15th October, 2026
About the Company
Our client is one of Australia’s oldest and most respected road transport companies. Privately owned and headquartered in Brisbane with operations across several states, the business has a clear Board mandate to lift manufacturing performance and modernise how work gets done.
About the Role
This newly created Head of Manufacturing Excellence is a genuine executive seat with the mandate to make your mark. Sitting on the Executive Leadership Team and reporting to a Board Sub-Committee, you’ll lead Manufacturing and Engineering excellence, pinpoint the biggest opportunities, design the plan and drive it through, embedding Lean practice and real accountability nationally.
This is not a back-office improvement role. You’ll be visible on the floor across every site, working alongside supervisors, engineers and operators to understand the realities of production and build improvements that last. At the same time, you’ll be a trusted voice at Board and ELT level, shaping decisions on capacity, capital investment and long-term operational priorities.
Benefits
- A genuine executive seat with direct access to the Board
- Real backing and a clear mandate to make meaningful change
- Fast decision-making, so your impact is visible
- Solid improvement groundwork already in place to build on
- A business that values quality and genuinely wants to get better
Duties / Key Responsibilities - Set the strategic direction for Lean transformation and continuous improvement across the group, and own the roadmap that delivers it
- Standardise Lean systems across every site, including Value Stream Mapping, 5S, Kaizen, Pull Systems and Flow
- Drive root-cause problem solving to eliminate waste, rework, bottlenecks and poor flow, with corrective action that holds
- Put in place practical measures, targets and visual management that make performance visible and drive accountability
- Lead culture change toward a collaborative, improvement-focused way of working, and coach emerging leaders to build lasting Lean capability
Skills and Experience - Substantial senior leadership experience in steel fabrication, heavy engineering or a similarly complex manufacturing environment
- A track record of improving multi-site operations
- Hands-on experience implementing and standardising Lean across multiple sites, not just overseeing it
- A practical, data-driven approach to root-cause problem solving and performance measurement
- Proven ability to lead culture change with a visible, floor-based leadership style
- A genuine track record of developing leaders and building capability in others
- Confidence operating at Board level while staying credible on the shop floor
- A degree in Engineering (Mechanical ideal) will be highly regarded
Brisbane based role - Open to relocation candidates (Australia wide)
Stephanie Kennewell is recruiting for this role on behalf of Allura Partners.
If you’re interested in this opportunity and feel you’re the right fit, please click “Apply” or contact Stephanie at stephanie.kennewell@allurapartners.com.au
About Allura Partners Allura Partners was founded to support private equity firms by placing C-Suites to lead, transform, and scale portfolio companies. Today, in addition to our proven private equity specialisation, we’ve become a trusted partner for major ASX-listed and private enterprises in Australia, offering executive search, recruitment, and business transformation. Known for integrity, reliability, and results, our expertise spans Executive Search, Accounting & Finance, Transformation & Change, and Technology & Digital. We connect businesses and top-tier talent, exceeding expectations and driving lasting impact.
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