Engineering Manager - Chef Fresh (Coles Group) - Banksmeadow

We’ve been proudly serving Australian communities since 1914 and have grown to become a top 30-listed company on the ASX with a portfolio of iconic homegrown brands. At the heart of our continued success is over 115,000 team members working across the country, all contributing to bringing our customers smiles. You’ll not only get to see your work make a difference, you’ll be part of a team working together to help Australians eat and live better every day.

About the team

Our manufacturing team are an essential part of turning raw materials into products ready for customers. We have a strong focus on team member safety, quality and continuous improvement whilst ensuring that customers' security of supply, quality, availability of product and value for money expectations are met. You'll work alongside a diverse group of individuals with different backgrounds, cultures, personalities, and beliefs, much like the communities we serve.

About the role

The Engineering Manager is a key member of the Senior Leadership Team, reporting directly to the Head of Site.

This role is responsible for leading and overseeing the Engineering function within our ready-made meals manufacturing facility. With a strong focus on safety, downtime reduction, and reliability best practice, you will play a critical role in driving operational performance and site outcomes.

You will provide both strategic direction and hands-on leadership, ensuring the engineering team delivers high performance while continuously improving site operations, asset reliability, and production efficiency.

You will also:
• Lead and embed a strong safety culture through visible leadership, engagement, and accountability.
• Lead, develop, and inspire a high-performing engineering team, fostering a culture of achievement, capability building, and continuous development.
• Ensure structured development plans are in place, with capability needs assessed and targeted initiatives implemented across the engineering team.
• Oversee day-to-day engineering operations while contributing to longer-term engineering strategy and site performance improvement.
• Maintain accurate and comprehensive records of maintenance and project activities to support traceability, knowledge sharing, and performance evaluation.
• Drive plant performance through the implementation of Lean principles and Reliability Centred Maintenance (RCM) to maximise line availability and first-pass quality.
• Ensure the safe, compliant, and efficient operation of all plant utilities and services in line with company standards and legislative requirements.

About you and your skills

• Extensive engineering management experience within a food FMCG environment, leading large, multi-disciplinary teams.
• Proven ability to lead teams, set direction, and deliver engineering strategies that improve operational performance.
• Experience developing and implementing CMMS systems to reduce downtime and optimise maintenance activities.
• Strong track record of delivering against maintenance KPIs and driving continuous improvement initiatives.
• Experience developing zero-based maintenance and capital budgets within a strategic framework, delivering value across P&L and capital investment.
• Solid knowledge and practical experience in implementing and sustaining Lean principles.

What’s in it for you?

• Discounts: Eligible team members receive 5% discount all year round on your Supermarket and Liquor online and in-store purchases. We also offer additional periods of double discount (10%) at various times throughout the year. As well as hotdeals exclusive to team members that translate into additional savings.
• Reward through recognition: Give and receive recognition, linked to our Coles values, through our digital recognition platform ‘mythanks’. You can accumulate points to redeem in the online shop for exciting gifts and electronic gift cards from an extensive range of retailers.
• Opportunities for learning and development: No matter where you start within our diverse business, you’ll have experiences, exposure, and education to satisfy you. Discover and explore a variety of career development programs and job-specific training.
• Paid parental leave: We understand how important your life outside work is and offer permanent team members paid parental leave to support you in balancing work and family.
• Investment in your future: Our annual team member share plan offer allows eligible team members to make regular pre-tax salary sacrifice deductions to purchase Coles Group shares.

About the recruitment process

We’re continuing to build a gender equitable team, and a culture that is just as diverse, inclusive and welcoming as the communities we serve. We are committed to creating a workplace that is safe and respectful for our team. We encourage applications from people of all ages, cultures (including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples), abilities, sexual orientation and gender identities.

We’re happy to adjust our recruitment process to support candidates with disability. For further information and additional contact details visit the ‘Our Recruitment Process’ section of our careers site or email inclusionrecruitment@coles.com.au

Job ID: 183717

Employment Type: Full time
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