J3A Recruitment
Head of Manufacturing
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Head of Manufacturing - Wirral - up to £85,000 (DOE) + Company Car + Bonus
A well-established UK manufacturer is entering a significant period of investment and operational change and is looking to appoint a Head of Manufacturing to lead the next phase of its development.
With a turnover of approximately £35m, continued CAPEX investment and further changes being made across Supply Chain, Quality and HSE, the business is building a stronger operational leadership structure to support its future growth.
This isn't a steady-state manufacturing role. The successful individual will be expected to take ownership of the manufacturing operation, challenge existing ways of working and lead a programme of operational and cultural transformation over the next 18 months.
The Role
Reporting into the senior leadership team, the Head of Manufacturing will take responsibility for a sizeable manufacturing function incorporating production, engineering and warehouse operations.
The site operates multiple aerosol and packaging lines and has recently invested in additional manufacturing equipment. The priority now is ensuring the operation, processes and people develop alongside that investment.
You will be responsible for creating a more structured, efficient and performance-led manufacturing environment, with particular focus on Continuous Improvement, TPM, Lean manufacturing and sustainable behavioural change.
Key responsibilities will include:
- Leading the day-to-day manufacturing operation across Production, Engineering and Warehouse functions.
- Providing leadership and direction across a workforce of 60+ employees.
- Developing a clear operational strategy focused on safety, quality, delivery, cost and people.
- Driving a significant programme of Continuous Improvement and cultural change across the site.
- Introducing greater structure, accountability and consistency within manufacturing.
- Developing and embedding TPM and preventative maintenance principles alongside the Engineering function.
- Improving manufacturing efficiency, equipment performance, productivity and operational reliability.
- Establishing meaningful operational KPIs and using data to identify improvement opportunities.
- Supporting the successful introduction and optimisation of newly installed manufacturing equipment.
- Working closely with Supply Chain, Quality and HSE leadership to improve overall site performance.
- Identifying and delivering further CAPEX and plant improvement opportunities.
- Developing the capability of managers and teams, creating greater ownership of performance at every level.
- Ensuring manufacturing standards continue to meet the requirements of a safety-critical, regulated production environment.
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What We're Looking For
We're looking for an established manufacturing leader who has already delivered meaningful operational change, rather than someone looking to make that transition for the first time. You could currently be operating as a Head of Manufacturing, Manufacturing Manager, Operations Manager, Head of Operations, Plant Manager or Site Operations Manager within a complex manufacturing environment.
You'll ideally bring:
- Strong leadership experience within manufacturing or production.
- A demonstrable track record of transforming operational performance and culture.
- Strong Continuous Improvement capability, ideally supported by Lean / Six Sigma experience.
- Experience implementing or significantly improving TPM within a manufacturing environment.
- A strong understanding of engineering, maintenance and equipment reliability.
- Experience managing sizeable multidisciplinary operational teams.
- Exposure to CAPEX projects and the introduction of new manufacturing equipment.
- The ability to develop people while also challenging established practices.
- Strong commercial awareness and an understanding of how operational improvements translate into business performance.
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Experience within aerosol, packaging, FMCG, personal care, medical products or another high-volume/process manufacturing environment would be particularly relevant. Direct chemical manufacturing experience is not essential. Of greater importance is your ability to understand complex manufacturing operations, engage the workforce and demonstrate that you've successfully led change rather than simply maintained an existing operation.
Why This Role?
There's genuine investment behind the position.
The business has already begun strengthening its senior operational structure, installing new equipment and investing in its manufacturing capability. The Head of Manufacturing will have the opportunity to shape how that investment translates into performance.
For somebody who enjoys walking into an established operation, understanding where the gaps are and then building something better, there's a substantial amount to get hold of here.
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