Job Description

Lead from the Front. Drive Safety. Deliver Excellence.

Challenger Services Group is a premier national provider of essential service solutions, spanning cleaning, security, hospitality, government, aged care, and education sectors. Operating across Australia with close to 1000 employees, we are unwavering in our commitment to excellence, safety, sustainability, and fostering enduring partnerships.

ABOUT THE ROLE:

This is an opportunity to take ownership of a critical operation within a major food manufacturing facility, leading a team of up to 50 employees and directly influencing safety, food quality and operational performance every day.

We are seeking an experienced, safety-focused and highly visible operational leader to oversee sanitation operations at a major food manufacturing facility in Rooty Hill.

This is not a desk-based management role. We are looking for a leader who is highly visible on the floor, leads by example and takes an active role in day-to-day operations. You will work closely with the sanitation team, verify safe work practices, coach employees in real time and ensure sanitation activities are completed safely, efficiently and to the highest food safety standards. You will also be responsible for driving a strong safety culture, enforcing rigorous Lockout/Tagout (LOTO) and machinery isolation procedures, maintaining compliance with food safety standards and ensuring the facility remains audit-ready at all times.

You will also act as the primary on-site liaison between the client and Challenger leadership, providing clear communication, strong operational oversight and proactive issue resolution.

WHAT YOU'LL DO

Safety Leadership

• Champion a safety-first culture across all sanitation activities. Investigate incidents, hazards and near misses, implementing corrective actions and driving continuous improvement.
• Ensure strict compliance with Lockout/Tagout (LOTO), machinery isolation, permit-to-work and site safety requirements.
• Conduct regular safety inspections, audits, risk assessments and workplace observations.
• Lead toolbox talks and champion training across your broader team.

Hands-On Leadership

• Maintain a strong and visible presence on the production floor, leading from the front and supporting the team during critical operational activities.
• Lead, coach and support a sanitation team of up to 50 employees across multiple shifts.
• Monitor sanitation activities to ensure work is completed safely, efficiently and to specification.
• Manage workforce planning, rostering and attendance.

Food Safety & Sanitation Operations

• Maintain compliance with HACCP, GMP, SQF and WHS requirements.
• Ensure all sanitation procedures are completed in accordance with approved standards and site requirements.
• Support internal and external audits and ensure the site remains audit ready.
• Monitor sanitation outcomes to eliminate contamination risks and protect product integrity.
• Oversee the cleaning and sanitation of complex food processing equipment and production environments.
• Minimise production downtime through effective planning and execution of sanitation activities.
• Monitor KPIs, labour utilisation, and operational performance metrics.

Stakeholder Management

• Act as the primary on-site liaison between the client and Challenger.
• Build strong working relationships with client representatives and key stakeholders.
• Provide timely and accurate operational, safety and compliance reporting.
• Escalate risks, issues and opportunities appropriately and professionally.

ABOUT YOU

To be successful in this role, you will bring:

• A proven track record leading sanitation, hygiene, industrial cleaning or manufacturing operations within a high-risk environment.
• Demonstrated experience implementing, enforcing and auditing Lockout/Tagout (LOTO) and machinery isolation procedures.
• Strong knowledge of workplace health and safety legislation, risk management and incident investigation.
• Experience managing large operational teams, ideally within a 24/7 or multi-shift environment.
• Sound understanding of HACCP, GMP, SQF and food safety requirements.
• A hands-on leadership style and willingness to spend the majority of your time in the operational environment.
• Knowledge in the use of commercial cleaning equipment and their applications.
• Demonstrated ability to lead, engage and develop frontline operational teams.
• The confidence to challenge unsafe behaviours and stop work when safety standards are not being met.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Strong organisational, problem-solving and continuous improvement capabilities.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel and operational workforce or compliance systems.
• Flexibility to work across varying shift patterns as required to support operational requirements.

Why Join Challenger?

• Competitive salary package, on-site parking and long-term career opportunities.
• Lead a high-profile operation within one of Australia's largest food manufacturing environments
• Join a growing national organisation with a strong reputation for service excellence.
• Enjoy genuine autonomy to lead your team and influence operational outcomes.
• Work alongside experienced leaders who value safety, accountability and continuous improvement.
• Be part of a business that genuinely invests in safety, leadership and operational excellence.
• Take advantage of real opportunities for promotion – we promote from within with a structured pathway to enable you to progress your career.

If you are an experienced operational leader who thrives in fast-paced manufacturing environments and is passionate about safety, people leadership and operational excellence, we encourage you to apply.

Challenger Services is an Equal Opportunities employer - candidates of an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander background are encouraged to apply.