Team Leader Oven - Afternoon Shift

Grain & Bake is one of Australia's leading manufacturers of toasted muesli, granola, and nutritional snack bars. Based at our 10,000sqm facility in Moorabbin Airport, Melbourne, we supply some of the country's best-known food brands. We're a female-founded, Australian-owned business with a BRC AA accredited site, and we're proud of the team that makes it happen every day.

About the role

We're looking for a driven, experienced Oven Team Leader to own the performance of our oven line on our Afternoon Shift 2:06pm - 10:00pm. This is a hands-on leadership role, running production from end to end: ingredients in, finished product out, with zero tolerance for unnecessary downtime.

Reporting to the Production Supervisor, you'll lead a shift team of oven operators, drive adherence to the production schedule, maintain rigorous quality and food safety standards, and actively work to reduce waste and improve yield. You set the standard for what great looks like on the oven line, and you hold the team to it.

Oven Team Leader Grain & Bake | Moorabbin Airport VIC 3194 | Full Time

About Grain & Bake

Grain & Bake is one of Australia's leading manufacturers of toasted muesli, granola, and nutritional snack bars. Based at our 10,000sqm facility in Moorabbin Airport, Melbourne, we supply some of the country's best-known food brands. We're a female-founded, Australian-owned business with a BRC AA accredited site, and we're proud of the team that makes it happen every day.

About the role

We're looking for a driven, experienced Oven Team Leader to own the performance of our oven line across every shift. This is a hands-on leadership role, running production from end to end: ingredients in, finished product out, with zero tolerance for unnecessary downtime.

Reporting to the Production Supervisor, you'll lead a shift team of oven operators, drive adherence to the production schedule, maintain rigorous quality and food safety standards, and actively work to reduce waste and improve yield. You set the standard for what great looks like on the oven line, and you hold the team to it.

What you'll be responsible for

Oven Line Performance

1. Drive continuous, uninterrupted oven line operation across the full shift, maximising throughput against the production schedule
2. Own line run rates and take immediate corrective action when output falls below target
3. Operate the oven end to end, including mixers, kettles, oven computer, and temperature controls
4. Ensure raw ingredients are staged and batched a minimum of 30 minutes before each run
5. Manage smooth end-of-shift handover with full line status communicated clearly

Machine Setup and Changeovers

1. Lead all setups and changeovers, including oven temperature profiles, belt speeds, depositor settings, and batch weights
2. Complete changeover checklists and verify all settings against the relevant SOP before each new run
3. Manage allergen changeovers in full accordance with the site allergen management plan
4. Document and report actual changeover times each shift

Waste Reduction

1. Actively drive waste reduction across ingredient usage, finished product, and rework
2. Monitor yield against expected output and investigate any variance
3. Report waste data accurately each shift and flag any material variance to the Production Supervisor

Quality Assurance and Food Safety

1. Perform and record all required QA checks throughout the shift against product specifications
2. Ensure dates, batch codes, and traceability documentation are correct for every run
3. Immediately escalate any quality deviation or product defect to the Production Supervisor and QA team
4. Ensure all oven operators comply with GMP, hygiene, and food safety procedures at all times

Team Leadership

1. Lead, direct, and hold accountable all oven team members to meet output, quality, and safety targets
2. Coach and train operators on oven operation, QA requirements, GMP, and safe work practices
3. Address performance issues or unsafe behaviour directly and promptly
4. Support the onboarding and upskilling of new oven operators

WHS and GMP

1. Enforce all WHS policies and safe work practices on the oven line
2. Champion a proactive, zero-compromise safety culture within the oven team
3. Maintain a clean, organised, and safe work area across the oven line at all times
4. Conduct end-of-shift cleaning and sign off before handover

Key OKRs you'll be measured against

1. DIFOT equal to or above 98% for all oven production orders each shift
2. Oven line waste at or below 8% of total throughput per shift
3. 100% of changeover checklists completed and signed off before production recommences
4. 100% of QA checks completed and recorded per shift
5. GMP and housekeeping score equal to or above 80% at all inspections
6. Zero lost-time injuries on the oven line
7. Zero food safety or quality non-conformances attributable to oven line operations
8. All schedule and quality variances escalated to the Production Supervisor within 30 minutes

What you'll need

Essential

1. Minimum 3 years experience as an oven operator or equivalent in a food manufacturing environment
2. Minimum 2 years experience in a team leader or leading hand role
3. Current forklift licence
4. Current driver's licence
5. Demonstrated ability to drive team performance and meet production output targets
6. Strong understanding of food safety, GMP, HACCP, and allergen management
7. Proven ability to perform and document QA checks and manage traceability
8. Competent in executing machine setups and changeovers to documented SOPs
9. Strong written and verbal communication skills in English

Desirable

1. Basic Microsoft Office proficiency
2. Exposure to continuous improvement or waste reduction initiatives
3. Experience in a BRC or HACCP-certified food manufacturing environment

About you

1. Driven, accountable, and focused on getting results every shift
2. High personal standards for quality, safety, and housekeeping
3. Strong initiative and the ability to motivate a team under pressure
4. Positive, patient, and solutions-focused mindset
5. Reliable, punctual, and professionally presented
6. Able to multitask and stay organised in a fast-paced environment

Our values

Quality Always | Learning and Innovation | Customers First | Integrity and Heart | One Team | Safety and Care