GEOFF SCANES
Cooroy ,QLD
Summary
Self-Motivated Senior Operations and Engineering leader with over 30 years of experience in industrial baking, FMCG, and food manufacturing. Industrial Electrician background and Expertise in managing multi-site operations, executing capital projects, and ensuring maintenance and production team excellence across Australia and the South Pacific. Recognized for enhancing safety protocols, improving reliability, and successfully delivering complex projects in high-volume production settings. Holds A grade Trade Qualification as an Electrical Fitter Mechanic, capable of hands-on work in diverse manufacturing environments.
Overview
35
35
years of professional experience
Work History
Plant Operations Manager
Nutworks Macadamia Processing
Yandina, Australia
01.2020 - Current
Leading seasonal teams of over 30 staff in the 'Nut in Shell Receivals' and Cracking Processing Operations. including safety, maintenance, and capital works.
- Drive operational performance, reliability, and continuous improvement initiatives.
- Perform Electrical breakdowns and PLC programming as required.
- Manage Contract Labour
- Work closely with Safety, HR and QA Managers.
Project Management& Process Improvement Consultant
Industrial Baking & Food Manufacturing Services
Melbourne, Australia/Pacific
01.2018 - 01.2020
- Delivered installation and commissioning of industrial baking and processing equipment for major manufacturers and OEMs.
- Project managed overseas relocation and commissioning of a 2,000 loaves/hr automated baking line from Australia to Tonga, including six-month onsite leadership.
- Also did all electrical work for this project
- Australia/Pacific
Engineering Maintenance Project Manager
Davies Bakery Pty Ltd
Melbourne, Australia
01.2013 - 01.2017
- Led commissioning of multiple automated bread, muffin, crumpet, and pastry lines.
- Managed international relocation of a KAAK-DAUB bread line from the Netherlands.
- Supported new factory acquisition and acted as Interim Maintenance Manager as required.
- Australia/Netherlands
Industrial Electrical & Project Contractor
Scantec Electrical
, Australia/China
01.2004 - 01.2013
- Delivered PLC upgrades and project support for major FMCG clients.
- Project lead for installation of the first McDonald's hamburger bun line in Wuhan, China.
- Australia/China
State Engineering Manager (QLD)
Goodman Fielder
, Australia / New Zealand
01.1999 - 01.2004
- Oversaw engineering operations across 7 baking facilities statewide.
- Managed R&M budgets, preventive maintenance systems, reliability KPIs, and remote site support.
- Australia / New Zealand
Electrical Trade Educator
Australian Volunteers International
, Tonga
01.1997 - 01.1999
- Tonga
Maintenance Manager / Electrical Supervisor
Goodman Fielder
, Sydney
01.1991 - 01.1997
- Progressed from Shift Electrician to senior leadership roles.
- Led site maintenance teams, projects, and implementation of preventive maintenance programs.
- Australia
Education
High School Diploma -
Cumberland High
Skills
- Operations Leadership
- Food & FMCG Manufacturing
- Capital Projects & Commissioning
- Engineering & Maintenance Management
- Safety & Compliance
- Equipment Reliability
- Process improvement
- Team leadership
- Plant Relocations
- Budget & KPI Management
- PLC & Electrical Systems
- Cost control
- Industrial Electrical tradesman
- Quality assurance
- Contract negotiation
- Effective communication
- Strategic planning
- Conflict resolution
Timeline
Plant Operations Manager
Nutworks Macadamia Processing
01.2020 - Current
Project Management& Process Improvement Consultant
Industrial Baking & Food Manufacturing Services
01.2018 - 01.2020
Engineering Maintenance Project Manager
Davies Bakery Pty Ltd
01.2013 - 01.2017
Industrial Electrical & Project Contractor
Scantec Electrical
01.2004 - 01.2013
State Engineering Manager (QLD)
Goodman Fielder
01.1999 - 01.2004
Electrical Trade Educator
Australian Volunteers International
01.1997 - 01.1999
Maintenance Manager / Electrical Supervisor
Goodman Fielder
01.1991 - 01.1997
High School Diploma -
Cumberland High