Operations Lead

Bradken is equipping the resource sector to sustainably advance society.

As an Operations Lead based in Merlimau, you’ll be joining a global leader in the design, manufacture and supply of wear products and services for mining equipment. With a strong focus on safety, innovation and customer outcomes, you’ll be part of a team where operational excellence and continuous improvement drive meaningful impact.

Reporting to the Site Manager, this role is accountable for leading production and despatch operations to ensure products consistently meet customer requirements, specifications and delivery expectations.

The Operations Lead plays a critical role in delivering performance across Safety, Quality, Delivery and Cost, while driving continuous improvement in resource planning, process efficiency and operational execution. Success in this role comes from strong leadership on the ground, balancing people, performance and customer outcomes.

• Champion a proactive safety culture by leading from the front, ensuring safe behaviours are embedded in daily operations and that risks are identified, addressed and never ignored.
• Deliver customer-focused outcomes by aligning production and despatch activities with delivery commitments, quality standards and cost expectations.
• Drive operational excellence through disciplined execution of plans, effective resource utilisation and continuous improvement across processes and systems.
• Enable one team performance by working closely with maintenance, supply chain and commercial teams to resolve challenges and improve overall site performance.

• Lead and maintain a strong safety culture where safety is the first priority in all interactions and decisions
• Actively identify and address unsafe conditions, ensuring timely resolution and accountability
• Ensure full implementation of safety, sustainability and operational standards across the team
• Oversee incident reporting, investigation and closure of corrective actions
• Conduct regular safety interactions and audits to ensure systems are effective
• Lead safety and sustainability improvement initiatives across the site
• Ensure all production and despatch personnel are trained and compliant with required procedures

• Lead production and despatch teams to deliver against manufacturing, quality and customer expectations
• Ensure accurate order confirmation and alignment with agreed delivery timelines through close coordination with sales
• Manage working capital and raw material levels effectively
• Maintain strong cost discipline and adherence to cost management processes
• Partner with maintenance to support preventive maintenance planning and equipment reliability
• Report on operational performance across daily, weekly and monthly cycles

• Develop and execute medium-term operational plans, aligning resources and priorities
• Oversee daily production scheduling and adjust plans to meet changing operational needs
• Monitor performance across financial, operational, safety and compliance metrics
• Identify, scope and deliver improvement initiatives to enhance efficiency and performance
• Plan workforce requirements, including capability development, training and roster optimisation
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives that support long-term operational capability

• Lead, develop and engage production and dispatch teams to deliver sustained performance improvement
• Contribute as a key member of the Site Leadership Team, supporting site strategy, culture and performance outcomes
• Build a high-performance culture focused on safety, accountability and continuous improvement
• Develop team capability through coaching, feedback and structured development plans
• Translate business strategy into clear operational priorities and expectations
• Drive performance management, goal setting and accountability across the team
• Support talent identification, development and succession planning across the site
• Foster a collaborative and inclusive environment that reflects Bradken’s “One Team” approach

You bring strong operational leadership experience within heavy industry, with a hands-on approach and a clear focus on safety, performance and team development.

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering (Mechanical, Electrical, Metallurgical, Materials, Manufacturing or Industrial)
• Postgraduate qualification (MBA or MSc) is advantageous
• Certifications in Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, ISO standards or Safety (e.g. DOSH/SHO) are beneficial
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, Project)

• Proven experience leading operations in heavy industry (steel or similar manufacturing environment preferred)
• Strong track record managing large, diverse and multi-skilled teams
• Strong shopfloor presence with a hands-on leadership approach
• Demonstrated ability to build team capability and improve performance from varying baseline levels
• Experience working with quality and environmental standards (e.g. ISO9001, ISO14001) and audits

• Strong technical and problem-solving foundation
• Commercial awareness with experience managing cost and operational performance
• Ability to lead change, drive improvement and influence across functions
• Confident communicator with strong stakeholder management capability

If you’re ready to step into a role where strategy meets execution and leadership drives results, we’d love to hear from you.

Be challenged. Be inspired. Be heard. Apply now and lead a team that builds with pride, safety, and purpose.