About Yummy Karma
Yummy Karma is a fast-growing Australian manufacturer of premium chilled and frozen ready meals, snacks, and airline meal solutions. Operating from a modern SQF-certified facility in Western Sydney, we supply major retailers, airlines, and foodservice operators across Australia and abroad. Learn more at www.yummykarma.com.
Role Summary
We are seeking a hands-on, mechanically sound Production & Packing Manager to lead daily operations across both departments. This role is responsible for planning, quality, team leadership, mechanical troubleshooting, and labour cost control. You’ll play a key role in building a strong and reliable production workforce and maintaining high-performance standards across the factory.
Key Responsibilities
Production Operations
- Create and execute detailed daily/weekly production plans to meet forecast and delivery commitments.
- Manage staff rosters and shift coverage, optimising labour to reduce overtime and idle time.
- Ensure 100% compliance with QA and traceability records for every batch.
- Monitor and reduce wastage and variances, identifying root causes and implementing corrective actions.
- Drive on-time completion of all production runs; manage priorities and escalate roadblocks.
- Supervise production processes to ensure alignment with recipes, SOPs and critical control points.
Packing Operations
- Lead packing teams to meet or exceed daily line output targets with minimal rework.
- Drive labour productivity and keep packing labour cost per unit within or below budget.
- Ensure GMP and hygiene standards are upheld across all shifts.
- Perform basic mechanical troubleshooting on machines (e.g., tray sealers, conveyors, labelers).
- Coordinate minor preventive maintenance and escalate issues requiring technician support.
People & Recruitment
- Lead and inspire a high-performing team across both production and packing areas.
- Support and manage recruitment of factory staff (permanent and casual), including:
- Workforce planning in coordination with HR.
- Screening, interviewing, and selecting suitable candidates.
- Overseeing onboarding and hands-on training of new hires.
- Monitor staff performance, attendance, and conduct, addressing issues proactively.
- Foster a strong workplace culture based on respect, accountability, and safety.
- Ensure all team members are trained and assessed on SOPs and compliance requirements.
Technical and Continuous Improvement
- Identify and implement improvements in process flow, labour efficiency, and changeovers.
- Work closely with maintenance and QA to troubleshoot and resolve equipment or quality issues.
- Track key performance metrics (output, downtime, waste, labour/hr) and report weekly.
- Support lean manufacturing and cost-saving initiatives across departments.
What You Bring
- 3–5+ years in a production or packing leadership role within food manufacturing
- Experience as as a qualified Chef is a plus, but not essential
- A strong, motivational leadership style – with the ability to recruit, train, and lead diverse teams.
- Solid understanding of mechanical systems, with a hands-on approach to minor fault-finding.
- Knowledge of GMP, HACCP, SQF, and food safety auditing standards.
- Experience managing rosters, shift plans, and KPI dashboards.
- Strong problem-solving, communication and team development skills
What We Offer
- A leadership role with scope to shape the production culture and team.
- Strong internal support and room for growth in growing business.
- A competitive salary is on offer plus a 10% performance bonus based on the achievement of KPIs
Please include a Cover Letter and CV with your application.
Thank you
Job Types: Full-time, Permanent
Pay: $90,000.00 – $120,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- Free food
- Visa sponsorship
Work Location: In person
