enough to adapt to any changes.
• Analyse production specifications and plant capacity data to determine manufacturing processes, tools and human resource requirements.
• Implement and manage production planning systems to enhance visibility and control over the production process.
• Regularly check production processes to ensure they meet the required standards for consistency, quality, and output.
• Management of raw materials and supplies to ensure proper inventory levels are maintained, avoiding shortages or overstocking and ensuring spends are inline with set budgets.
• Management & overseeing cask planning and cask repair schedules with a focus on refurbishing ex fortified, and ex bourbon casks for NMS filling and finishing ensuring stock and quality meets forecasted production levels
• Management of new make spirit & gin production through the distillery, continuously monitoring production volumes against the plan. Use real-time data to make adjustments as necessary to avoid overproduction or shortages.
• Implementation and management of preventative maintenance programs for departments to regularly inspect and service equipment to minimise downtime and extend lifespan of equipment.
• Continuous improvement of maintenance activities and reduction of breakdowns through failure effects and modes analysis
• Organise and manage contractor and stakeholder agreements and negotiations to deliver the most cost effective and efficient outcome for business continuity.
• Facilites management overseeing all aspects of building repairs, ground-keeping and maintenance for multiple buildings and departments across numerous sites.
• Compliance management for all aspects of production and storage ensuring the company is compliant in all aspects for safe production through auditing and management of action outcomes.
• Build departmental budgets and ensure delivery of NMS/Casks/Blends are carried out and completed to a very high standard within budget.
• Development and management of Key Performance Indicators for all departments aligning departmental goals with the company goals and ensuring targets are constantly met with focus on efficiency improvements and delivering cost savings.
• High Level project management for Capex and continuous improvement projects.

Team Leadership & Development:

• Lead, train, and mentor multiple teams, ensuring a culture of safety, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
• Conduct performance reviews, regular 1:1's and provide constructive feedback to team leaders.
• Carry out training and development plans and gap analysis across departments ensuring team and individual performances are meeting standards and to identify skill shortages.
• Develop engaging and informative training materials and presentations to train and keep the workforce skills current and up-to-date
• Management and maintain an up-to-date training matrix to track departmental and individual progress
• Engage and empower teams and individuals to enable growth and development and to become the best that they can be.

​ Quality Control & Assurance:

• Ensure all production meets or exceeds Lark's quality standards and industry regulations.
• Regularly review and update company quality management standards to align with industry regulations
• Conduct regular testing and analysis of products throughout the production process.
• Troubleshoot any production issues and implement corrective actions as necessary.
• Lead Root Cause Analysis for quality issues regarding new make spirit, gin, casks and matured liquid and manage outcomes and actions through to execution.

Process Optimisation:

• Continuously assess and improve processes, identifying opportunities for increased efficiency and cost savings.
• Implement best practices for production, safety, and environmental impact using researched industry best practice and innovation
• Analyse production data to forecast trends, optimise workflows, and ensure consistent output.

Regulatory Compliance:

• Manage all aspects of compliance efforts including implementation, upkeeping documentation, auditing, review and change management
• Ensure compliance with all relevant local, state, and federal regulations concerning distillation, safety, and environmental policies.
• Develop and maintain accurate records for compliance, inventory, and production processes.
• Stay up to date on changes in industry regulations and best practices.
• Strong compliance management skills of various production site areas

Health & Safety:

• Development, implementation and maintenance of companywide Safety Management System ensuring sites and departments meet Worksafe Health & Safety requirements
• Conduct risk assessments for all areas across the company ensuring hazards are controlled and managed and lead investigations if necessary.
• Management of high-risk operations and high-risk work conducted by contractors onsite including confined space entry, hot works in flammable areas and working at heights.
• Ensure equipment and machinery is safe for use and compliant with Health & Safety Regulations and maintained in line with Health and Safety requirements and manufacturers recommendations.
• Ensure all staff are trained on safety procedures and equipment use.
• Identification through knowledge and experience of high-risk operations across distilling, storage of flammable liquids, transportation of flammable liquids and coopering through Process Risk Assessment and Management of Change.

Collaboration & Cross-Departmental Coordination:

• Work collaboratively with other departments to achieve company goals.
• Managing to a budget covering multiple sites/departments
• Provide insights and feedback regarding production timelines, capabilities, and product offerings.

Required Qualifications & Experiences:

• Minimum of 7 years of experience across distilling production including distilling, coopering and warehousing, with at least 5 years in a management role.
• Qualified and experienced in HACCP and Food Safety Processes
• Qualified and experienced in Health and Safety with focus on high-risk environments
• Experience in leading high-profile projects for continuous improvements

Technical Expertise :

• Strong knowledge of distillation processes, equipment, and the manufacturing environment.
• Proven experience in Lean Manufacturing.
• Proven ability to lead, motivate, and develop high-performing teams.
• Experience with quality management systems, testing, and regulatory compliance.

Problem-Solving :

• Strong troubleshooting skills with a focus on continuous improvement.
• Proven experience in leading Root Cause Analysis.
• Flexibility in production but without compromising quality
• Experience for project planning and management and CI.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Qualified and experienced in conducting audits and assessing
• Qualified and experienced within a science-based subject
• Proficient use of Excel, MEX and Power Bi platforms

Behaviours:

• Strong values around people empowerment and development
• A strong people leader and motivator
• Accountability and ownership
• A mindset to challenge the status quo and to seek improvements where possible
• Strong communication, both within the team and department and with other departments
• Strong desire for continuous improvement.

If you meet all of the requirements listed above, please share your CV and include a cover letter introducing yourself. Only successful candidates will be contacted.