Production Manager | Full Time | Melbourne

Who we are:

With a deep connection to the Australian way of life, Jardan is an Australian owned business that supports local manufacturing. We drive the simple mission of making beautiful furniture pieces with a sustainable and responsible approach. Steering away from the conventional layout, our Showrooms are carefully curated and each space is a direct translation of how the furniture, homewares, art and lighting can exist in unison.

Our Head Office, Sales and Production teams work together, evolving ideas and solving problems. What started as a team of eight has now grown to over 220 staff members that all live and breathe a collaborative ethos.

What we are looking for:

We are seeking a full time Production Manager to oversee the end-to-end manufacturing process within the Timber and Upholstery departments. This role ensures that production targets are met through strategic planning, resource optimization, and a relentless focus on Safety, Quality, Delivery, and Efficiency. The Production Manager drives a culture of continuous improvement and mentors a high-performing team to deliver premium furniture products on time and to specification. Reporting to the Operations Manager, we’re looking for someone that has:

- Trade Qualification (e.g., Cabinet Making, Upholstery) is essential, or a

- Diploma in Frontline Management

- Industry Experience: 5+ years in a production leadership role within furniture or high-end timber manufacturing

- Technical Savvy: Deep knowledge of timber joinery and upholstery; proficiency in ERP/MRP systems and Excel

- A natural leader capable of inspiring diverse teams and navigating change management

This role will be based onsite at our HQ in Scoresby.

What the role entails:

Production Planning & Delivery Excellence

- Execution & Flow: Manage weekly production schedules across Timber and Upholstery to guarantee 100% on-time delivery.

- Resource Optimization: Proactively manage labor, material flow, and machinery uptime to preempt and eliminate bottlenecks.

- Recovery Management: Design and execute strategic "catch-up" plans to mitigate delays and protect customer lead times.

- Reporting & Analytics: Deliver high-level visibility on order status and capacity forecasts to Sales, Logistics, and Executive leadership.

- Agile Resourcing: Conduct weekly labor reviews, managing overtime and cross-departmental deployment to meet fluctuating demand.

Operational Performance & Continuous Improvement

- SQDE Leadership: Facilitate high-impact daily "Toolbox" meetings focused on Safety, Quality, Delivery, and Efficiency metrics.

- Lean Transformation: Champion Lean Manufacturing initiatives (5S, Kaizen, DMS) to reduce waste and standardize workflows.

- Performance Monitoring: Track OEE (Overall Equipment Effectiveness), DMS and material yields, implementing rapid corrective actions for any variances.

- R&D Collaboration: Partner with the Design team on prototyping to ensure new products are optimized for manufacturing feasibility.

Leadership & People Development

- Cultural Stewardship: Model professional behavioral standards and maintain transparent, open communication across the shop floor.

- Capability Building: Oversee the Production Skills Matrix; identify training gaps and mentor the next generation of supervisors.

- Talent Management: Collaborate with People & Culture on strategic recruitment, onboarding, and the annual performance review cycle.

- KPI Accountability: Establish and monitor departmental KPIs that align with the company’s overarching strategic goals.

Safety, Quality & Asset Management

- Safety Advocacy: Serve as a lead representative on the OHS Committee, ensuring safety protocols are a fundamental part of daily operations.

- Quality Assurance: Cultivate a "Right First Time" culture, overseeing rigorous quality audits to protect the brand’s premium market position.

- Asset Lifecycle: Manage preventative maintenance schedules and develop business cases for Capital Expenditure (CapEx) in new technology.

- Work Cover: Actively participate in the return-to-work process in collaboration with the RTW Coordinator

What we provide:

We are proud of our people what their individual talents are, and we reward our people right from the very beginning. We will provide you with:

- Beautiful work spaces 

- A great team environment who all work as one

- Access to our Employee Assistance Program

- Competitive salary

- Generous staff discounts on both furniture and homewares 

- Refer a friend payment incentive on applicable roles  

- Development and training opportunities

How to apply:

Please email your resume and cover letter to our People and Culture team, or email us at jobs@jardan.com.au

Please note only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.