- Modern Plant continuously being upgrade
- Reports To: General Manager - Manufacturing
- Position Type: Full-time, Permanent
About Us Freighter Group is a proud leader in Australian manufacturing, dedicated to building high-quality, dependable transport equipment. Our expansive manufacturing facility in Wendouree (Ballarat) is the engine room of our operations. As we continue to innovate and optimise our production capabilities, we are seeking an experienced, forward-thinking
Maintenance Manager to lead our site maintenance team and keep our facility running at peak performance.
The Role
As the Maintenance Manager, you will take full operational and strategic ownership of plant asset reliability, building services, and equipment uptime. Leading a dedicated, multi-skilled team of about t
rade and engineering professionals, you will foster a culture of safety, continuous improvement, and technical excellence.
This is a hands-on leadership role that balances daily operational support with long-term preventative maintenance scheduling, capital expenditure (CapEx) projects, and modern manufacturing practices.
Key Responsibilities
- Leadership & Culture: Manage, mentor, and develop a team of 10 trade and engineering staff (including fitters, electricians, and technicians), ensuring high engagement and a proactive approach to problem-solving.
- Asset Reliability: Develop, implement, and optimise robust preventative and predictive maintenance schedules to minimise downtime across the plant.
- Safety & Compliance: Ensure all maintenance activities strict adhere to OHS regulations, company policies, and safe systems of work.
- Project Management: Oversee site engineering projects, machinery upgrades, and installations from scope through to commissioning.
- Budgeting & Cost Control: Manage the maintenance department budget, including spare parts inventory, contractor management, and repair costs.
- Continuous Improvement: Utilise lean manufacturing principles to identify root causes of equipment failure and implement sustainable engineering solutions.
About You
To be successful in this role, you will be a resilient leader who thrives in a fast-paced, heavy manufacturing environment. You will possess:
- Proven Experience: A strong track record as a Maintenance Manager, Engineering Manager, or Maintenance Supervisor within a large-scale manufacturing or heavy industrial site.
- Trade or Engineering Qualifications: A relevant mechanical/electrical trade background or a tertiary qualification in Engineering.
- People Management Skills: Demonstrated ability to lead, coach, and build capability within a diverse technical team.
- Systems Savvy: Experience working with Computerised Maintenance Management Systems (CMMS) to drive data-led decisions.
- Strong Communication: The ability to collaborate effectively across departments, from floor staff to senior executive leadership.
What We Offer
- A competitive salary package commensurate with experience.
- The opportunity to lead a critical team in a major, state-of-the-art regional manufacturing hub.
- A supportive executive team committed to continuous site investment and modern engineering practices.
- Secure, long-term career stability within an iconic Australian industry leader.
To Apply
If you are a driven maintenance leader ready to make an impact on our Wendouree operations, please submit your updated resume and a cover letter detailing your suitability for the role.
