Martin Veasey Talent Solutions
Head of Operations / Plant Manager
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HEAD OF OPERATIONS / PLANT MANAGER
Head of Operations | Plant Manager | Production Manager | Operations Manager | People Leadership
An excellent People-Leadership Role Within a Stable, High-Performing Manufacturing Operation
Location: South Yorkshire / North Midlands (Peak District border) - commutable from East Midlands / South Yorkshire / South Cheshire / Staffordshire, or Relocation Assistance Available
£80,000 - £90,000 + 25% Bonus + Car Allowance + Executive Benefits
About the Opportunity
This is a planned succession appointment within a large-scale, energy-intensive manufacturing operation that is already stable, commercially successful, and well-invested. The current site leader is staying in the business in a Continuous Improvement capacity, and will support a structured handover.
This is not a turnaround, and it is not primarily a technical role - the team already has strong technical depth. What the business needs is a visible, credible people leader who can build accountability, structure and confidence into a talented but currently under-developed leadership layer, and move the operation from a reactive, firefighting culture to a proactive, well-run one.
The Opportunity Is Suited To
- Production Manager, Senior Production Manager, or Manufacturing Manager ready for a broader multi-site leadership role
- Operations Manager, Plant Manager or Deputy Plant Manager seeking a genuine next step
- Candidates from heavy process manufacturing, industrial minerals, cement, chemicals, or industrial manufacturing
- Candidates from heavy industrial processing, FMCG, consumer goods, brewing or other traditional manufacturing environments who have led shift managers and are ready to lead a leadership team
- Suited to a leader who is ambitious to progress further within a growing business, or one who is looking to bring proven leadership experience to a stable, rewarding senior role for the long term
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What Matters Most
- Genuine presence, energy and the ability to engage and inspire a close, family-style team - this is a nurturing, coaching leadership style, not a dictatorial one
- A track record of developing supervisors and managers into confident, accountable leaders - including real, specific examples of succession planning and building bench strength
- The ability to move a team from reactive problem-solving to proactive, structured performance management
- Experience managing managers (not just individual operators or tradespeople) across production, maintenance or engineering-adjacent teams
- Comfort operating in a unionised, highly visible, site-based environment
- Willingness to be the first point of contact for the (infrequent) out-of-hours issue
What You Will Be Responsible For
- Leadership of a multi-site, high-volume manufacturing operation (circa £100m+ turnover)
- Building leadership capability, accountability and succession depth across the operational team
- Day-to-day operational, safety, quality and cost performance
- Working closely with a strong existing technical/engineering team - you do not need to be the technical expert
- Supporting continuous improvement and capital investment programmes already underway
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What Success Looks Like
The operation is already fundamentally sound. Success here is about unlocking the capability that already exists in the team - building a leadership layer that no longer depends on one individual to hold it all together, and creating a visible, structured, proactive way of running the operation day to day.
Location
Candidates should be within a reasonable commute of the South Yorkshire / North Midlands (Peak District border) region, or willing to relocate. This is a genuinely attractive part of the country to live in, with more affordable housing than many candidates expect, and a relocation package is available to support the right candidate.
Package
- £80,000 - £90,000 basic salary
- 25% bonus (non-contractual, based on company performance)
- Pension: 5% employee / 10% employer
- Private medical insurance (family cover)
- Company car or car allowance (£625/month)
- Share save scheme, Reward Gateway benefits platform
- 26 days holiday + birthday + bank holidays, holiday purchase scheme
- SmartTech and Cycle to Work salary sacrifice schemes
Application
To explore this opportunity in complete confidence, please apply with a detailed CV. All applications will be handled with strict confidentiality.
Ref: LX3566689
Desired Skills and Experience
Manufacturing, Succession Planning, Leadership, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Industrial Process, OEE, Production Management, Lean Six Sigma
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