Manufacturing Support Roles You Can Offshore Today: A Practical Guide for Australian Businesses

The operating reality for a growing number of Australian manufacturers in 2025 and 2026 leaves little room for optimism about the local hiring path.

According to the ABS, total wages and salaries in manufacturing increased 5.7% in the year to March 2025, while gross operating profits in the sector declined 1.5% over the same period. Rising labour costs, falling margins and a persistent skills shortage are compressing the sector from three directions at once.

This guide presents a specific, role-by-role answer to the question Australian manufacturing operations managers and CEOs are actually asking: which support and administrative roles can we realistically offshore, what tasks transfer and what tools do offshore staff use?

One distinction up front: this article covers support, administrative and coordination roles, not production-line work, on-site quality inspection or physical manufacturing tasks. Those cannot be offshored.

The roles in this guide are office-based, digital and system-driven. They account for a substantial share of the headcount costs and talent pressures Australian manufacturers face.

In November 2025, the Australian Financial Reviewfeatured Twoconnect, naming founder Andrew Kukla, in the context of Australia’s talent shortage and the role of Philippine-based offshore staff for Australian businesses. That coverage reflects where the market is heading.

Why Australian Manufacturers are Under Cost and Staffing Pressure Right Now

Manufacturing contributes approximately $134.7 billion annually to the Australian economy and employs 870,000 Australians, representing around 5.9% of GDP. It is a sector of genuine economic weight and it’s being squeezed.

Metric	Figure	Source
Manufacturing wages and salaries (yr to Mar 2025)	↑ 5.7%	ABS, Business Indicators 2025
Manufacturing gross operating profits (same period)	↓ 1.5%	ABS, via OptiBPO (Nov 2025)
Manufacturing share of AU GDP (2025)	~5.9%	OptiBPO / World Bank 2025
Manufacturing employment	870,000 Australians	OptiBPO, ABS 2025
Occupations in national shortage	36% assessed (2023, current)	Jobs & Skills Australia
Super Guarantee from 1 July 2025	12%	ATO / AustralianSuper
Average AU recruitment cost (all-in)	~$19,000	Tala Offshore

Sources: ABS Business Indicators Australia (2025); ABS Australian Industry 2023–24; Jobs and Skills Australia, Occupation Shortage List (2023); ATO / AustralianSuper (Jul 2025); Tala Offshore

The wage pressure is structural. Annual wage growth has remained above 3% since late 2022, well above the long-run average of 2.4% per year, according to the Ai Group’s Wage Dynamics Factsheet (2025).

At 12% Super Guarantee from 1 July 2025, a mid-level manufacturing support hire at $65,000–$75,000 base salary now carries an additional $7,800–$9,000 per year in compulsory super contributions alone before recruitment fees, hardware, software or leave liability are factored in.

Jobs and Skills Australia’s 2025analysis confirms that 40% of professional roles are difficult to fill locally. For manufacturing businesses, this translates directly into open roles sitting unfilled for months, with the operational load redistributed to already-stretched staff and recruitment fees adding $10,000–$19,000 per hire on top.

The result is a familiar pattern for any manufacturer trying to grow: the capacity to take on more work exists, but the ability to staff the support functions that enable it, such as procurement coordination, inventory control, quality documentation and ERP administration, does not.

The answer that an increasing number of Australian manufacturers are finding is offshore manufacturing support staffing.

However, not every manufacturing role transfers offshore.

Production line work, on-site quality inspection, warehouse operations and any role requiring physical presence cannot be offshored. That distinction is important to establish clearly, and we’re not suggesting you move your production floor to Manila.

What does transfer offshore, effectively and reliably, is a substantial portion of the administrative, coordination and data management work that runs behind manufacturing operations.

These roles are office-based, system-driven and deliverable entirely via a laptop and a secure remote connection.

The eight role categories below represent the most common and best-proven starting points for manufacturing back-office outsourcing among Australian businesses.

8 Manufacturing Support Roles Australian Businesses are Offshoring Today

Role	Key Tasks Offshore	Common Tools	Why It Works Remotely
Procurement Coordinator	PO processing Supplier comms Quote tracking ERP data entry	SAP, Pronto, MYOB, Excel	100% digital workflow; no physical goods handling required
Supply Chain Administrator	Order tracking Shipment documentation Logistics coordination	SAP, NetSuite, 3PL portals	File and platform-based; integrates with AU systems remotely
Inventory Control Officer	Stock reconciliation Cycle count admin Inventory reporting	MYOB, Pronto, Excel	Data and reporting work; no warehouse presence required
Production Planner (Admin)	Works order creation Scheduling inputs BOM admin	SAP, Microsoft Dynamics	Scheduling and data entry, managed via ERP access
Quality Documentation Officer	NCMR processing ISO document control Audit records	SharePoint, QMS software	Documentation and compliance that’s fully digital
Data Entry / ERP Administrator	Goods receipts Invoices Master data BOM updates	SAP, Pronto, MYOB	Core ERP admin. Remote access is standard practice
Estimator (Admin Support)	Quotation data entry Cost sheet maintenance Tender admin	Excel, Procore, industry tools	Structured data tasks; clear inputs and outputs
Customer Service / Order Desk	Order intake Delivery queries Client communications	CRM, Salesforce, email	Communications-based, and a time zone overlap that supports AU hours

1. Procurement Coordinator

A procurement coordinator manages the purchasing pipeline that keeps a manufacturing operation running. They are responsible for raising purchase orders (POs), tracking supplier quotes, following up on delivery confirmations and maintaining accurate records in the ERP system.

Tasks that transfer offshore:

• PO creation and processing in SAP, Pronto or MYOB
• Supplier communication and quote tracking via email and supplier portals
• Goods receipt documentation
• ERP master data maintenance for vendor and product records

Tools: SAP, Pronto, MYOB, Excel, email.

Why it works remotely:

• The entire workflow is digital — POs are raised in the ERP, suppliers are communicated with via email and all documentation is stored electronically.
• No physical goods handling is involved in the coordination function.
• Time zone overlap with the Philippines means same-day responses to supplier queries and same-cycle PO processing.

2. Supply Chain Administrator

Supply chain administrators track the movement of goods through the supply chain, from inbound shipments to outbound dispatch. They ensure that documentation is accurate, logistics providers are kept up to date and the ERP reflects real-time inventory and order status.

Tasks that transfer offshore:

• Order tracking and status updates in SAP or NetSuite
• Inbound shipment documentation and goods receipt processing
• Coordination with 3PL (third-party logistics) providers via their portals
• Freight booking administration
• Supply chain reporting

Tools:SAP, NetSuite, 3PL portals, Excel

Why it works remotely:

• Supply chain coordination is inherently file- and platform-based.
• The offshore team member interfaces with the same logistics portals and ERP as the onshore team, without requiring physical access to the warehouse.

3. Inventory Control Officer

An inventory control officer maintains the accuracy of stock records. They lay the foundation for effective production planning, purchasing and financial reporting in any manufacturing business.

Tasks that transfer offshore:

• Inventory reconciliation between physical counts and ERP records
• Cycle count administration and variance reporting
• Inventory reporting by location, SKU and category
• Reorder point monitoring and purchase request generation
• Obsolete stock reporting

Tools:MYOB, Pronto, Excel

Why it works remotely:

• Inventory control at the administrative level is a data management function.
• The offshore officer works from ERP records, cycle count data uploaded by the warehouse team and reporting templates.

4. Production Planner (Admin Support)

A production planner (admin) supports the production scheduling function by managing the administrative layer: creating and updating work orders, maintaining the Bill of Materials (BOM) in the ERP and ensuring scheduling inputs are accurately captured.

Tasks that transfer offshore:

• Works order creation and status updates in SAP or Microsoft Dynamics
• BOM administration and version control
• Scheduling data entry and capacity reporting
• Production report compilation
• Coordination of works order paperwork between planning and the floor supervisor

Tools: SAP, Microsoft Dynamics, Excel.

Why it works remotely:

• Production planning administration is a data entry and coordination function.
• The offshore planner works within the ERP and communicates with the onshore production team via daily check-ins.

5. Quality Documentation Officer

Quality documentation officers manage the administrative backbone of a manufacturer’s quality management system. They take care of non-conformance records, ISO documents and audit trails, ensuring they are accurately maintained and audit-ready.

Tasks that transfer offshore:

• NCMR (Non-Conformance Management Report) processing and follow-up tracking
• ISO 9001 document control — version management, approval workflows and register maintenance
• Audit record preparation and archiving
• Corrective action register administration
• Quality reporting compilation

Tools:SharePoint, QMS (Quality Management System) software, Excel

Why it works remotely:

• Quality documentation is a function of document control and compliance administration.
• With access to SharePoint or a cloud-based QMS, an offshore documentation officer can manage the full document lifecycle without being physically present at the facility.

6. Data Entry / ERP Administrator

An ERP administrator keeps the system of record accurate. This is the role that sits behind every function in a manufacturing business and ensures that inventory levels, supplier records, invoice data and BOMs reflect reality.

Tasks that transfer offshore:

• Goods receipt posting and invoice matching in SAP, Pronto or MYOB
• Master data maintenance for suppliers, customers and products
• BOM updates and version control
• Purchase order and works order data entry
• Month-end ERP data cleanup and reconciliation support

Tools:SAP, Pronto, MYOB

Why it works remotely: ERP administration is, by definition, a system-based function, so remote access to SAP, Pronto and MYOB is standard practice. Many Australian manufacturing businesses already have remote-access configurations in place for their onshore staff.

7. Estimator (Admin Support)

An estimator (admin support) handles the administrative layer of the quotation and tendering process. They ensure that cost data is accurately captured, quote documents are formatted and issued and tender registers are maintained.

Tasks that transfer offshore:

• Quotation data entry and cost sheet population in Excel or industry-specific estimating tools
• Tender document preparation and formatting
• Quote register maintenance and follow-up tracking
• Supplier pricing comparison and input into cost models
• Procore or similar project tool administration

Tools:Excel, Procore and industry-specific estimating software

Why it works remotely:

• Estimating support is document and data-based.
• With access to cost databases, Excel templates and cloud-based estimating platforms, an offshore estimating support officer can handle the administrative workload that currently slows down your senior estimators.

8. Customer Service / Order Desk

A customer service/order desk officer manages the inbound order and customer communication flow, ensuring that orders are accurately entered, delivery queries are resolved and customer-facing communication is timely and professional.

Tasks that transfer offshore:

• Order intake and entry into the CRM or ERP
• Delivery status queries and proactive customer updates
• Returns and credit request processing
• Order acknowledgement dispatch
• Customer email management and escalation triage

Tools: CRM, Salesforce, email, ERP order management modules

Why it works remotely:

• Customer service for manufacturing order desks is a communications and data-entry function.
• The Philippines’ high English proficiency and time zone alignment with Australia provide full overlap with AEST business hours.

Why the Philippines is Australia’s #1 Offshore Manufacturing Support Destination

The Philippines is the leading offshore destination for Australian businesses in 2025, ahead of Fiji and India. For manufacturing support roles specifically, the structural advantages are well-matched to the work.

• Scale and depth of the talent pool: The Philippine BPO sector employs over 1.82 million peopleand generates USD $38 billion annually, growing at 7% in 2024. Within that workforce is a deep pool of degree-qualified administrators, accountants, supply chain coordinators and ERP-trained operators.
• ERP familiarity: Philippine professionals working with Australian manufacturing and distribution businesses routinely operate SAP, Pronto, MYOB, Microsoft Dynamics and NetSuite. ERP experience is a standard screening criterion for offshore manufacturing support roles.
• Time zone alignment: Philippine Standard Time (UTC+8) is 2-3 hours behind AEST. An offshore team member starting at 7:00 AM PHT is available by 9:00 AM AEST. It’s a full working day of real-time overlap for ERP queries, procurement follow-ups and production coordination.
• English proficiency: English is an official language and the medium of instruction in Philippine tertiary education. Written and spoken English proficiency at a professional level is standard for degree-qualified candidates.
• Cost differential: Australian businesses using offshore staffing through a managed partner typically reduce labour costs by 50–70% compared to equivalent local hires, with hardware, software licences, HR and payroll included in the managed fee.

Managed Offshoring vs. BPO vs. Freelancer: What’s the Difference?

• Managed Offshore Partner (e.g. Twoconnect): A dedicated team member works exclusively for your business. Hardware, software, HR, payroll and performance management are handled by the partner; the team member is fully integrated into your ERP and workflows.
• BPO (Business Process Outsourcing):A shared resource. The same person may handle multiple clients’ work, and the process is standardised rather than business-integrated. BPO is less suitable for ERP-specific or workflow-specific manufacturing roles.
• Freelance Marketplace (e.g., Upwork, OnlineJobsPH): There is no accountability framework, no performance management and no IP protection. This is appropriate for one-off tasks, not for ongoing ERP administration or supply chain coordination.

For manufacturing support roles where ERP accuracy and process consistency are critical, a managed offshore staffing serviceprovides the integration and accountability that a BPO or freelance arrangement cannot replicate.

How to Set Up Your First Offshore Manufacturing Support Team

The setup process is more straightforward than most manufacturers expect. Here are the five steps that distinguish a successful implementation from a frustrating one:

1. Identify which roles from the list you need first.

Start with the role where the pain is most acute: the open position you cannot fill, or the function that is currently consuming disproportionate time from your senior team.

Procurement coordination and ERP data entry are the most common first roles for AU manufacturers because they are well-defined, high-volume and immediately impactful.

2. Document your workflows before handover.

Offshore onboarding works best when the role has a clear brief: what tasks are done daily, in what sequence, using which systems and to what output standard.

If your processes are undocumented, use the pre-engagement period to map them. This is useful whether or not you offshore, but it is essential for a successful offshore implementation.

3. Choose a managed offshore partner, not a marketplace.

For ERP-integrated manufacturing roles, you need a talent sourcing for offshore rolesprocess that screens for specific system experience (e.g. SAP, Pronto, MYOB) and a performance management framework that holds the hire accountable. Marketplace platforms provide neither.

4. Run the structured onboarding process.

A well-managed offshore team onboarding and setupprogramme runs 4-8 weeks and covers ERP access configuration and training to your specific system setup, your documentation standards and naming conventions, your communication rhythm and reporting requirements and quality review cycles with your onshore team lead.

Do not skip this step. The onboarding period is where the investment in a good offshore hire either pays off or fails.

5. Use the 30/60/90-day framework to assess performance.

By day 30, the offshore team member should be completing assigned tasks with light-touch review. By day 60, they should be operating independently within the defined scope.

And by day 90, they should be proactively flagging issues without being prompted. If they are not, the issue is usually in the briefing or feedback loop, not the hire.

Tools for Remote Manufacturing Support Teams

• ERP remote access:SAP GUI via VPN, Pronto cloud, MYOB AccountRight Live
• Communication:Slack or Microsoft Teams for daily async updates; Zoom or Google Meet for weekly check-ins
• File sharing:SharePoint or Google Drive for document libraries and QMS records
• Project tracking:Asana or Monday.com for task visibility
• Time zone:PH is UTC+8. Start at 7:00 AM PHT to align with 9:00 AM AEST

For a broader context on how Australian businesses structure and scale offshore teams, how Australian SMEs scale faster with offshore supportcovers the end-to-end decision framework and onboarding roadmap.

Common Questions About Offshoring Manufacturing Support Roles in Australia

What manufacturing roles can be outsourced to offshore staff?

The manufacturing support roles that transfer offshore most effectively are office-based, system-driven and deliverable without requiring physical presence on the production floor or in the warehouse.

Can offshore staff operate our ERP system (SAP, Pronto, MYOB)?

Yes. Offshore manufacturing support staff working with Australian businesses routinely operate SAP, Pronto, MYOB, Microsoft Dynamics and NetSuite. The key setup requirements are: a stable VPN or cloud access configuration, a clear user-permission structure that limits access to the relevant modules and an onboarding period during which the offshore team member is trained on your specific system setup and data standards.

How much does it cost to hire an offshore procurement coordinator?

Through a managed offshore partner in the Philippines, the all-in cost of a dedicated Procurement Coordinator typically ranges from AUD $25,000–$38,000 per year, depending on seniority and ERP experience required.

What is the difference between offshoring production and offshoring support roles?

Offshoring production means moving the physical manufacturing of goods to an overseas facility; it’s an entirely different model that involves capital investment, supply chain restructuring and regulatory considerations. Offshoring support roles means hiring offshore staff to handle the administrative and coordination functions that support your Australian manufacturing operation. The production stays in Australia.

Is offshore manufacturing support suitable for small manufacturers?

Yes. The managed offshore model is specifically designed to be accessible for small and medium-sized manufacturers. A small manufacturer with 10-50 employees can offshore a single role (typically procurement coordination or ERP administration) and see an immediate impact on both cost and capacity. The managed partner handles HR, payroll, hardware and performance management, removing the administrative overhead that previously made offshore hiring complex for smaller businesses.

Which Roles Will You Offshore First?

Australian manufacturers are already offshoring procurement coordination, supply chain administration, quality documentation and ERP data management. The question is which roles to start with and how to set them up for success.

The eight roles in this guide represent the clearest starting points: well-defined, digital, ERP-integrated and remote-deliverable. For most manufacturers, the highest-impact first hire is the role that has been open the longest, or the function that is currently consuming the most time from staff who should be focused elsewhere.

Twoconnect’s managed offshore staffing services support Australian manufacturers with talent sourcing and offshore team onboarding.

To see the full range of offshore roles Twoconnect placesacross manufacturing, construction, accounting and more; or to explore what an offshore manufacturing support team would look like for your business, get in touch with us. We are happy to walk you through the specifics without any sales pressure.