Grain Processing Area Lead

Come and work for an Australian owned and operated business that's been around for 170 years We are looking for a Grain Processing Area Lead to work with our team located in Altona. HSK Ward Group is an Australian-owned and operated company who has been trusted for six generations As a consumer, you will know us as McKenzie’s. McKenzie’s provides essential ingredients to create precious food memories to savor with family and friends. You’ll find our ingredients in major and independent retailers. In the Foodservice and Industrial environments, you may know us as FTA Food Solutions. FTA Food Solutions is a major supply‑chain solutions‑based importer and distributor of food products for the Australian, New Zealand and export markets. About the role Working 7:00am to 5:00pm Monday to Thursday with the ability to work Fridays as required, the Grain Processing Area Lead will be responsible for the Grain Processing Area Team and Production area, including planning and scheduling, improvements and standardising processes. Key responsibilities Lead, develop and mentor the Production team , actively supporting their work needs and career goals. Provide clear, constructive, and respectful feedback, and implement practical training and development plans where appropriate. Maintain a safe working environment by identifying, minimising, and managing potential risks and hazards for all staff. Assist in developing Operations KPIs , with a strong focus on Production metrics including machine utilisation, volume, quality, labour efficiency, absenteeism, hours worked without LTI, and standard vs. actual cost performance. Plan labour and material requirements for production runs in collaboration with Manufacturing, Engineering and Business Managers, continuously identifying opportunities to enhance operational performance. Engage the Production team in Continuous Improvement (CI) initiatives , encouraging joint problem‑solving and implementing solutions that drive KPI improvement. Create and maintain accurate production schedules , using inputs from Supply Planning, Procurement and Sales to ensure timely completion of orders. Champion Quality and HACCP compliance , fostering a strong quality‑focused culture across the team. Collaborate effectively with cross‑functional stakeholders , including Suppliers, Managers, Purchasing, Shipping, Quality, WHS and other departments involved in the manufacturing process. Analyse production data and forecast demand to identify opportunities for process optimisation and efficiency gains. Oversee inventory management , including transfers, stocktakes, stock‑on‑hand (SOH), aged inventory, product on hold (POH), rework and related activities. Manage packaging and consumables , including procurement requests, stock level monitoring and regular stocktakes for the Grain Processing area. Identify and implement improvement opportunities using CI tools and methodologies. Standardise and formalise processes to support ongoing continuous improvement and operational consistency. About you We’re looking for an experienced People and Process Leader with a desire to make positive change. Have proven experience leading small teams and fostering a positive, high‑performance culture. Bring strong experience in Production Planning and Scheduling within a manufacturing environment. Be proficient in – or able to quickly learn – inventory, planning and scheduling systems/tools . Demonstrate knowledge of continuous improvement and ability to implement change. Show excellent attention to detail, with the capability to manage and prioritise multiple operational requirements simultaneously. Be able to work independently, showing strong initiative and a reliable “completer–finisher” mindset. Possess a solid understanding of health & safety , food hygiene , and security standards within food manufacturing or similar operational environments. Be flexible and willing to work across day and night shifts as operational needs require. Experience in the Agricultural industry would be advantageous, however not essential if you have the willingness and ability to learn about the industry. Have a mechanical aptitude —highly advantageous but not essential. What HSK Ward Group offers Australian owned and operated business. Flexible and family friendly environment. Opportunity to work with experienced Maintenance professionals. Friendly team that works hard and support one another. Employee benefits and health and wellbeing programs. At HSK Ward it is our mission to be an industry leader in sustainability. We are proudly certified as a carbon neutral organisation under the Climate Active standard and work actively to reduce the carbon footprints of our products. We are committed to ethical sourcing and ensure the integrity of our products through membership to numerous external organisations. We are also dedicated to reducing our waste and embrace circular economy initiatives, where we achieve a 90% recycling rate through innovative waste processing solutions. To apply To apply for this position, please send your resume in word format by clicking apply. Only applications from Australian & New Zealand citizens, permanent residents and those holding valid visas allowing them to work in Australia will be considered. Be careful - Don’t provide your bank or credit card details when applying for jobs. Don't transfer any money or complete suspicious online surveys. 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