Director, Manufacturing Operations

About the role

We are seeking a Director, Manufacturing Operations to lead and evolve manufacturing operations at our Brisbane site. This newly created role is responsible for leading and managing manufacturing and engineering (manufacturing support) department to deliver short to mid-term targets in line with the overall Australia manufacturing strategy. Reporting to the VP, Manufacturing Australia, you will lead a complex manufacturing and an engineering department . balancing operational performance with long-term transformation. You will be instrumental in shaping the future of manufacturing at Cochlear, driving improvements across capacity, cost, quality, and delivery, partnering cross- department ally to industrialise new products and technologies, and building an engaged, high-performing workforce.

Responsibilities

• Lead Manufacturing Operations
• Lead and develop a multi-layered manufacturing and engineering department , strengthening leadership capability across teams
• Deliver operational outcomes across people, quality, capacity, customer service, and cost
• Own department al performance, including financial outcomes, headcount, and resource allocation
• Drive Operational Performance & Scale
• Develop and execute capacity plans that respond to changing demand while improving agility and cost efficiency
• Anticipate and manage risks to volume, quality, and cost in close partnership with cross- department al stakeholders
• Drive consistent deployment of operational excellence initiatives across the site
• Lead Transformation & Continuous Improvement
• Lead large-scale manufacturing and improvement initiatives, embedding lean and continuous improvement practices across the operation
• Lift yield, productivity, and cost performance through structured improvement programs
• Shape manufacturing and engineering strategy and contribute to the transformation roadmap manufacturing strategy and contribute to the transformation roadmap
• Enable New Product Introduction
• Partner with R&D, Quality, and Engineering to transition new technologies and products into manufacturing
• Ensure successful industrialisation with a strong focus on ramp-up, yield, and cost outcomes
• Build People & Culture
• Develop and execute a talent strategy that supports long-term site capability, succession, and growth
• Coach and develop leaders to build a high-performing, accountable culture
• Foster an inclusive, safe, and collaborative environment aligned with Cochlear's values
• What Makes This Opportunity Unique?
• About You
• To succeed in this role, you will bring the credibility, leadership depth, and operational judgement to lead in a complex, regulated environment while driving meaningful change.
• Experience & Expertise
• Significant experience in precision manufacturing, medical devices, or other highly regulated industries, working within operational management, including Manufacturing and Engineering departments, leading teams of more than 150
• Planning and executing short to medium (1-3 years) operational strategies delivering impactful change
• Demonstrated success delivering large-scale transformation and continuous improvement programs
• Strong commercial acumen, including a clear understanding of manufacturing cost drivers, productivity, and operational trade-offs
• Experience embedding lean methodologies and operational excellence at site level
• A strong track record supporting new product introduction and industrialisation in manufacturing environments
• Leadership Capabilities
• Proven ability to lea

Additional Information

Please submit your application as soon as possible, as we reserve the right to close this advertisement at any time. Cochlear's mission is to help people hear and be heard. As the global leader in implantable hearing solutions, Cochlear is dedicated to helping people with moderate to profound hearing loss experience a world full of sound. We aim to transform the way people understand and treat hearing loss and innovate to connect people with future technologies. Our employees tell us that the number one reason they enjoy working for Cochlear is the opportunity to make a difference to people's lives. Learn and grow with us as we tackle the most complex challenges in helping more people to experience a lifetime of hearing.

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