National Optimisation and Automation Manager

About the role

A well-established, family-owned Australian business with 11 sites and a national distribution network of about 30,000 SKUs is looking for a National Optimisation and Automation Manager. This is a hands-on, national role focused on improving productivity, maximising capacity and driving cost savings across warehouse and transport operations. The role works closely with site leadership and cross-functional teams to turn operational insights into measurable results.

Key responsibilities

• Analyse end-to-end warehouse processes (inbound, putaway, replenishment, picking, packing and dispatch) to improve productivity and reduce costs.
• Develop labour planning models, workload forecasts and productivity standards to reduce overtime, agency labour and unproductive time.
• Run time-and-motion studies, operational observations and root-cause analysis to remove bottlenecks and improve throughput.
• Optimise the interaction between people, processes, WMS/WCS systems, conveyors and automation.
• Build operational models to assess line rates, capacity constraints, labour requirements and workflow efficiency across sites.
• Lead continuous improvement initiatives from analysis and business case through to implementation and sustained results.
• Identify and deliver cost-saving opportunities in warehouse and transport, with accountability for measuring financial benefits.
• Partner with DC Managers and operational leaders to embed improved processes, and support the optimisation of the Melbourne distribution centre ahead of its 2027 relocation.

Required profile

• Experience in warehouse operations, operational excellence, continuous improvement or supply chain optimisation, preferably across a multi-site network.
• Proven track record of productivity improvements through process analysis, time-and-motion studies, labour modelling and workflow optimisation.
• Experience in manual, RF-directed and semi-automated warehouses, able to improve processes without relying solely on major technology investments.
• Ability to quantify savings, track benefits and show a clear return on investment.
• Stakeholder management skills, able to influence DC Managers and operational teams without direct reporting authority.

Required skills

• Understanding of WMS, WCS, conveyor systems and warehouse automation.
• Advanced Excel and analytical modelling, with experience building business cases from operational data.

What we offer

• Competitive base salary plus superannuation and a performance bonus of up to 10%.
• Hybrid arrangement: three days on-site and two days remote.
• National exposure with travel across the distribution network as required.
• Direct exposure to senior leadership and accountability for commercial outcomes.