27th July, 2026
- Senior executive leadership role within a complex operational environment.
- Lead a large, multidisciplinary workforce across multiple functions.
- Attractive executive remuneration package in the Cairns region.
About the Company
Tully Sugar Limited is a major regional employer operating a large, complex sugar milling business in Far North Queensland. The company produces quality raw sugar and molasses, supported by extensive processing, engineering, maintenance, rail and logistics operations.
With approximately 350 employees and significant operational assets, Tully Sugar is focused on strengthening safety, reliability, accountability and sustainable business performance.
About the Role
Reporting to the Chief Executive Officer, the General Manager Operations is a key member of the executive leadership team and is accountable for the safe, reliable and commercially disciplined performance of Tully Sugar’s operations.
Leading a large workforce through multiple functional heads, this is a highly visible leadership role requiring a strong presence across the business. The successful candidate will establish clear expectations, strengthen leadership capability and ensure managers and teams are accountable for safety, performance, conduct and delivery.
The role holds broad responsibility for production, maintenance and reliability, cane supply and transport operations, financial management, capital delivery, workforce capability, risk and continuous improvement. It requires an experienced executive who can balance seasonal production demands with asset integrity, cost control, workforce requirements, grower impacts and the organisation’s longer term strategic objectives.
Your Responsibilities: - Lead a large, multidisciplinary workforce through multiple senior functional leaders.
- Drive accountability, safety, high performance and continuous improvement across operations.
- Oversee production planning, asset reliability, maintenance and business continuity.
- Manage substantial operating and capital budgets with strong commercial discipline.
- Strengthen leadership capability, workforce planning, succession and stakeholder relationships.
- Monitor performance and risk, providing transparent reporting to the CEO and Board.
Skills and Experience Required - Relevant tertiary qualifications in engineering, manufacturing, process operations or a related discipline, or equivalent senior industrial experience.
- Substantial senior leadership experience within a safety critical, continuous process or complex industrial operation.
- Demonstrated accountability for operational performance, asset maintenance and reliability, large workforces, and significant operating and capital budgets.
- Proven experience managing ageing assets, major shutdowns, contractors, regulatory requirements and material operational risks.
- Strong commercial judgement, executive and Board reporting capability, communication skills, industrial relations experience and stakeholder management expertise.
- Sugar milling or comparable heavy process industry experience, including exposure to rail or bulk materials transport interfaces is desirable.
- Chartered engineering or RPEQ status, or demonstrated access to appropriate engineering governance capability, will also be highly regarded.
Applicants must be able to clearly demonstrate the commercial outcomes they have delivered, the scale and complexity of the teams they have led, and how they have improved safety, accountability and organisational performance.
The position requires a substantial onsite leadership presence in Tully, including the capacity to respond to after-hours operational matters during the crushing season. An attractive executive remuneration package will be negotiated with the successful candidate.
How to apply
To be considered, please submit your
resume and a covering letter outlining your suitability and relevant leadership achievements. All enquiries and applications will be treated in the strictest confidence.
Closing date for applications will be
1700hrs Friday 14th August 2026
Applications will be reviewed as received and suitable candidates may be progressed prior to the closing date.
Please note that all communication with Elite Executive is maintained strictly confidential. No information will be forwarded to any party without your permission as we respect your right to explore employment opportunities.
At Elite Executive we are committed to creating inclusive workplaces that promote and value diversity and inclusion. We encourage and welcome people from all backgrounds who meet role requirements to apply.
ONLY APPLICANTS WITH THE RIGHT TO WORK IN AUSTRALIA WILL BE CONSIDERED FOR THIS ROLE
Apply For Job