technical & innovation manager.

• Directly influence critical outcomes like supply continuity, manufacturing efficiency, cost optimization, across multiple countries
• Lead innovation and commercialization projects across ANZ
• 12 Month Fixed Term Contract ; possible extension

The Role

A leading global organization is seeking a highly skilled and dynamic Senior Manager – Technical Operations & Innovation to drive technical execution, innovation, and operational excellence across Australia and New Zealand. This role is critical in supporting franchise operations, leading system-wide collaboration, and ensuring best-in-class technical and supply chain performance in a complex and fast-moving environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Technical Leadership: Lead technical execution and support across franchise units and bottling partners, ensuring alignment with corporate Quality, Safety & Environment (QSE) standards and operational goals. Apply strong expertise in risk management, root cause analysis, and continuous improvement to enhance plant performance and compliance.
• Strategic Project Execution: Drive the successful delivery of key projects including product and package commercialization, capacity expansion, and supply chain optimization. Utilize proven project management skills to ensure initiatives are completed on time, within scope, and on budget.
• Innovation and Productivity: Actively foster innovation in products, packaging, processes, and supply chain systems. Apply broad expertise in sustainability, food and beverage manufacturing, and specialized technologies (such as dairy, plant-based, coffee-tea, nectar & juice, and hard seltzer production) to drive continuous advancement.
• Operational Resilience: Develop and lead contingency plans and business continuity programs (BCPs) to manage risks and ensure supply chain resilience across the assigned geography.
• Cross-functional Collaboration: Engage with internal functions including Marketing, Procurement, Human Resources, Planning, and Legal to integrate technical initiatives into broader organizational goals. Drive commercial excellence through strong collaboration with supply chain, commercialization teams, and external bottling partners.
• Cost Optimization: Lead actions to optimize manufacturing costs and yields, enhancing overall system profitability through operational excellence methodologies and influencing best practices within bottling operations.
• System Networking and Communication: Build and leverage networks across internal teams, bottlers, suppliers, and corporate stakeholders to identify insights, share risks and opportunities, and accelerate decision-making across the Technical, Innovation, and Supply Chain community.
• Digital and Technical Literacy: Support the digital transformation of technical operations by integrating integrated management systems and promoting strong digital literacy within partner organizations.

About You

• Minimum of 7 years in similar roles in areas like QSE, Commercialization, Supply Chain, Technical Franchise Leadership, Research & Development, and Manufacturing (with a focus on food or beverage industries, including sensitive products and thermal processes).
• Strong technical background in manufacturing, quality, supply chain, or commercialization within food or beverage industries.
• Proven ability to lead complex projects and drive operational improvements.
• Skilled at influencing and negotiating across cross-functional teams and external partners
• Solid understanding of contingency planning, sustainability, and integrated management systems.
• Ability to foster innovation and continuous improvement in a highly matrix-ed environment.

Salary & Work Rights

• 160K - 170K+Super
• Australian Citizens and Permanent Residents only

Apply now or call Ahmad Saquib on 0428 751 002 for a further discussion regarding the role.

At Randstad, we are passionate about providing equal employment opportunities and embracing diversity to the benefit of all. We actively encourage applications from any background.