Standards and Products Manager

Who are we?

We’re here to help people live well and create a better and more sustainable future. We support healthy and liveable communities by delivering water, sewerage and recycled water services to 1.77 million people who rely on us every day and every night. At South East Water, we innovate with purpose and act with care to deliver healthy water for life. Fresh thinking and collaboration are at the heart of our organisation. We are constantly learning, embracing the challenges of today and excited by the opportunities that tomorrow will bring.  

The role

South East Water’s Liveable Water Solutions (LWS) team oversees the design, construction, and maintenance of water supply, sewage and recycled water infrastructure assets.  

The Standards & Products Manager within LWS Engineering & Technology branch plays a pivotal role in ensuring compliance and operational excellence across our water operations and capital delivery projects. Your technical leadership will shape engineering and product standards that ensure safety, productivity, and quality outcomes. 

Key responsibilities include: 

• Manage a $200k/annum standards program, ensuring alignment with organizational strategy
• Establish KPIs for the standards program to drive performance and efficiency
• Accountable for the SEW Standards program including, but not limited to technical standards, procedures, approved products list, dispensations, specification templates and relevant governance frameworks  
• Prepare the annual standards business case and secure approvals
• Lead the Technical Standards Committee (TSC) including agenda preparation, minute distribution, and performance reporting and ensuring the Technical Standards Committee achieves its Terms of Reference
• Collaborate with Engineering & Design teams on Design Reviews and Engineering Services Partnership (ESP)
• Engage with MRWA & WSAA, managing the MRWA Portal (updates, product lists, standards)
• Foster a standards-driven culture within the organisation
• Establish a technical working group for appraisal of products within the Product Lifecycle Management framework, with an initial focus on obsolescence management strategies
• Technical Leadership & Support - act as backup for Senior Engineers and Engineering & Design Manager when required
• Create and review technical drawings and specifications as required
• Ensure health and safety risks arising from design throughout asset life cycle are eliminated or minimised
• Be fully accountable on all Standards & Products (civil, mechanical, electrical, etc.) 

Who are you?

You bring deep technical expertise and strong leadership, along with:  

• A degree in Civil or Structural Engineering (Mechanical Engineers with extensive Standards experience will also be considered)  
• 10+ years in a similar role  
• Chartered Professional Engineer (CPEng) accreditation (mandatory)  
• Ability to practice as a Registered Professional Engineer in Victoria (mandatory)  
• Strong communication and relationship-building skills  
• Proven ability to resolve complex issues effectively  
• Excellent judgment, problem-solving, and decision-making abilities  
• Ability to influence, inspire, and engage others  

You also bring advanced knowledge of:  

• Safety in Design principles  
• Project management methodologies  
• OH&S Acts, Regulations and Codes of Practice  
• Contract documentation and tendering processes  
• MRWA and WSAA standards and approved products 

What's in it for you?

Working at South East Water means you can enjoy a wealth of benefits, starting with the chance to be part of an organisation deeply committed to environmental initiatives and sustainability; one who has been recognised as one of the top 101 Workplaces for Women in Australia by Work180 for the past two consecutive years.   

South East Water cultivates a dynamic culture that emphasises collaboration and strong work ethics, supported by career-focused learning and development opportunities. 

As a SEW employee, you can enjoy the following offerings from our benefits package: 

• Access to My Fitness Passport, an Employee Assistance Program (EAP), annual flu shots, and health checks.  
• Work-life balance with flexible working arrangements, including hybrid work options and leave purchasing.
• Life insurance and salary continuance. 
• 15 weeks paid parental leave and paid superannuation on eligible portions of unpaid parental leave. 
• Additional leave offerings, such as cultural and ceremonial leave and study leave.  
• Head office with modern facilities and panoramic beachfront views, a separate parents' room, a prayer and meditation room, an onsite cafe, and free parking. 
• Opportunity to be part of great initiatives involving the local community  

We're for everyone

Our people are as diverse as the communities we serve. It makes us better learners, thinkers and collaborators, helping create better outcomes for our customers.  

We are deeply committed to Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging, and we encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, LGBTIQ+ individuals, people with disability and jobseekers of all ages and cultures. We aim to provide an inclusive, accessible workplace where everyone is welcome, safe, and celebrated. If you need any help with the application process or would like to discuss your reasonable adjustments during interviews, please reach out to our Talent team at careers@southeastwater.com.au. 

Keen to make an impact?

Click here to check out the position description. We're accepting applications for this exciting opportunity until Friday 20 June 2025! 

To be considered for this opportunity, you must hold unrestricted working rights for the period of employment at the time of application.  Successful candidates will also be required to undergo a number of pre-employment checks, including a police records check 

 
As part of a team of engineers and technicians, central to this role are responsibilities for 24/7 safe operation to provide support and minimise disruption of services to customers and as well as ensuring that public health and the environment are not put at risk. This includes participation in a rostered after-hours duty team, emergency response, and incident support as required. 

Visit southeastwater.com.au to learn more about us and how we serve our customers.