Plant Manager in Birmingham

Artifex Interior Systems is pleased to confirm the below opportunity within our business:

Main purpose of the job

Key decision maker with responsibility for a multi-functional site producing automotive components for well-established car makers, understanding that all decisions have a significant impact on the business in terms of costs, capacity, and customer relations.

Main missions and results

• Strategy, Governance and Cross-Functional Collaboration
  • Work in collaboration with central functions such as Engineering, Business Development, Procurement, HR & Finance to support plant operations.
  • Lead the site to develop the strategy and methods to deliver the organisational goals and customer requirements.
  • Responsible for the effective implementation of the Artifex Business Strategy for the site.
  • Being the driving force for compliance with and adherence to Artifex policies and Legal, Quality, Safety and Environmental regulations.
  • Preparing the site to secure a successful launch of new programs in accordance with applicable time schedules and customer requirements.
  • Preparing site financial information and performance reports for corporate executives and visiting customers.
  • Authorising expenditures and invoices for payment.
• Leadership, People and Culture
  • Supervision of the key roles on site: Operations, HSE, Quality, Materials, Planning and Logistics, and CI. Manages, through subordinates, all business activities of the site, maximising outputs and performance.
  • Through collaboration with the workforce, unions and management teams, is accountable for developing a roadmap that drives all employee engagement.
  • Responsible for the development of resources within the site to ensure continuity and career path promotional opportunities.
  • Key driver in developing a management style throughout the site management team (at all levels), which encourages teamwork, innovation, people participation and development.
  • Responsible for empowering members of the site to implement IATF16949, ISO14001, ISO18001 and other regulatory standards.
  • Communicating the relevant information regularly to all employees and colleagues by way of Town Hall sessions.
  • Embed a culture of excellence, ensuring all teams consistently deliver to the highest standards.
• Operational Excellence and Continuous Improvement
  • Champion innovative thinking and encourage teams to explore new methodologies and technologies.
  • Initiate, support and drive continuous improvements, cost reductions and productivity enhancements.
  • Implement Lean, Six Sigma, and other continuous improvement initiatives to reduce waste and increase efficiency.
  • Monitor KPIs such as OEE, scrap rates, downtime, labour utilisation, and throughput.
  • Drive optimisation of processes, equipment, and plant layout.
  • Ensure employees have the best possible working conditions through development of Artifex Health & Safety systems and policies.
  • Support Lean methodologies.
  • Work in line with Artifex production systems.
• Quality Management
  • Maintain customer satisfaction and manage escalations or audits from OEMs.
• Maintenance & Asset Management
  • Oversee preventive and predictive maintenance strategies.
  • Ensure equipment reliability and availability to minimise downtime.
  • Manage capital investment projects for new machinery, tooling, and upgrades.
• Supply Chain & Customer Coordination
  • Coordinate with supply chain teams to ensure materials availability.
  • Work closely with OEM customers to meet forecasted volumes and respond to changes.
  • Reduce bottlenecks by optimising inventory, logistics, and scheduling.
• Budgetary responsibilities
  • Develop budgets and ensure compliance with budgetary requirements in line with corporate, divisional, and governmental directives.
  • Budget planning (in collaboration with subordinates) for the whole site and all departments.
  • Presentation and defence of the data to the Executive Board.
  • Capacity planning (in collaboration with Engineering & Launch).
• Generic Success Measures
  • Drive performance of the site in relation to key measures for all areas – Quality, Production, Planning, HR, Health & Safety and Maintenance and Launch departments.
  • Ensure that all site managers are delivering on their objectives and performing at the highest level possible.
  • Drive and support the CI Roadmap deliverables and ensure that a regular review is held with the key contributors.

Preferred skills and experience

• Degree level education in Engineering or Manufacturing discipline.
• Previous experience in a similar role within a high volume and complex automotive manufacturing environment.
• Working knowledge of Continuous Improvement tools with demonstrable results.
• Experience of leadership and management of a diverse Senior Management Team within a fast paced and challenging environment.
• Demonstrated ability to empower teams and create a culture of shared ownership.
• Knowledge of annual budget preparation for a multifunctional site.
• Excellent communication skills at all levels.
• Track record of driving innovation and adopting new technologies to improve site performance.
• Excellent presentation skills.
• Problem solving skills.
• Consistent and fair approach.
• Computer literate with Microsoft packages.
• Trained to a Green Belt Six Sigma level (Desirable/Optional).
• Previous experience within a Finance role (Desirable/Optional).

Note: this is not an exhaustive list. All employees are expected to show flexibility and continued self-development to meet the ever-changing needs of the business. All job descriptions / vacancy notices will be subject to continual development.

Internal closing date: Friday, 6th March 2026. Please note if you apply after this date that you may still be progressed, but depending on the volume of applications we are unable to guarantee the ability to accommodate.

Artifex is an equal opportunities employer and committed to eliminating discrimination and encouraging diversity amongst our workforce. Our aim is that our workforce will be truly representative of all sections of society and each employee feels respected and able to give their best. We oppose all forms of unlawful and unfair discrimination. We are committed to creating an environment in which individual differences and the contributions of all our staff are recognised.

If you’re interested in this role, click 'apply now' to forward an up-to-date copy of your CV with your contact details. If this job isn’t quite what you are looking for but you are looking for a new position within Automotive, please contact us for a confidential discussion on your career.