General Manager

INTERNATIONAL RECRUITMENT & HR EXPERTS ACROSS THE PLASTICS, PACKAGING, SPECIALITY CHEMICALS, LIFE SCIENCES, BIOPOLYMER, FOOD ADDITIVES & INGREDIENTS, ENERGY AND RECYCLING SECTORS SINCE 1975.

PET Plastics Recycling
Location: Metro Melbourne, Australia
Relocation assistance available

Job ref: CST /64691
Salary: Executive package

The Company:

We are proud to be retained by Circular Plastics Australia (CPA) to hire an exceptional opportunity for a well-rounded senior leader who is passionate about PET/polymer recycling. CPA is a leading national joint venture dedicated to advancing Australia’s circular economy. With $100M invested across two state-of-the-art food-grade PET recycling facilities, the company transforms post-consumer plastics into high-quality recycled resin for premium packaging applications. They are innovators, collaborators, and industry leaders committed to building a more sustainable future.

The Role:

Reporting to the CPA (PET) Board, the General Manager will take full ownership of CPA’s operational, cultural, and financial performance. Leading approximately 110 employees across two sites, this role will maximise output, lift product quality, drive operational excellence, and deliver strong shareholder returns. You will guide a high-performing Senior Leadership Team spanning Operations, Technical, WHSE, Sales, Projects, Finance, and People & Culture—setting a clear vision and elevating CPA toward global best practice in food-grade recycled resin manufacturing.

There is the potential for the right candidate, following demonstrated performance with the PET plants, to be entrusted with an additional plant producing rHDPE.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead operational, safety, quality, and commercial performance across two recycling plants.
• Build and develop a high-performing team and embed a culture of accountability and continuous improvement.
• Optimise production to maximise throughput, quality, and efficiency.
• Implement strong operational metrics and business plans aligned to OE principles.
• Strengthen manufacturing and quality systems to ensure high-value, food-grade resin output.
• Drive integration and synergy across sites to enhance performance and consistency.
• Manage capital planning, asset performance, and long-term operational capability.
• Maintain strong relationships with key internal and external stakeholders.

Person Profile:

• Seasoned operational leader with experience in plastics, resin, recycling or related industrial manufacturing sectors.
• There is a strong preference to hire a person with extensive experience of rPET resin. Candidates with PE/PP experience are also encouraged to reply.
• 10+ years’ senior leadership experience at GM level with demonstrable commercial capability alongside strong expertise in operations.
• A hands-on, results-driven leadership style with the ability to drive change and build high-performance cultures.
• Strong track record in operational excellence, continuous improvement and P&L delivery.
• Robust personality with the gravitas to inspire the workforce and manage multiple stakeholder agendas.
• Proven capability leading multi-site, high-volume environments.
• The ability to engage and influence from shop floor to boardroom.

For reasons of better legibility, the simultaneous use of the language forms male, female and diverse (f/m/d) is avoided. All personal designations apply equally to all genders.

For EU roles, candidates must be eligible to work and live in the European Union. Proof of eligibility will be required with your application.