Operations Manager

INTERNATIONAL RECRUITMENT & HR EXPERTS ACROSS THE PLASTICS, PACKAGING, SPECIALITY CHEMICALS, LIFE SCIENCES, BIOPOLYMER, FOOD ADDITIVES & INGREDIENTS, ENERGY AND RECYCLING SECTORS SINCE 1975.

Operations Manager 
Based in Greater Manchester

Job ref:    EG /64969

The Company: 

·    A well-established, privately owned chemical manufacturing company with over 30 years’ experience supplying specialist materials into industrial markets, building a strong reputation for technical expertise, product quality and customer service.
·    Operating from a modern manufacturing facility in the North West, the business has invested significantly in its production capabilities, infrastructure and people, supporting continued growth and long-term customer partnerships.
·    They are now seeking an experienced and hands-on Operations Manager to lead manufacturing, production, warehousing and operational activity across a busy Greater Manchester site.

Role Purpose:

·    Reporting directly to the Managing Director and forming part of the Management Team, this is a key leadership role focused on driving operational performance, developing teams and embedding a high-performing culture centred around safety, quality, customer service and continuous improvement.
·    This role requires a visible and credible leader who thrives in a fast-paced manufacturing environment and can deliver measurable improvements through strong leadership, operational discipline and operational best practice.
·    As part of its continued growth strategy, the company is seeking to strengthen its operational leadership team with the appointment of an experienced manufacturing professional.
·    The Operations Manager will also act as the site lead for Health & Safety coordination, working closely with the external Health & Safety Advisor to maintain compliance and promote a proactive safety culture throughout the business.

Key Responsibilities:

Operational Leadership:

·    Lead all day-to-day manufacturing, production, engineering and warehousing operations across the site. 
·    Drive high standards of housekeeping, operational discipline and manufacturing best practice across the site. 
·    Provide strong, visible and hands-on leadership within the production environment. 
·    Ensure operational targets relating to Safety, Quality, Cost, Delivery and Productivity (SQCDP) are achieved.
·    Drive OTIF (On Time In Full) delivery performance in line with production plans and customer requirements. 
·    Monitor operational KPIs and performance metrics, implementing corrective actions where required. 
·    Develop and maintain effective operational processes, systems and standard operating procedures. 
·    Ensure labour, materials and production resources are effectively planned and utilised. 
·    Support operational planning to meet changing customer and business demands. 
·    Lead continuous improvement initiatives to enhance manufacturing efficiency, reduce waste and improve productivity.
·    Apply Lean manufacturing, Six Sigma, 5S and root cause analysis techniques to resolve issues and optimise processes. 
·    Oversee compliance with ISO9001 and ISO14001 standards, ensuring systems and practices are maintained
·    Lead and manage all site engineering activities, including capital projects and maintenance expenditure.
·    Develop and implement a preventative planned maintenance (PPM) system.

Leadership & People Development:

·    Lead, coach and develop operational teams to create a positive, accountable and high-performing culture. 
·    Develop employee capability through structured training, continuous development cycles and succession planning. 
·    Ensure training matrices and competency records are maintained to support operational capability and compliance requirements.
·    Conduct regular performance reviews, objective setting and employee development activities. 
·    Foster employee engagement through effective communication, mentoring and leadership by example. 
·    Support recruitment, absence management, disciplinary and grievance processes where required. 
·    Champion cross-functional teamwork and collaboration across the business. 

Health, Safety & Compliance:

·    Act as the site co-ordinator for all Health & Safety activities. 
·    Work closely with the external Health & Safety Advisor to ensure compliance with all legal, regulatory and company standards. 
·    Take operational ownership for Health & Safety performance across the site and ensure safety remains a core business priority at all levels. 
·    Ensure safe systems of work, risk assessments, method statements and operational procedures are maintained and adhered to. 
·    Support accident investigation, corrective actions and continuous improvement of site safety performance. 
·    Ensure compliance with Environmental, Quality, GMP and housekeeping standards. 
·    Drive high standards of operational safety awareness and behaviours

Continuous Improvement: 

·    Promote Lean manufacturing principles, process improvement and waste reduction activities. 
·    Use operational data and analytics to identify opportunities for efficiency, productivity and cost improvements. 
·    Support capital investment projects and operational development initiatives. 

Commercial & Operational Performance: 

·    Support operational budget management and cost control activities. 
·    Manage labour utilisation, overtime and operational overheads in line with budget expectations. 
·    Monitor manufacturing performance and implement actions to improve efficiency and reduce downtime. 
·    Work collaboratively with Sales, Planning, Technical and Purchasing teams to support customer service objectives. 
·    Contribute to operational strategy, planning and business improvement initiatives.
 
The post holder may be required to undertake additional duties or responsibilities, within the scope and level of the role, to support the ongoing needs of the business.

Qualifications & Experience:

Essential:

·    A minimum of 5 years’ experience within a manufacturing or industrial operations leadership role. 
·    Proven experience leading teams within a fast-paced manufacturing environment 
·    Proven leadership experience within a batch manufacturing environment, ideally within chemicals, coatings, adhesives, polymers, food, pharmaceutical or related process industries.
·    Strong leadership capability with a hands-on management style. 
·    Experience developing teams through coaching, mentoring and structured training programmes. 
·    IOSH Managing Safely or equivalent Health & Safety qualification. 
·    Strong understanding of operational KPI management and continuous improvement. 
·    Excellent communication, organisational and problem-solving skills. 
·    Strong understanding of Health & Safety legislation and operational compliance requirements. 

Desirable:

·    Degree, HNC/HND or equivalent qualification in Engineering, Manufacturing or related discipline. 
·    Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma or Continuous Improvement training. 
·    Experience within polymer processing, extrusion, compounding or related manufacturing sectors. 
·    Mechanical or process manufacturing background. 
·    Experience supporting cultural change and operational transformation initiatives. 

Please understand that due to the expected high number of applications, only shortlisted candidates will be contacted directly

For reasons of better legibility, the simultaneous use of the language forms male, female and diverse (f/m/d) is avoided. All personal designations apply equally to all genders.
For UK roles, candidates must be eligible to work and live in the United Kingdom. Proof of eligibility will be required with your application.

Why select Listgrove?
·    Five Decades of Market Intelligence
·    Unrivalled Industry Networks
·    Recognised International brand
·    HR Qualified Professionals

To hear from our clients on how we have supported their search for talent and HR needs, please visit Listgrove’s Case Studies page.  

Throughout 2026 & 2027 you can meet with Listgrove at the following exhibitions:
Interpack, France Innovation Plasturgie, Interplas UK, Plast Milan, Fakuma, ArabPlast, NPE 2027. 

Performance through People.

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