Director, Manufacturing Operations

The Opportunity 

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. 

Key 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-departmental 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? 

At Cochlear, you’ll join a global organisation where purpose and performance go hand in hand. This role offers the opportunity to lead in a highly sophisticated manufacturing environment, influence transformation at scale, and make a visible impact on both business outcomes and people’s lives. You’ll also be supported to grow your own career while developing the leaders and teams around you. 

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. 

You are an accomplished manufacturing leader with a strong track record of delivering results in complex, highly regulated environments. You combine operational excellence with transformation capability, and you know how to lead large teams, influence across departments, and create the conditions for sustained performance. 

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 lead and develop people managers, building strong, engaged, and capable teams 

• Strong problem-solving and decision-making capability in complex operational environments 

• Ability to influence and collaborate effectively across department s and senior stakeholder groups 

• Demonstrated experience leading through change, ambiguity, and transformation