General Manager
Beresfield, New South Wales
Full-time, Permanent
Please note that this role requires security checks.
The Role:
The General Manager leads the overall performance of Cowan Manufacturing, ensuring the safe, efficient, and consistent delivery of production and commercial objectives. Through visible leadership, they drive growth, operational excellence, and a high-performing culture where safety and continuous improvement are at the heart of everything we do.
What you'll be doing:
- Lead manufacturing operations to deliver production targets safely, efficiently, and to the highest quality standards.
- Drive commercial growth by identifying and delivering new business opportunities that support revenue and profitability.
- Champion a strong safety culture, ensuring compliance with WHS requirements and promoting proactive risk management.
- Develop and deliver business strategies that align with organisational goals and drive measurable results.
- Inspire and lead a high-performing team, fostering accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
- Manage budgets and financial performance to achieve business targets and maximise value.
- Improve productivity and operational efficiency through innovation and process improvement initiatives.
- Build strong relationships with customers, stakeholders, and partners to support growth and customer satisfaction.
What we're looking for:
- Tertiary qualification in Project Management, Business Management, or equivalent industry experience.
- Strong knowledge of fabrication and manufacturing operations, including welding, machining, assembly, production planning, and process optimisation.
- Proven ability to drive production performance, operational efficiency, and continuous improvement in a manufacturing environment.
- Sound commercial acumen, including contract management, cost estimation, project delivery, and profitability.
- Strong financial management skills, including budgeting, cost control, and capital expenditure management.
- Understanding of quality assurance, compliance requirements, and manufacturing standards.
- Demonstrated safety leadership with a commitment to fostering a proactive safety culture.
- Excellent leadership, communication, and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to build high-performing teams, drive accountability, and engage effectively at all levels.
- Trade or engineering background in fabrication and Lean Six Sigma qualification or experience would be desirable.
- Applicants must have existing Australian work rights.
- Any offer of employment will be subject to a preemployment health screen which includes a drug and alcohol screening.
- Veterans are encouraged to apply!
Why join us?
- Join a team of people who are passionate about their job.
- Opportunity to expand the role and obtain new skills and experience.
- Contribute to a growing and successful business with an exciting order book.
- Wellbeing programs – employee assistance program to support you and your immediate family with counselling and support as needed.
- Flexible working arrangements, including a condensed working week to support a half day every Friday.
- Generous paid community service leave to support your local community or serve as a defence reservist.
- Weekly fruit baskets to keep hunger at bay on busy days.
- Free on-site parking.
- Novated car leasing options available.
- Paid Parental Leave Scheme
About Us:
James Fisher is a global engineering services company operating across Energy, Defence, and Maritime Transport. With a strong heritage in maritime operations, we now deliver innovative solutions in challenging environments. Our One James Fisher strategy is focused on building a unified, sustainable business within the Blue Economy, driving progress through technology, expertise, and collaboration.
Visit our website at: Home | James Fisher and Sons plc
For more information about our values and behaviours, follow the link: About us | James Fisher and Sons plc
James Fisher Defence (JFD), part of the James Fisher Group, is a global leader in underwater capability, delivering cutting-edge diving, submarine rescue, and hyperbaric solutions to both commercial and defence markets. Operating worldwide, JFD is the foremost provider of submarine rescue services and a trusted name in submarine escape training. We’re also at the forefront of hyperbaric rescue innovation and a leading supplier of advanced diving equipment and saturation systems across the industry. Explore more about JFD
If this sounds like the ideal next step in your career, then click ‘apply’ now!
Due to the volume of applications, we receive for our vacancies, on occasion applications may close before the deadline, so please apply early to avoid disappointment.
At James Fisher and Sons, we are committed to taking positive action on diversity and strongly encourage applications from candidates of all backgrounds. We are proud to be a Disability Confident employer and recognise that our success is driven by the talent and diversity of our workforce.