Shift Manager (Afternoon Shift)

📍 Cleveland, QLD 4163 | Transitioning to Stapylton, QLD 4207 from December/January 2026/2027 

🕐 Full-time | Afternoon Shift 

👥 Reports to: Operations Manager – QLD

Lead the shift. Drive performance. Build a high-performing team.

Network Steel is looking for an experienced Shift Manager to lead our afternoon shift operations.

This is a hands-on leadership role for someone who enjoys being on the factory floor, working closely with their team and taking ownership of people, safety, production, quality and delivery outcomes.

Why join Network Steel?

You’ll be joining a growing Australian business where your leadership will have a direct impact on our people and operational performance.

What’s in it for you?

• Birthday leave – paid day off for your birthday following successful completion of probationary period
• Work in a business that encourages innovation and prioritises learning and development
• Regular team events – including quarterly BBQs and end-of-year parties
• Monthly peer-nominated staff recognition program

This is an opportunity to:

• Lead a key shift within our Queensland operations
• Make a genuine impact on safety, productivity and team performance
• Lead and develop a diverse operational team
• Work closely with experienced operational leaders
• Play an important role in our transition to Stapylton
• Help shape the way our future operation works

About the role

Reporting to the Operations Manager – QLD, you’ll be responsible for the safe, efficient and coordinated delivery of the entire afternoon operation.

You’ll lead the overall afternoon-shift team, including Team Leaders and employees across the operation. You’ll set clear priorities, allocate resources, manage performance and ensure the team has the support and direction needed to deliver safely and effectively.

This is not a role that sits behind a desk. You’ll be visible and active across the operation, building strong relationships with your team, removing roadblocks and providing practical support when required.

Key responsibilities

• Lead the overall afternoon shift, setting clear priorities and expectations
• Lead, coach and develop Team Leaders and employees across the shift
• Drive a strong culture of safety, accountability, quality and performance
• Allocate labour and resources to meet production and delivery priorities
• Monitor production, identify issues early and implement practical solutions
• Manage attendance, overtime, labour requirements and day-to-day workforce needs
• Work closely with Planning, Sales, Transport, Operations and Safety teams
• Maintain accurate shift handovers, production updates and operational records
• Identify opportunities to improve productivity, reduce downtime, scrap and rework
• Support the team through the transition to Stapylton and future operating model

This is a hands-on leadership role

We’re looking for a leader who is comfortable getting involved when the operation needs support.

Where appropriately licensed and competent, you’ll operate a forklift and assist with material movement or practical floor-based tasks when required.

The key is knowing when to get involved and when to step back and lead — ensuring the shift always has strong leadership, decision-making and safety oversight.

What we’re looking for

You’ll bring demonstrated leadership or management experience in a manufacturing, fabrication, engineering or similar operational environment.

Ideally, you’ll have:

• Strong experience leading frontline teams in a production environment
• A practical understanding of production flow, labour allocation, safety and quality
• The ability to lead people, set clear expectations and hold others accountable
• Strong problem-solving and decision-making skills
• Experience coaching employees and building team capability
• The ability to manage competing priorities in a fast-paced operational environment
• The ability to interpret production schedules, drawings and work instructions
• Good computer and administration skills, including email, spreadsheets and ERP or production systems
• A current High Risk Work Licence – LF Forklift, with demonstrated safe operating competence
• The ability and willingness to work on our afternoon-shift
• A hands-on, practical approach to leadership

Experience in steel fabrication, manufacturing, structural steel processing or similar operational environments will be highly regarded. Experience supporting a site relocation or major operational change will also be advantageous.

If you’re an experienced operational leader who enjoys being close to the action, knows how to get the best from people and takes ownership of results, we’d love to hear from you.

Apply now with your resume and tell us why you’re the right person to lead our afternoon shift.