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
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.
Joshua Hodge
Joshua has 5 years of recruitment experience across hospitality, construction, manufacturing, and logistics.
He is a Senior Recruitment Consultant at Fuse Recruitment, specialising in white-collar roles and new business development.
Carl Kellis
With 7+ years in trades and manufacturing recruitment, Carl specialises in plumbing, electrical, carpentry, and facades. He leads the Trades & Labour team at Fuse Recruitment, delivering reliable workforce solutions for short- and long-term needs.
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.
Nikita Ito
Nikita is a Recruitment Resourcer at Fuse Rcruitment, bringing 8 years of experience in client services and recruitment. She sources high-quality candidates for operational and skilled roles for the manufacturing industry.
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.
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.
Peter Cheal
Peter is a Recruitment Consultant specialising in engineering and trades roles, with experience across civil, oil & gas, renewables, and infrastructure sectors.
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
Mechanical Plumber
This trade-qualified plumber brings over seven years of hands-on experience across commercial, domestic, and mechanical plumbing, with a current focus on mechanical plumbing. They have developed strong practical expertise in plumbing maintenance, drainage systems, and split-system heat pump installations.
They hold a VBA Registration, High Risk Work Licence issued by Energy Safe Victoria, and a Construction Induction (White Card), supported by an extensive range of machinery tickets, including Scissor Lift, Vertical Lift, Skid Steer, Backhoe, and Excavator. This combination of trade qualifications and equipment licences makes them a well-rounded and immediately deployable candidate across a range of project environments.
Welder & Fabricator
Trade-qualified welder and fabricator brings hands-on experience across trailer manufacturing environments, specialising in precision welding, metal fabrication, and component assembly. Skilled in working with varying metal thicknesses and complex builds, they consistently deliver high-quality, durable outputs aligned to production standards.
They have experience operating CNC plasma cutting machinery, calibrating welding equipment, and optimising fabrication processes to improve efficiency, reduce rework, and support reliable production outcomes. With strong attention to detail and a focus on structural integrity, they contribute effectively to fast-paced workshop environments.
Sales Director
Brings extensive experience across mortgage broking, financial services, and digital marketing, with a proven track record of driving revenue growth and exceeding performance targets. Currently operating as a mortgage broker, they have rapidly risen to top-tier performance, ranking in the top 3 for held appointments and leading booking volumes across a large sales cohort.
With a background in leading cross-regional sales teams and closing high-value deals, they combine strong commercial acumen with exceptional client engagement and conversion capability. Known for developing and executing strategic sales initiatives, they consistently deliver measurable outcomes in high-pressure, target-driven environments.
Head of Investment & Policy
Brings 20+ years of experience delivering large-scale economic development, infrastructure, and policy outcomes across complex, politically sensitive environments. With deep networks across government, industry, and investment sectors, they specialise in stakeholder engagement, policy influence, and strategic program delivery.
They have led high-performing multidisciplinary teams and managed portfolios exceeding $100M, consistently delivering measurable outcomes, including $5B+ in economic impact, major capital investment attraction, and successful delivery of large-scale infrastructure and grant programs.
Freight Operations Lead
Experienced import operations specialist brings strong capability across FCL, LCL, and air freight, managing high-volume shipments end-to-end within fast-paced freight forwarding environments. Currently overseeing 40+ weekly shipments, they combine hands-on CargoWise expertise with strong operational coordination across global agents, carriers, and transport providers.
With experience leading team meetings and monitoring productivity, they contribute to both operational efficiency and team performance, while maintaining strong client communication and service standards.
Governance & Compliance Leader
A senior enterprise risk professional brings extensive experience across financial services, specialising in risk frameworks, governance, and compliance transformation. With a strong track record in uplifting risk maturity, they have successfully partnered with executives and boards to embed robust risk cultures, enhance reporting, and strengthen organisational resilience.
They are highly skilled in developing and implementing enterprise-wide risk and compliance frameworks, improving incident management, and delivering data-driven insights that support strategic decision-making. Known for their stakeholder influence and ability to translate complex risk concepts into actionable outcomes, they consistently drive accountability, transparency, and continuous improvement across organisations.
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 Make Your Trade Resume Stand Out
Practical tips to help trades and manufacturing workers secure more interviews In trades and manufacturing, strong hands-on skills are essential. But if your resume does not clearly show what you can do, employers may never get to see your capability in action. Many trade resumes are too vague, too short or missing key details. In…
How to Make Your Warehousing CV Stand Out
Practical tips to help warehouse workers get noticed by employers Warehousing roles remain in strong demand across Australia, from distribution centres and logistics hubs to manufacturing facilities and retail supply chains. However, high demand does not always mean easy hiring. Many warehouse roles attract a large number of applicants, particularly for positions such as pick…
How Technology Is Changing Trade and Manufacturing Jobs
Why automation on site is creating opportunity, not replacing skilled workers Automation and digital systems are becoming more common across manufacturing plants, warehouses, construction sites and infrastructure projects in Australia. From smart production lines and predictive maintenance systems to digital job tracking and mobile safety reporting, technology is changing how work is performed on the…
Our manufacturing and operations insights
How to Make Your Trade Resume Stand Out
Practical tips to help trades and manufacturing workers secure more interviews In trades and manufacturing, strong hands-on skills are essential. But if your resume does not clearly show what you can do, employers may never get to see your capability in action. Many trade resumes are too vague, too short or missing key details. In…
How to Make Your Warehousing CV Stand Out
Practical tips to help warehouse workers get noticed by employers Warehousing roles remain in strong demand across Australia, from distribution centres and logistics hubs to manufacturing facilities and retail supply chains. However, high demand does not always mean easy hiring. Many warehouse roles attract a large number of applicants, particularly for positions such as pick…
How Technology Is Changing Trade and Manufacturing Jobs
Why automation on site is creating opportunity, not replacing skilled workers Automation and digital systems are becoming more common across manufacturing plants, warehouses, construction sites and infrastructure projects in Australia. From smart production lines and predictive maintenance systems to digital job tracking and mobile safety reporting, technology is changing how work is performed on the…
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.
