People & Culture Manager, Confidential

An established, private-equity-backed Australian manufacturing business supplying products to residential builders across the country. With operations across multiple locations, the business is investing in its people capability as it navigates growth and change.

About the role

An opportunity has arisen for an experienced People & Culture Manager to join an established Australian manufacturing business during a period of change and development. Reporting to the senior People & Culture leader, you’ll partner with executives and operational managers to deliver practical HR solutions, support organisational change and strengthen people practices. You’ll lead one direct report and work alongside specialist colleagues across the broader P&C team.

What you’ll do

• Trusted advice to leaders: Provide senior leaders and site managers with reliable, commercially minded HR advice.
• Employee relations: Manage complex ER matters, including investigations, performance and disciplinary processes.
• Industrial relations: Support IR matters, including enterprise agreement considerations and workplace change.
• Restructures and organisational design: Partner with leaders on restructures, organisational design and change management.
• Leadership capability: Coach managers to build leadership capability and consistent people practices.
• Recruitment and workforce planning: Oversee recruitment activity and workforce planning with the relevant team member.
• Continuous improvement: Help improve HR processes and roll out people initiatives across sites.

About you

You’re an experienced senior HR Business Partner or People & Culture Manager with strong hands-on generalist capability and a track record of building trusted, long-term relationships. You’ll bring:

• A sound knowledge of Australian employment law
• Depth in ER/IR, including investigations, performance management and workplace change
• Experience in manufacturing, industrial or other operational, multi-site environments (highly valued)
• The confidence to challenge and influence executives
• A pragmatic approach and comfort working both strategically and operationally
• Experience guiding or managing a small team (advantageous)

How we engage

This is a permanent, full-time position based in Melbourne’s eastern suburbs (Bayswater area). It’s hybrid, with a regular presence in the office, and you’ll need to travel to operational sites. The package is a $170,000 base salary plus superannuation and bonus eligibility. Hybrid arrangements, site travel and bonus terms can be discussed during the recruitment process.

Why join us

Join an established Australian business at an important stage of its evolution. This newly created position is a chance to shape people practices, work closely with senior decision-makers and contribute to meaningful transformation across a complex operational environment. You’ll have room to make a visible impact, backed by a broader specialist P&C team.

How to apply

Please apply with your current CV through this listing. Brooks People Advisory will manage all applications confidentially. For a confidential discussion or questions about the role, contact Brylee Brooks at brylee@brookspeopleadvisory.com.au or 0486 327 033.

Applications close 9 November 2026.