Manufacturing Director

About Us:Kite Magnetics, founded in 2022 and headquartered in Melbourne, Australia, is an advanced materials engineering and manufacturing company. Our innovative and patented technology, Aeroperm, a nanocrystalline magnetic material developed at Monash University, delivers unparalleled efficiency in electric motors and generators. Designed for weight-sensitive and energy-intensive applications, Aeroperm significantly reduces the total cost of ownership while enhancing system performance. As industry leaders, we are committed to transforming global energy efficiency through cutting-edge materials science.Position Overview:As we expand into new R&D and pilot manufacturing premises, we seek a dynamic, experienced, and highly skilled Manufacturing Director to build a first-class manufacturing team and lead our advanced manufacturing operations, planning, verifying, installing, commissioning, validating, and scaling production processes, driving process improvements, and ensuring that capability, capacity, and modular scalability targets are validated for subsequent volume manufacturing operations.Targeting Commencement in January/February 2025Reporting to: Head of OperationsKey Responsibilities:1. Manufacturing Strategy and Leadership: Develop and implement a comprehensive manufacturing strategy aligned with the company's goals and growth objectives. Oversee manufacturing operations to ensure efficiency, high quality, and cost-effective production. Provide strategic leadership, fostering a culture of continuous improvement, innovation, and operational excellence within the manufacturing team. 2. Process Innovation and Optimisation: Lead the development of pilot-scale manufacturing processes to verify and validate capacity and capability for high-volume production. Drive innovation by leveraging advanced manufacturing technologies, digital twin methodologies, and data collection systems to optimise efficiency, enhance continuous improvement efforts, build internal expertise, and create valuable intellectual property. Collaborate with R&D teams to develop and transition new materials and products from development to volume manufacturing. Identify and implement process improvements to boost production efficiency, reduce costs, and elevate product quality. 3. Capital Equipment and Manufacturing Systems Management: Oversee the entire life cycle of capital equipment, including scope definition, identification, installation, commissioning, maintenance, and end-of-life activities, ensuring optimal performance and reliability. Lead facility initiatives in collaboration with the Facilities Management team to meet production goals. Ensure compliance with safety, quality, and environmental regulations across all manufacturing operations. Manage and optimise manufacturing systems to integrate processes, equipment, and technology, maximising efficiency and minimising downtime. 4. Team Leadership and Development: Build, mentor, and lead high-performing teams in manufacturing, manufacturing engineering, and maintenance & reliability, promoting a collaborative and results-driven work environment. Identify skill gaps and provide training and development opportunities to enhance team capabilities. Implement job rotations to maintain engagement, broaden skill sets, and ensure operational continuity. Set SMART performance targets and offer regular feedback and coaching to team members. 5. Safety and Risk Management: Work closely with the HSE (Health, Safety, and Environment) Director to develop, implement, and oversee comprehensive safety programs that ensure a safe working environment across all manufacturing operations. Collaborate on regular safety audits and risk assessments to identify potential hazards, ensuring full compliance with all safety regulations and standards. Promote a culture of safety awareness and continuous improvement, providing training and resources in partnership with the HSE Director to empower employees to prioritize safety in all aspects of their work. 6. Operational and Financial Performance: Develop and manage manufacturing budgets to ensure cost control and financial efficiency. Establish and track key performance indicators to measure and improve manufacturing performance. Prepare and present regular reports on manufacturing activities, highlighting achievements, challenges, and areas for improvement. 7. Production Planning: Oversee production planning and scheduling to meet customer demand while optimising resource utilisation. Collaborate with the Supply Chain Director to ensure the timely procurement of materials and components necessary for production. 8. Quality Assurance and Compliance: Support the development and maintenance of robust quality assurance processes, including Advanced Product Quality Planning requirements to support the Production Part Approval Process. Ensure all manufacturing operations adhere to industry standards and regulatory requirements. 9. Growth and Expansion: Play a key role in planning and executing the expansion of Kite Magnetics' manufacturing capabilities, including the establishment of local and international volume production facilities. Support the company's growth into new markets and applications, ensuring manufacturing readiness to meet demand. RequirementsQualifications: Bachelor's degree in Manufacturing Engineering, Industrial Engineering, or a related field. Master's degree in Engineering, Business Administration, a related discipline or equivalent experience highly regarded. Experience: Proven experience (10+ years) in manufacturing leadership roles, preferably within the materials engineering, automotive, aerospace, or defence sectors. Strong track record of developing and executing manufacturing strategies that drive operational excellence and business growth. Extensive experience in process optimisation, lean manufacturing, continuous improvement methodologies, high-speed automated systems, and web handling. Experience managing large-scale manufacturing operations. Demonstrated success in leading and developing high-performing teams. Experience with APQP (Advanced Product Quality Planning) processes highly regarded. Personal Attributes: Honest, curious, inclusive, collaborative, transparent, and responsible. Excellent negotiation, communication, and interpersonal skills. Analytical mindset with the ability to interpret data and make informed decisions. Strong leadership, team management, and mentoring skills. Ability to work in a fast-paced, dynamic start-up environment, managing multiple projects simultaneously. Benefits Competitive salary - $150,000 to $170,000 p/a plus superannuation Flexible Working Hours Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) Collaborative and inclusive work environment Kite Magnetics is an equal-opportunity and equal-outcome employer. We celebrate you and the diversity you bring and are committed to creating an inclusive and welcoming environment for all employees, suppliers, and customers.