Development Manager

Development Manager

Full-Time 40000 - 50000 £ / year (est.) No working from home possible
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At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead technical development in Steelmaking, driving innovation and process optimisation.
  • Company: Join British Steel, a leading European steel manufacturer with a rich heritage.
  • Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, generous leave, health plans, and career development opportunities.
  • Other info: Be part of a supportive team with a commitment to continuous improvement and innovation.
  • Why this job: Make a real impact in a dynamic industry while growing your technical leadership skills.
  • Qualifications: Degree in Metallurgy or related field preferred; strong leadership and analytical skills required.

The predicted salary is between 40000 - 50000 £ per year.

Salary - Competitive

Location - Scunthorpe, North Lincolnshire, DN16 1XA

Pattern of Work – 36.5 hours, Monday - Friday

What you need to know about the role

We’re seeking a highly capable and technically driven Development Manager to lead technical development activity across our Steelmaking operations at Scunthorpe, covering BOS and Continuous Casting. In this key role, you will lead a team responsible for delivering structured development projects focused on improving product capability, process performance, operational efficiency and cost competitiveness. You will provide technical leadership across a range of metallurgical and process disciplines, ensuring development activity is delivered safely, effectively and in alignment with business objectives. Working closely with Manufacturing, Engineering, Commercial and Technical teams, you will play a critical role in driving innovation, process optimisation and long-term capability growth across the department. Through robust technical governance, data-driven decision making and structured project delivery, you will support continuous improvement and help strengthen product quality and customer performance.

Key Responsibilities

  • Lead and manage technical development activity across Steelmaking operations.
  • Manage and develop a specialist technical team delivering metallurgical and process development projects.
  • Define, prioritise and govern structured development programmes aligned with business and operational objectives.
  • Drive innovation and process improvement to enhance quality, productivity, capability and cost performance.
  • Analyse operational and quality data to identify trends, opportunities and improvement actions.
  • Support technical justification for process improvements, capital investment and capability enhancement projects.
  • Ensure effective management of technical risk, trial governance and documentation standards.
  • Support customer-facing technical discussions and cross-functional improvement activities where specialist expertise is required.
  • Ensure development activities comply with ISO 9001 requirements and Business Management System governance.
  • Develop, deliver and maintain technical training packages and specialist guidance materials to support operational and technical capability development across Steelmaking.

What we need to know about you

  • Ideally, you will be educated to degree level (or equivalent) in Metallurgy, Materials Science, Chemistry, Chemical Engineering or a related discipline, although equivalent and exceptional industry experience will also be considered.
  • Strong technical knowledge of steelmaking processes and metallurgical principles.
  • Experience leading technical development, product improvement or process optimisation activities within a manufacturing environment.
  • Strong leadership and communication skills, with the ability to manage and develop technical specialists.
  • Excellent analytical and problem-solving capability, with confidence interpreting complex operational and quality data.
  • Experience delivering structured technical projects and driving continuous improvement initiatives.
  • A proactive and innovation-focused mindset, balanced with disciplined technical governance and risk management.

What we can offer you

We know our employees are our greatest asset and alongside the great benefits packages we offer, we continue to invest in their careers by providing a huge range of training and development opportunities. Whatever your stage in life, you'll find a range of benefits to complement your work-life balance. The benefits you'll enjoy include:

  • Defined contribution company pension scheme
  • 27 personal annual leave days + statutory bank holidays
  • Life Assurance
  • A comprehensive Company sick pay scheme
  • Health Cash Plan via our partnership with Simply health
  • Employee Assistance Programme
  • Standby and call-out payments
  • Family friendly benefits including enhanced maternity, paternity, and adoption leave.

What you need to know about us

British Steel is a leading European steel manufacturer, supplying premium long products around the world. We take great pride in our history and heritage. Not many companies can claim to have generations of families dedicating their working lives to one company, one industry. Steel gets into your blood, and this drives the passion of our people. And these 2 values deliver our third value of performance – making the products our customers want now and in the future. British Steel has a bright future and we want you to be part of it. British Steel is an armed forces friendly company, and we actively encourage applications from ex-Armed Forces Personnel, Reservists, Armed Forces Veterans and military spouses/partners. We may close this vacancy sooner than planned if we receive a high volume of suitable applications. To ensure your application is considered, we encourage you to submit it as soon as possible.

Development Manager employer: British Steel

At British Steel, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a supportive work culture that values innovation and continuous improvement. Located in Scunthorpe, our team enjoys a competitive salary, generous benefits including 27 days of annual leave, and extensive training opportunities to foster professional growth. Join us to be part of a legacy where your contributions directly impact the future of steel manufacturing while enjoying a family-friendly environment that supports work-life balance.

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Contact Details:

British Steel Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Development Manager

Tip Number 1

Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the steelmaking industry or related fields. A friendly chat can lead to opportunities that aren’t even advertised yet.

Tip Number 2

Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its projects. Show us you’re genuinely interested in British Steel and how you can contribute to their goals in steelmaking.

Tip Number 3

Don’t underestimate the power of follow-ups! After an interview, drop a quick thank-you email. It keeps you on their radar and shows your enthusiasm for the role.

Tip Number 4

Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, it shows you’re keen on being part of the British Steel family right from the start.

We think you need these skills to ace Development Manager

Technical Leadership
Metallurgical Knowledge
Process Optimisation
Project Management
Data Analysis
Problem-Solving Skills
Innovation Focus

Some tips for your application 🫡

Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the Development Manager role. Highlight your experience in technical development and process optimisation, and don’t forget to mention any leadership roles you've had. We want to see how your skills align with what we’re looking for!

Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you’re passionate about steelmaking and how your background makes you the perfect fit for our team. Be sure to connect your experiences with the key responsibilities mentioned in the job description.

Showcase Your Achievements:When detailing your past roles, focus on specific achievements that demonstrate your ability to drive innovation and improve processes. Use data and examples to back up your claims – we love seeing how you’ve made a difference in previous positions!

Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply through our website for the best chance of getting noticed. It’s straightforward and ensures your application goes directly to us. Plus, you’ll find all the info you need about the role and our company there!

How to prepare for a job interview at British Steel

Know Your Steelmaking Stuff

Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of steelmaking processes and metallurgical principles. Be ready to discuss specific examples from your experience that demonstrate your technical expertise and how it can benefit the company.

Showcase Your Leadership Skills

Prepare to talk about your experience in leading technical teams and managing projects. Think of concrete examples where you successfully drove innovation or process improvements, and be ready to explain your approach to developing team members.

Data is Your Best Friend

Since the role involves analysing operational and quality data, come prepared with examples of how you've used data-driven decision-making in past projects. Highlight any trends you identified and the actions you took to improve performance.

Align with Business Objectives

Understand the company's goals and how your role as a Development Manager fits into them. Be ready to discuss how you would define and prioritise development programmes that align with these objectives, showcasing your strategic thinking.