Operations & Technical Manager

About the Role

We are seeking a highly qualified Operations & Technical Manager to lead our entire business operations — spanning project delivery, administration, sales, and design. This is a critical senior role for someone with a strong engineering foundation and deep refrigeration expertise who can bridge the technical and commercial sides of the business. You will be the operational backbone of the company, ensuring every department functions cohesively and every project is delivered to the highest standard.

Key Responsibilities

Overall Operations Leadership

Oversee and align all operational functions across the business — project delivery, administration, sales, and design

Establish and enforce operational policies, workflows, and performance standards across departments

Report directly to the Director on business performance, risk, capacity, and strategic priorities

Drive continuous improvement across all functions, identifying inefficiencies and implementing solutions

Manage resource planning, budgets, and forecasting across the operation

Technical Authority — Refrigeration & Fitout

Serve as the principal technical expert on refrigeration systems, coldrooms, shelving, and turnkey fitout solutions

Review and approve technical designs, engineering drawings, specifications, and BOMs before project commencement

Provide technical direction to the design team, ensuring solutions are compliant, buildable, and cost-effective

Lead value engineering initiatives and resolve complex technical challenges on live projects

Ensure all refrigeration works comply with relevant Standards.

Support the sales team with technical scoping, client presentations, and tender submissions

Sales Team Oversight

Work closely with the sales team to ensure proposals are technically sound, accurately costed, and aligned with delivery capacity

Review and approve quotes and tenders before submission

Support business development by identifying opportunities to expand service offerings and client relationships

Ensure a smooth handover from sales to delivery for every won project

Design Team Oversight

Manage and mentor the design team, setting clear briefs, deadlines, and quality expectations

Ensure design outputs meet client requirements, technical standards, and project budgets

Coordinate design milestones with project delivery schedules

Administration Oversight

Oversee administrative operations including procurement, scheduling, document control, and compliance records

Ensure the business maintains accurate project documentation, contracts, and WHS records

Work with administration staff to streamline processes and support the broader team

People Leadership

Lead, develop, and performance-manage a cross-functional team across operations, admin, sales, and design

Build a culture of technical excellence, accountability, and client focus

Act as a senior escalation point for clients, subcontractors, and staff

Qualifications & Experience

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Refrigeration Engineering, or a related discipline — mandatory; Master's degree highly regarded

Minimum 8–10 years' experience in refrigeration, coldroom, or shopfitting sectors, with demonstrated progression into management

Deep technical knowledge of commercial refrigeration systems, coldroom construction, and retail fitout

Proven experience leading multi-disciplinary teams across operations, sales, and/or design

Strong commercial acumen — able to read P&Ls, manage budgets, and understand project margins

Excellent communication skills — credible with engineers, tradespeople, clients, and executives alike

Proficient in project management tools, CAD review, and Microsoft Office suite

Why Join Us

Broad, high-impact leadership role with full operational authority

Diverse project pipeline across retail, supermarket, and commercial fitout sectors

Direct partnership with the Director to shape the future of the business

Competitive remun