Operations Manager - Novar Gardens

Company: BlueScope

Location: Novar Gardens, South Australia, Australia

Work arrangement: On-site

Employment type: Full-time

Experience: 5-10 years

Education: bachelor degree

Posted: 2026-10-29

Responsibilities

You will lead manufacturing operations at the Novar Gardens site, overseeing production, transport, maintenance, and operations support teams. The role involves driving safety performance, managing operational budgets, and implementing process improvements to enhance productivity and customer delivery.

Requirements

Candidates must have a minimum of 5 years of experience in operations management within a complex manufacturing or processing environment. A tertiary qualification in Operations Management, Business, Engineering, or Supply Chain is required.

Skills

  • Operations management
  • Manufacturing
  • Safety leadership
  • Team development
  • Production planning
  • Budget management
  • Stakeholder engagement
  • Process improvement
  • Capital investment
  • Supply chain
  • Performance data analysis
  • Problem solving
  • Communication
  • Leadership
  • Accountability

Benefits

  • Profit share plan
  • Paid parental leave
  • Superannuation
  • Employee Assistance Program
  • Fitness Passport
  • Online courses
  • Mentoring
  • Corporate discounts
  • Novated leasing

About this role

Job Description
At BlueScope, we support you to build your expertise within a safe and positive team environment, always driven by Our Purpose – to create and inspire smart solutions in steel, to strengthen our communities for the future. Working with us is an opportunity to build skills and expertise in a culture of connection and care, where every action you take matters, making innovative products for our customers and communities.
The Opportunity
BlueScope Building Components is looking for a high performing Operations Manager to lead our manufacturing operations at Novar Gardens, SA. BlueScope Building Components, a division of BlueScope in Australia, manufactures and markets steel building products, solutions and services through its four leading brands: Lysaght, Fielders, Ranbuild and Kiteleys.
Our Novar Gardens site is a fast-paced manufacturing operation, running 24 hours a day, five days a week across three shifts. The site produces a diverse range of steel building products, supporting customers with varying production and delivery requirements.
Reporting to the State Manager as Operations Manager, you'll lead four direct reports across production, transport, maintenance and operations support, with overall responsibility for approximately 130 employees on site. You'll oversee day-to-day operations while shaping longer-term improvements in safety, productivity, performance and workplace culture.
You'll be joining at an exciting time, with opportunities to strengthen the site's capabilities, contribute to significant capital investment projects and make a lasting impact on how the operation runs.
While the role operates during standard business hours, you'll also provide occasional after-hours support for escalated operational or safety matters, including attending site when required.
What Will You Do?
Working closely with leadership team and colleagues across Sales, Customer Service, Safety, Human Resources, Finance and national operations, you will:
lead safety performance: responsible for safe work practices, strengthening accountability and providing leadership for on site safety requirements and incident escalation
foster a high-performing and inclusive team: develop and support your team, strengthen team capability and create a culture of collaboration, inclusion and clear accountability
manage operational delivery across competing demands: align people, equipment and resources across production with over 48 production lines, transport with an external provider operating over 30 fleet departing site daily and maintenance across the 24-hour operation to achieve quality, productivity and customer delivery outcomes
drive business performance: oversee operational costs, maintenance, productivity and delivery in full, on time (DIFOT) performance, including responsibility for operational and capital expenditure budgets
strengthen processes and ways of working: identify and implement improvements to operational efficiency, production planning and responsiveness to internal and external customers
support capital investment projects: develop business cases, oversee project planning and implementation of equipment and site improvements to build future operational capability
More About You
You're an experienced operations leader who enjoys solving problems, working with people and improving how things are done. You're comfortable being visible on the production floor, making informed decisions in a fast-moving environment and empowering others to succeed.
You will bring:
a minimum of 5 years’ experience in operations management, ideally within manufacturing, processing or a similarly complex operational environment
a tertiary qualification in Operations Management, Business, Engineering, Supply Chain or a related discipline
experience leading safety and production performance across operational teams
demonstrated ability to coach and develop teams, build effective working relationships and positively influence team culture
the ability to manage competing priorities across multiple teams, production lines or shifts
strong communication and stakeholder engagement skills across different levels of an organisation
experience building and improving operational processes and using performance data to identify risks, solve problems and support decision-making
Why Join Us
Remuneration and financials – competitive remuneration including 14% superannuation, eligibility for our profit share plan (annual bonus) and annual salary review process
Flexibility and support – employee benefits including paid parental leave, and superannuation paid up to 40 weeks of unpaid parental leave
Health & wellbeing support – comprehensive wellbeing program including Employee Assistance Program (EAP), Fitness Passport, and preventative health initiatives
Learning, growth & career pathways – access to 13,000+ online courses, leadership programs, mentoring, career mobility and progression, and financial support for further education
Everyday perks & corporate discounts – employee discounts across travel, technology, health insurance and more, plus novated leasing options
Inclusive, purpose-led culture – diverse and inclusive workplace with strong community connection, recognition programs, and opportunities to contribute to meaningful work
Purpose-driven sustainability – be part of a business committed to meaningful sustainability outcomes, including action on climate and a clear pathway to achieving net zero emissions by 2050
It’s an exciting time as we transform our business and drive sustainable growth, creating value for our customers and communities. Together, we're creating strength for the future.

About BlueScope

Building Materials · 10,001+ employees · headquartered in Melbourne, Victoria

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