General Manager-Operations
Sector: Packaging
Function: Executive/Interim/HR/IT/Finance
Location: Australia
Ref: CST/64979
INTERNATIONAL RECRUITMENT & HR EXPERTS ACROSS THE PLASTICS, PACKAGING, SPECIALITY CHEMICALS, LIFE SCIENCES, BIOPOLYMER, FOOD ADDITIVES & INGREDIENTS, ENERGY AND RECYCLING SECTORS SINCE 1975.
Based in:
Australia
The Company:
Pact Packaging Australia is part of one of Australasia’s leading packaging, recycling and sustainability businesses, delivering innovative solutions across consumer and industrial markets.
With advanced manufacturing capability, significant investment in recycling infrastructure, and a genuine commitment to the Circular Economy, Pact partners with many of the region’s most recognised brands across food, beverage, pharmaceutical, household and industrial sectors.
Driven by innovation, operational excellence and sustainability, Pact continues to lead the way in transforming packaging and manufacturing for a more sustainable future.
The Role:
Pact Packaging Australia is seeking an accomplished and commercially astute General Manager – Operations to lead and optimise a complex national manufacturing operation.
This is a high-impact leadership role focused on driving operational excellence, building high-performing teams, and embedding a culture of accountability, continuous improvement and safety across multiple manufacturing sites and technologies.
Working closely with the Senior Leadership Team, the successful candidate will play a critical role in translating strategy into disciplined operational execution while improving performance across safety, quality, service, cost and asset utilisation.
The role offers the opportunity to influence large-scale manufacturing operations within a business at the forefront of sustainable packaging and recycling innovation.Click on this text to edit it.
Responsibilities:
Lead end-to-end manufacturing operations across multiple sites and production technologies
Drive operational performance across OEE, DIFOT, waste reduction, quality, asset care and cost management
Build and lead a high-performance operational culture focused on accountability, engagement and continuous improvement
Champion best practice in HSE, ensuring compliance and proactive safety leadership across all operations
Deliver operational excellence initiatives including lean manufacturing, automation and digital transformation
Lead capital projects and operational investment programs
Partner with commercial and supply chain functions to optimise customer outcomes and operational delivery
Support sustainability and circular economy initiatives through innovation and manufacturing excellence
Develop operational capability and succession pipelines across the business.
The Candidate:
We are looking for an experienced senior operations leader with a strong background in manufacturing and a proven ability to lead complex, multi-site operations.
Significant senior operational leadership experience within manufacturing environments
Strong experience in plastics manufacturing, injection moulding, blow moulding, extrusion and/or related processes
Demonstrated success driving operational excellence and continuous improvement initiatives
Strong commercial and financial acumen with experience managing operational budgets and performance targets
A track record of leading cultural transformation and developing high-performing teams
Experience managing supply chain, logistics and operational planning functions
A collaborative leadership style with the ability to influence across multiple stakeholder groups
Degree qualifications in Engineering, Manufacturing, Business or a related discipline
Why Join Pact?
This is an opportunity to join a market-leading business with genuine scale, strong investment in sustainability and a clear long-term vision.
A senior leadership role with strategic influence
Exposure to advanced manufacturing and sustainability innovation
A values-led culture focused on safety, integrity and collaboration
The opportunity to make a meaningful impact across operational performance and sustainable manufacturing outcomes
Please understand that due to the expected high number of applications, only shortlisted candidates will be contacted directly
Applicants must have the legal right to work in the country where the role is located. Evidence of the right to work may be required during the recruitment process.
For reasons of readability, gender-specific language has been simplified. All references to individuals apply equally to people of all genders.
Throughout 2026 & 2027 you can meet with Listgrove at the following exhibitions:
Interpack, France Innovation Plasturgie, Interplas UK, Plast Milan, Fakuma, ArabPlast, NPE 2027.
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