General Manager

General Manager – Fermanagh

An exceptional leadership opportunity for a highly experienced General Manager to lead one of the largest material processing and building product manufacturing operations in the UK and Ireland. This role is suited to a strategic thinker with proven expertise in managing large-scale manufacturing operations, delivering operational excellence, and driving growth through continuous improvement and innovation.

The Company

A long-established leader in material processing and building product manufacturing, with operations across Ireland and the UK. Serving the construction, packaging, and housing sectors, the company is known for high-quality products, sustainable practices, and long-term investment in technology and infrastructure. With over 900 employees and several major capital investment projects completed or underway, this is a company experiencing continued growth and transformation.

The Role

Based at a large-scale processing site employing over 220 staff, the General Manager will report directly to the Head of Operations and take full responsibility for engineering, production, maintenance, safety, health, environment, and quality (SHEQ) functions. This is a pivotal leadership role in the company\’s next stage of development, driving plant performance, efficiency, and innovation while championing community engagement and staff development.

Key responsibilities include:

Safety, Health, Environment & Quality (SHEQ):

• Lead a safety-first culture across all departments, ensuring compliance and continual improvement.
• Oversee audits, policies, and the sharing of best practices across the wider group.

Engineering & Production:

• Ensure high reliability and performance of all manufacturing equipment.
• Monitor OEE and lead strategies for increased equipment utilisation.
• Collaborate with production, maintenance, and engineering teams to improve reliability and output.
• Manage production planning in line with commercial strategies.
• Drive operational excellence through standardised practices and KPIs.

Continuous Improvement & Innovation:

• Promote lean manufacturing and embed continuous improvement principles.
• Stay updated on technology trends and integrate automation where applicable.
• Lead capital projects and upgrades to support long-term operational goals.

Financial & Commercial Management:

• Prepare and manage site budgets and cost controls.
• Analyse performance reports and apply corrective measures where necessary.
• Ensure commercial value in all supplier and contractor engagements.

Leadership & People Development:

• Inspire, coach, and develop a large site team including area and department managers.
• Conduct performance reviews and succession planning.
• Ensure all employees are equipped with the training, tools, and support to succeed.
• Represent the site as a key contributor to the local economy and community.

Key Competencies:

• Strong leadership with the ability to build, motivate, and develop high-performing teams.
• Commercial acumen and financial management expertise.
• Excellent communication, negotiation, and influencing skills.
• Proven capability to lead Lean/CI programmes and embed operational efficiencies.
• Strategic mindset with the ability to manage large-scale change and innovation.
• High resilience and adaptability in a dynamic, evolving environment.

The Person

You are a confident and results-driven leader with a proven background in large manufacturing operations, ideally in heavy industry or large scale processing. You thrive in dynamic environments, demonstrate strong people leadership, and are motivated by delivering continuous improvement and long-term growth.

You will bring:

• A minimum of 5 years in a senior leadership role managing large operational teams.
• A strong track record in industrial manufacturing or processing environments.
• A degree or equivalent in Manufacturing, Engineering, Business, or Operations Management.
• Practical experience in Lean, Six Sigma, or Continuous Improvement.
• Outstanding stakeholder engagement and team-building capabilities.

The Package

• Highly competitive salary and benefits package
• Performance-based bonus
• Company pension and insurance schemes
• Significant influence in a strategically important role
• Opportunity to lead and shape a site during a major investment and growth phase

Location

Based at a major processing facility in Enniskillen, Northern Ireland, with full site leadership responsibilities.

All candidates who are living within a commutable distance to Fermanagh are encouraged to apply!

BMS Performance specialises in recruiting engineering professionals across Ireland. We will help you develop your career by understanding your skills and aspirations. We recruit across the Industrial, Manufacturing, Construction, IT, Engineering, and Corporate markets. Please contact Colin Freeman to arrange an interview.