Find a job 
Featured Companies 
Featured Universities 
For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Support production operations and develop leadership skills in a dynamic manufacturing environment.
- Company: Join a leading company focused on safety and operational excellence.
- Benefits: Comprehensive training, career progression, and a supportive team culture.
- Why this job: Kickstart your career with hands-on experience and the chance to lead in just 18 months.
- Qualifications: Experience in manufacturing or chemical processing and strong leadership potential.
- Other info: Exciting opportunities for growth and travel to share best practices.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 42000 £ per year.
An excellent opportunity has arisen for an ambitious Trainee Plant Manager to join a highly regulated operational site and progress into a full Plant Manager role within approximately 18 months to 2 years. This role is ideal for a driven individual with experience in manufacturing or chemical processing environments who is looking to develop into a senior operational leadership position. Comprehensive training will be provided to support progression and competency development.
The Role
Reporting into the Production Manager, the Trainee Plant Manager will play a key role in supporting day-to-day production operations while developing the knowledge, skills, and leadership capability required to take full responsibility for site operations. The role operates within a top-tier COMAH environment, requiring a strong focus on health, safety, environmental compliance, and continuous improvement. You will work closely with production, logistics, engineering, laboratory, and business process teams to ensure safe, efficient, and compliant plant operations.
Key Responsibilities
- Support the safe and efficient operation of production activities in line with health, safety, environmental, and quality standards
- Promote and embed a strong health and safety culture, ensuring audit-ready standards and excellent housekeeping
- Manage and develop operational teams through coaching, competency assessments, training, and performance management
- Assist with production planning, staffing levels, and shift coverage to meet operational and business requirements
- Monitor and improve production KPIs, including yields, efficiency, and downtime
- Drive continuous improvement initiatives to enhance safety, environmental performance, cost control, and productivity
- Ensure compliance with COMAH regulations, environmental permits, COSHH, DSEAR, and site operating procedures
- Issue and control Permit to Work activities, including hot work and confined space permits
- Support management of change (MoC) processes for equipment, procedural, and operational changes
- Oversee site testing, monitoring, emissions control, and effluent management
- Support investigations into incidents, near misses, customer complaints, and non-conformances
- Work closely with engineering teams during maintenance, commissioning, and plant modifications
- Maintain accurate production records, including batch data and system reporting
- Participate in site inspections, audits, and emergency response support when required
- Provide out-of-hours support to production teams as necessary
Skills and Experience Required
- Experience working in a manufacturing, processing, or chemical plant environment
- Previous experience managing or supervising operational teams
- Strong leadership, coaching, and communication skills
- A proactive and structured approach to problem-solving
- Ability to work under pressure in a regulated, safety-critical environment
- A strong interest in continuous improvement and operational excellence
- Good IT skills, including Microsoft Office and manufacturing systems
- The ability to influence and engage teams at all levels
- Willingness to travel nationally or internationally on occasion to share best practice
Trainee Plant Manager employer: Adepto Technical Recruitment Ltd
Contact Detail:
Adepto Technical Recruitment Ltd Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Trainee Plant Manager
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the manufacturing and chemical processing sectors. Attend industry events or join relevant online groups. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its operations. Understand their health, safety, and environmental standards. This will show you're genuinely interested and ready to contribute to their goals right from the get-go.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your leadership skills! Even if you haven't held a formal management position, highlight any experience where you've coached or supported teams. Use examples that demonstrate your proactive approach to problem-solving and continuous improvement.
✨Tip Number 4
Don't forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are keen to join us directly. So, get your application in and let’s get the ball rolling!
We think you need these skills to ace Trainee Plant Manager
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV reflects the skills and experiences that match the Trainee Plant Manager role. Highlight any relevant experience in manufacturing or chemical processing environments, and don’t forget to showcase your leadership abilities!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you’re passionate about this role and how your background makes you a perfect fit. Be sure to mention your interest in health, safety, and continuous improvement.
Showcase Your Problem-Solving Skills: In your application, give examples of how you've tackled challenges in previous roles. We love seeing a proactive approach to problem-solving, especially in a regulated environment like ours!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website for the best chance of success. It’s the easiest way for us to keep track of your application and get back to you quickly!
How to prepare for a job interview at Adepto Technical Recruitment Ltd
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of health, safety, and environmental compliance. Familiarise yourself with COMAH regulations and how they apply to the role. This will show that you're serious about safety and ready to take on the responsibilities of a Trainee Plant Manager.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples of how you've successfully managed or supervised teams in the past. Think about specific situations where you coached someone or improved team performance. This will demonstrate your leadership potential and ability to engage with operational teams.
✨Emphasise Continuous Improvement
Be ready to discuss your interest in continuous improvement initiatives. Share any experiences where you've driven efficiency or productivity in previous roles. This will highlight your proactive approach and commitment to operational excellence, which is key for this position.
✨Ask Smart Questions
Prepare thoughtful questions about the company's operations, culture, and future projects. This shows your genuine interest in the role and helps you assess if the company is the right fit for you. Plus, it gives you a chance to engage with the interviewers on a deeper level.
