Manufacturing & Operations Jobs and Recruitment
At Fuse, we specialise in connecting high-performing talent with employers across Australia’s diverse manufacturing and operations sectors. Whether you’re looking for your next role or hiring exceptional people, we understand the technical expertise, teamwork, and safety focus that keep manufacturing operations running efficiently.
Fuse Recruitment is trusted by top Australian companies
About Our Manufacturing & Operations Recruitment Expertise
About Our Manufacturing & Operations Recruitment Expertise
Manufacturing is at the core of Australia’s industrial strength, and skilled operational staff are the backbone of every production line.
Our Manufacturing & Operations specialists recruit for roles that ensure efficiency, safety, and product quality, supporting clients across small batch manufacturing through to high-volume, automated environments.
We provide recruitment solutions for temporary, contract, and permanent positions and take a partnership approach with every client to ensure the right fit technically and culturally.
Our Expertise Covers:
• Assembly and process work
• Machine operation and production lines
• Continuous improvement and Lean manufacturing
• Quality control, assurance, and compliance
• Health, safety, and environment (WHS/HSE)
• Production and operations management
• Manufacturing leadership and supervision
• Procurement, purchasing, and inventory roles
Manufacturing & Operations in Numbers
With strong employment, steady growth, and ongoing investment in innovation, manufacturing and operations remain one of Australia’s most resilient and opportunity-rich sectors.
902 K+
people employed nationally
$ 134 B+
in annual economic output
47 K+
manufacturing businesses in Australia
83 %
of manufacturers are investing in technology upgrades
Roles we commonly recruit
Production Operator
Machine Operator
Process Technician
Process Operator
Maintenance Technician
Mechanical Fitter
Electrical Maintenance Technician
Electrician
Production Supervisor
Shift Supervisor
Team Leader
Manufacturing Engineer
Process Engineer
Quality Assurance
Quality Control Officer
Quality Engineer
Calibration Technician
Continuous Improvement
Lean Coordinator
Reliability Engineer
Safety Officer
WHS Officer
HSE Officer
WHS Manager
Environmental & Sustainability Officer
Production Planner
Scheduling Coordinator
Inventory Planner
Materials Planner
Purchasing Officer
Procurement Officer
Supply Chain Coordinator
Toolmaker
CNC Machinist
Fabricator
Welder
Assembly Technician
Assembler
Pickers & Packers
Forklift Operator
Automation Technician
Robotics Technician
Controls Technician
Instrumentation Technician
Operations Manager
Plant Manager
Latest manufacturing and operations jobs
Career Pathways in Manufacturing & Operations
Manufacturing offers diverse and rewarding career options, from hands-on production to leadership and continuous improvement. Explore our detailed role profiles to learn more about responsibilities, key skills, and career progression.
Disciplines we recruit for
From business support through to technical and specialist roles, we recruit across a wide scope of disciplines to help organisations build strong, capable teams, and support job seekers in finding opportunities that match their skills and career goals.
Manufacturing & Operations
FMCG
Health & Life Sciences
Industrial & Heavy
Industries we hire manufacturing and operations in
Fuse Recruitment is a specialist recruitment agency that partners with businesses in the insurance, financial services, manufacturing and operations, infrastructure, renewable energy, government, and technology industries across Australia.
Manufacturing & Operations
FMCG
Health & Life Sciences
Industrial & Heavy
Logistics, Transport & Warehousing
Our industrial manufacturing and operations team
Caelan Campbell
Caelan brings four years of professional experience, with a background that sets him apart in the sectors he now recruits for.
Erika Thompson
Erika brings 26 years of labour hire recruitment experience, specialising in Manufacturing, Food Manufacturing, and Supply Chain. As Team Leader at Fuse Recruitment, she delivers practical workforce solutions for FMCG clients.
Shayne Manalansan
Shayne is a Recruitment Coordinator at Fuse Recruitment with experience in HR within food manufacturing, supporting the manufacturing and operations desk and driving efficient hiring outcomes.
Juvy Bragais
Juvy has 9 years of recruitment experience in manufacturing. Currently supporting Fuse’s manufacturing & operations team specialising in sourcing and candidate management, She is passionate about helping candidates secure meaningful opportunities.
Imogen Chandler
Imogen is a Recruitment Resourcer at Fuse Recruitment and is currently studying a Bachelor of Business (HR Management). She supports end-to-end recruitment, including sourcing, screening, and placing candidates.
Trisha Villasencio
Trisha has nearly three years’ experience in sourcing, interviewing, and supporting recruitment across industries. She currently assists Fuse’s Manufacturing and Operations team as Recruitment Resourcer.
Hannah Benchouat
Hannah is an experienced recruitment consultant with a background in business development and account management. She is skilled in sourcing, assessing, and placing candidates while fostering strong client relationships.
Imani Annor
Imani is a Recruitment Consultant at Fuse with around three years of experience, specialising in finding and placing suitable candidate for clients in the manufacturing and operations industry.
DJ Pupualii
DJ is a Recruitment Resourcer with 10 years of experience across recruitment and community services, specialising in manufacturing and operations at Fuse Recruitment.
Mathew Jannenga
Mathew is a Recruitment Consultant with over eights years in warehousing and supply chain management. He excels in driving sales, building client relationships, and managing placements in recruitment.
Danielle Tingling
Danielle brings over nine years of recruitment experience across the United Kingdom and Australia, with a career that has spanned healthcare, government, infrastructure and construction.
Keziah Delos Reyes
Keziah has over five years of recruitment experience spanning engineering, construction and data centre sectors.
Louise Chua
Louise is a Recruitment Resourcer at Fuse Recruitment, specialising in the Infrastructure and Renewables industries. She is experienced in managing the end-to-end recruitment process, effectively connecting candidates with clients.
Nicole Clarke
With over five years immersed in the manufacturing and industrial sector, Nicole’s focus has always been on recruitment, labour hire, and team leadership.
Mike Hadley
Mike is the Team Leader of our Manufacturing operation in Sydney. He launched his career in recruitment in 2009 and has since established himself as a specialist in the Manufacturing and Transport and Logistics fields.
Mathew Westcott
Mathew is the Managing Director of Fuse Recruitment, a leading specialist recruitment consulting business in the Manufacturing & Operations, Insurance & Financial Services, Infrastructure & Renewable Energy, and Technology & Transformation industry.
Tyson McNeilly
Tyson McNeilly, CEO and Co-Founder, has been pivotal in driving Fuse’s growth, focusing on operational excellence, profitability, and the development of the team.
Melissa Kennedy
As National Manager of Manufacturing & Operations at Fuse Recruitment, Melissa coordinates our recruitment service offerings and client partnerships across our specialist sectors of pharmaceutical, medical device, FMCG, industrial sectors.
Sebastian Leeder
Sebastian has an extensive background in recruiting across the infrastructure, renewable energy, and construction sectors. With a passion for the built form, Sebastian began his recruitment career in 2002.
Meet our top manufacturing and operations talent
Meet our top
manufacturing and operations talent
Claims Manager
Claims Manager with over 5 years of experience managing home and contents insurance claims, overseeing end-to-end processes from lodgement to resolution. Strong background in assessing policy coverage, reviewing reports, portfolio management, and coordinating with builders, assessors, and service providers.
A proven track record of managing a portfolio of up to 150 claims, reducing caseloads to 50 to 60 while maintaining accuracy and compliance, and coordinating effectively with stakeholders.
HSEQ Coordinator
HSEQ Coordinator with over 4 years of experience in safety management, risk assessment, and regulatory compliance across GMP, pharmaceutical, heavy industry, and construction environments. Strong background in hazard identification, incident investigation, engineering controls, and safety systems including HammerTech and SAP.
A proven track record of managing hazard identification and incident investigation, implementing engineering controls that reduced injuries, and driving safety culture and continuous improvement.
Electrical & Electronics Engineer
Electrical & Electronics Engineer with over 5 years of experience in electrical systems integration, troubleshooting, commissioning, and maintenance across industrial, manufacturing, and energy environments. Strong background in electrical fault diagnosis, system testing, compliance validation, embedded hardware design, and firmware development.
A proven track record of diagnosing electrical faults, commissioning and testing systems, validating compliance for power, battery, and solar systems, and developing embedded hardware and firmware.
Operations Manager
Operations Manager with extensive experience in manufacturing, plant operations, supply chain management, and P&L accountability across industries including building materials and FMCG. Strong background in operational transformation, process improvement, cost reduction, team leadership, and stakeholder engagement.
A proven track record of leading operational transformation, implementing process improvements, driving cost reductions, and fostering safety and quality cultures in high-volume environments.
Senior Underwriter
Senior Underwriter with over 20 years of experience in professional and financial lines insurance underwriting, including D&O, Management Liability, PI, cyber, and other financial risks. Strong background in managing large accounts, negotiations, renewals, new business, underwriting manuals, product development, and broker relationship management.
A proven track record of managing large accounts end to end, leading negotiations and renewals, developing products and underwriting manuals, and mentoring underwriting teams.
Process Operator
Process Operator with over three years of experience supporting plant operations within LNG and manufacturing environments, including routine equipment inspections and troubleshooting. Strong background in plant system monitoring, turnaround support, permit-to-work systems, and hazard identification and risk management.
A proven track record of supporting safe and compliant turnarounds, monitoring plant systems, conducting equipment inspections and troubleshooting, and collaborating within multidisciplinary teams.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the most common manufacturing jobs in Australia?
Some of the most in-demand manufacturing roles include machine operators, assemblers, maintenance fitters, production supervisors, and quality assurance officers. There’s also growing demand for WHS specialists, process engineers, and operations managers across industries such as FMCG, packaging, and medical devices.
What qualifications or licences do I need to work in manufacturing?
While many entry-level manufacturing jobs don’t require formal qualifications, employers value Cert III or IV in Manufacturing, Engineering, or Process Operations. For technical roles, a trade qualification (such as mechanical fitter or electrician) is essential. Forklift licences, confined space tickets, and safety training can also help you stand out.
Are manufacturing jobs in demand in Australia right now?
Yes, the manufacturing industry continues to grow, driven by advances in automation, local production, and renewable technology. Employers nationwide are hiring skilled staff for production, maintenance, quality, and leadership roles, especially in Victoria, New South Wales, and Queensland.
What skills do employers look for in manufacturing and operations workers?
Employers seek candidates who are reliable, safety-conscious, detail-oriented, and capable of working in fast-paced environments. Technical and soft skills such as problem-solving, teamwork, mechanical aptitude, and continuous improvement experience are highly valued.
What is the average salary for manufacturing jobs in Australia?
Pay varies by role, skill level, and location. Some common examples are:
- Machine Operators / Assemblers: $55,000–$75,000 p.a.
- Maintenance Fitters / Technicians: $70,000–$100,000 p.a.
- Quality & WHS Officers: $70,000–$95,000 p.a.
- Operations & Production Managers: $100,000–$150,000+ p.a. Shift loadings and overtime can increase total earnings.
Is manufacturing a good career choice in Australia?
Yes. Manufacturing offers long-term job security, practical skill development, and career growth opportunities. Many workers start in production or technical roles and progress into supervisory, management, or process improvement positions, supported by training and certifications.
Our manufacturing and operations insights
How to Retain Technical Talent in Regional Manufacturing
In Australia’s most remote areas, more than 80 per cent of employers say a job’s location is a reason they cannot attract enough applicants. For manufacturers in regional hubs, that is the daily reality. They compete with mining, construction and energy for the same skilled trades and technicians, often from a small local pool, and…
Where the Strongest Manufacturing Careers Are in 2026
Australian manufacturing is changing, and so are the careers within it. As factories adopt automation, robotics and connected systems, the sector is moving from traditional production lines towards advanced, highly regulated environments. For skilled workers, technicians and engineers, that shift is creating some of the strongest career opportunities in years, particularly across FMCG, life sciences and heavy…
Manufacturing Workforce Planning in Australia: Your FY2026-27 Hiring Plan
Australian manufacturing is not short of demand. It is short of people. A structural skills shortage, an ageing workforce, and accelerating automation mean the FY2027 hiring plan has to cover two things at once: the operational roles you need now, and the technology capability the business will need within 12 to 24 months. Setting that plan in July,…
Our manufacturing and operations insights
How to Retain Technical Talent in Regional Manufacturing
In Australia’s most remote areas, more than 80 per cent of employers say a job’s location is a reason they cannot attract enough applicants. For manufacturers in regional hubs, that is the daily reality. They compete with mining, construction and energy for the same skilled trades and technicians, often from a small local pool, and…
Where the Strongest Manufacturing Careers Are in 2026
Australian manufacturing is changing, and so are the careers within it. As factories adopt automation, robotics and connected systems, the sector is moving from traditional production lines towards advanced, highly regulated environments. For skilled workers, technicians and engineers, that shift is creating some of the strongest career opportunities in years, particularly across FMCG, life sciences and heavy…
Manufacturing Workforce Planning in Australia: Your FY2026-27 Hiring Plan
Australian manufacturing is not short of demand. It is short of people. A structural skills shortage, an ageing workforce, and accelerating automation mean the FY2027 hiring plan has to cover two things at once: the operational roles you need now, and the technology capability the business will need within 12 to 24 months. Setting that plan in July,…
Take your next step with Fuse
Take your next step with Fuse
Your next meaningful connection is just around the corner. Let us take you there.
Your next meaningful connection is just around the corner. Let us take you there.
