State Operations Manager NSW

Lead a Critical Healthcare Delivery Operation
 
At Smartways Logistics, we're not your typical transport company. We're a healthcare logistics provider delivering life-saving medical supplies nationally with precision and urgency. This is no ordinary logistics role. When someone's heart valve fails in an emergency room, we're the ones rushing critical supplies to save their life. Every minute matters. Smartways is in an expansion and enhancement phase of their business transformation journey, experiencing positive growth-oriented transformation.
 
Key Transformation Elements

• Service Expansion: Adding new services and capabilities to their healthcare logistics offerings
• Team Growth: Currently adding 20 new drivers in Sydney alone
• Geographic Expansion: Operating across multiple states with plans for further growth
• Acquisition Activity: In the process of acquiring another business that will increase their team size by approximately 20 people
• Continuous Improvement: Enhancing processes, technology, and service delivery models
• Client Base Growth: Onboarding new clients requiring adaptation of operations

About the Role
You'll lead our largest state operation NSW, managing a team of 120-150 people across four facilities in Sydney, Newcastle, and Canberra. Based primarily at our Macquarie Park headquarters (80% of your time), you'll have your own office while overseeing:

• A diverse team of drivers, supervisors, warehouse staff, and allocators
• Multiple facilities including our specialized surgical inspection centre
• Critical healthcare deliveries that can't be planned or predicted
• Complex logistics operations requiring constant problem-solving

What You'll Do

• Lead and develop a team of 120+ staff including independent contractor drivers
• Manage customer relationships with major medical, logistic companies, and hospitals
• Drive process improvements and technological advancements
• Oversee safety, service levels, productivity, and quality metrics
• Handle complex logistics planning across multiple facilities
• Balance day-to-day operations with continuous improvement initiatives
• Implement new structures and operational models
• Adapt quickly to changing business needs
• Scale teams effectively while maintaining engagement
• Balance day-to-day operations with strategic growth initiatives

What We're Looking For

• Experience leading large-scale logistics operations, ideally in healthcare or time-critical environments
• Strong people leadership skills with the ability to make tough decisions
• A problem-solver who can handle the unpredictable nature of emergency logistics
• Someone who values drivers as assets rather than commodities
• Ability to balance operational excellence with team engagement
• Experience managing multiple facilities and complex logistics networks
• A leader who can manage both BAU operations and implement changes
• Requirement for flexible thinking as the business will "think differently in three months' time"
• Managing rapid growth while maintaining service quality in a critical healthcare environment
• Integrating new team members and maintaining company culture during expansion

What Makes Us Different
We see our drivers as assets - almost like how a hospital CEO views doctors. We prioritize engagement and care for our team while delivering exceptional service in high-pressure situations.
Our operation isn't about predictable warehouse-to-customer deliveries. We handle thousands of emergency shipments daily from hundreds of different points to any hospital or medical facility in NSW.
 
What We Offer

• People leadership role in a growing, purpose-driven organisation ~ patient on the table is our customer
• Opportunity to make a genuine difference in healthcare outcomes
• Collaborative team environment with a focus on transforming to grow
• Competitive salary package

If you're ready for a logistics leadership role with real purpose and complexity, we want to hear from you.
Smartways Logistics - Delivering what matters, when it matters most.