Sugar Australia is looking for a Shift Team Leader to join our team at Racecourse Refinery on a permanent full-time basis.
Reporting to the Production Manager, this role is responsible for leading day-to-day shift operations and supporting a team of Operators to deliver safe, efficient, and reliable production outcomes.
You’ll be hands-on in coordinating work across your shift — working closely with maintenance, quality, and production teams to keep operations running smoothly. This role suits someone who enjoys leading from the front, working in a fast-paced environment, and supporting people to do their best work.
This role is a 12-hour rotating shift roster including weekends that rotates every 4 weeks.
About the Racecourse site
Our Racecourse Refinery plays a key role in producing refined sugar for both domestic and export markets. The site operates a range of industrial plant and equipment and works closely with our Mackay Port operations to support the full production and distribution process.
The sweet things you’ll be involved in
* Leading and supporting a team of Operators across shift activities
* Coordinating daily production tasks in line with the production plan
* Assessing the safety of the work site and ensuring that work permits are completed
* Monitoring plant performance and responding to operational issues
* Working closely with maintenance teams to resolve breakdowns and minimise downtime
* Supporting safe work practices and ensuring compliance with site procedures
* Conducting safety checks, audits, and incident follow-up activities
* Managing shift handovers and ensuring clear communication across teams
* Supporting quality standards and responding to any product or process issues
* Identifying opportunities to improve efficiency, reduce waste, and support better outcomes
* Participating in improvement initiatives and site projects where required
What we’re looking for
We’re looking for someone who is practical, reliable, and confident leading a team in an industrial environment. You will bring:
* Minimum 5 years’ experience in the Sugar Industry or an industrial environment (highly desirable)
* Previous experience in a supervisory or team leadership role (highly desirable)
* Tertiary qualification in Chemical, Mechanical or Process Engineering, or Trade qualifications (desirable)
* Strong focus on safety and understanding of safe work practices
* Good problem-solving skills with the ability to stay calm under pressure
* Ability to coordinate tasks and manage competing priorities across a shift
* Comfortable working closely with different teams including maintenance and production
* Clear communication skills and a supportive approach to leadership
About Sugar Australia
Sugar Australia has been a trusted name in Australian manufacturing for over 170 years and is a leading producer of sugar and ingredient solutions across retail, foodservice and industrial markets.
We operate refineries, packing facilities, bulk storage terminals and distribution sites across Australia, supporting some of the country’s largest food and beverage brands alongside our well-known CSR Sugar retail products found in supermarkets nationwide.
With a strong operational footprint and manufacturing heritage, our teams play an important role in safely producing and moving essential products used in homes and businesses every day.
At Sugar Australia, our values of integrity, excellence, passion, innovation, teamwork and safety underpin the way we work and support one another across the business. We’re committed to creating an environment that supports strong operational performance, continuous improvement and ongoing people development.
What we offer
* Competitive salary and benefits package and exclusive corporate discounts
* Health and wellbeing programs, regular social events, and employee recognition initiatives
* Ongoing learning and career development opportunities
* A friendly and collaborative culture, with a strong focus on our people and our customers
* Access to our product range – perfect for those with a passion for baking
We are an equal opportunity employer and encourage applications from all backgrounds, identities and experiences.
Interested?
If you’re keen to step into a hands-on leadership role and be part of a supportive and experienced team, we’d love to hear from you.
Apply today and be part of something sweet.
Job Details
Reference #
52402
Posted on
22 May 2026
Closes on
19 June 2026 17:00
Location(s)
Mackay Racecourse
Expertise
Production
Job level(s)
Management
Work type(s)
Permanent
More details (document)
Business unit
Sugar Australia