Lead. Build Capability. Drive Dependability.
We're Thomas Scaffolding, a fast-growing, family-owned construction services business with a big ambition: to be the most dependable trade company in Australia, while building lasting futures for the people who make it possible.
We are looking for an Operations Manager who can balance heart and discipline. A leader who develops people, builds capability, and strengthens culture, while also lifting performance through smart operational systems, analytics, and continuous improvement.
This role is for a leader who knows that dependability is built by people, proven in data, and sustained by great systems. Essential construction industry experience is required for this position.
What You'll Lead and Deliver
1. People Leadership & Team Capability
* Coach, mentor, and develop Area Supervisors and frontline leaders to lift capability, consistency, and accountability across Tamworth, Forster, and Coffs Harbour.
* Build a high-performance culture centred on safety, customer experience, and dependable delivery.
* Create growth pathways for key operational roles and partner with People & Performance to embed structured development pathways.
* Lead change with clarity, aligning teams to new systems, processes, and expectations.
* Strengthen communication rhythms between branches, supervisors, and leadership so teams stay aligned, supported, and informed.
2. Operational Excellence Through Data, Systems & Process
* Use operational data (labour productivity, margin performance, transport efficiency, safety metrics) to diagnose bottlenecks and guide weekly decision-making.
* Translate insights into action ensuring improvements are practical, disciplined, and sustainable.
* Lead operational planning: resource allocation, labour forecasting, transport utilisation, and asset deployment across multiple sites.
* Own safety and compliance performance, ensuring systems, audits, and behaviours meet or exceed standards.
* Partner with Finance and Sales to align operational delivery with commercial targets and customer expectations.
* Embed operational systems and processes that reduce variability, improve efficiency, and make great results repeatable.
* Optimise workflows through modern technology, digital tools, and structured reporting giving teams the visibility they need to deliver consistently.
Why This Role Matters
Our ability to deliver dependable, high-quality work at scale relies on two things:
the strength of our people and the strength of our operations.
You'll be the driver of that ensuring every branch runs safely, every promise is delivered, and every person grows stronger in the process.
Why Join Thomas Scaffolding
* Balanced leadership: A role intentionally designed to combine people development with operational analytics.
* Real autonomy: Influence how operations run across three branches with fewer layers and fast decisions.
* Growth & innovation: A business committed to modernising systems, data, and processes.
* Supportive leadership: Work closely with the CEO, Sales, Safety, and People & Performance teams.
* Lifestyle: Live and lead on the Mid North Coast with great communities, beaches and space.
What You Bring
* Proven leadership of multi-site operational teams (50–200 people).
* Management experience with teams of 25+ people is required.
* Real strength in developing people: coaching, accountability, and succession planning.
* Demonstrated ability to translate data and analytics into operational action.
* Experience optimising workflows, margins, safety, and compliance.
* Strong commercial acumen with confidence in labour, hire, and transport cost structures.
* Skilled in implementing systems, processes, and reporting frameworks.
* Ability to align people, operations, and commercial outcomes without burning out teams.
* Integrity, resilience, and a solutions-focused mindset.
Ready to Build the Next Chapter?
If you're a people-first leader who thrives on driving results through others and want to be part of a business that's fast, grounded, and future-focused, we'd love to hear from you.