At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a sawmill site, ensuring safe and efficient operations while optimising production.
- Company: Join a leading timber manufacturing company focused on operational excellence.
- Benefits: Competitive salary up to £100,000, performance bonus, and pension contributions.
- Other info: Collaborative culture with a focus on safety, quality, and continuous improvement.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a dynamic environment with opportunities for growth and development.
- Qualifications: 5+ years in plant management, strong leadership, and operational excellence experience required.
The predicted salary is between 100000 - 100000 £ per year.
Principal Objective
Reporting to the Head of Operations, the successful candidate will be an experienced Plant Manager with a strong track record in good manufacturing practice, lean principles, and operational excellence within a manufacturing environment. The role holds full accountability for the safe, efficient and commercially effective performance of the sawmill site, ensuring safe, efficient and compliant operations aligned with Group standards and objectives. Working closely with Forestry, Sales and the Head of Operations, the Plant Manager will plan and manage production capacity to deliver against the Group’s strategic and commercial goals. Given the interdependent nature of operations, the role will also involve close collaboration with the other sites, ensuring a strong and effective working relationship. This cross-site coordination is critical to optimising production flow, meeting customer demand, and supporting overall business performance.
Knowledge & Experience
Degree or qualification in Engineering, Operations, Manufacturing or a related discipline, or equivalent practical experience. Minimum 5 years’ experience in a senior Plant, Site or Operations Management role within a manufacturing or industrial environment. Experience operating within a high-capital, asset-intensive environment. Proven experience managing large-scale production operations, ideally within sawmilling, timber processing or a comparable continuous-process industry. Strong working knowledge of Safety, Health, Environment and Quality (SHEQ) systems and regulatory compliance. Demonstrated experience applying lean manufacturing, continuous improvement and operational excellence principles. Experience managing budgets, KPIs and production planning to meet commercial and operational targets. Proven experience leading, developing and performance-managing multi-disciplinary teams.
Key Responsibilities
- Safety leadership: Partner with the SHEQ Manager to deploy right-fit policies, protocols, and trained personnel, maintaining a workplace culture that prioritizes safety and quality compliance.
- Yield optimization: Build and refine sawmill production schedules to extract maximum commercial value, coordinate tightly with Forestry and Sales leadership.
- Strategic output: Help shape the Group's macro production strategies while tracking site output against financial budgets through structured performance metrics.
- Efficiency programs: Champion local performance improvements via short-to-medium-term initiatives, embed uniform workflows and data reporting via continuous improvement practices.
- Talent management: Drive the site human resources agenda—including hiring, onboarding, staff development, and workplace engagement—in tandem with the HR department.
- Operational oversight: Maintain rigid site governance by facilitating daily, weekly, and monthly production review sessions.
- Supervisory coaching: Build highly collaborative ties with floor supervisors, equipping them to succeed while encouraging knowledge sharing across teams.
- Capital execution: Guide the planning of capital investments and oversee the rollout of onsite infrastructural and new product development projects.
- End-to-end production: Supervise the entire lifecycle of sawmill throughput, managing everything from initial log intake to final secondary manufacturing lines.
Essential Competencies
- Leadership & People Development: Builds high-performing teams through visible leadership, clear expectations, coaching and development. Creates an inclusive environment where colleagues are supported to perform at their best.
- Operational Excellence & Continuous Improvement: Demonstrates a systematic approach to improving safety, quality, efficiency and cost performance through lean thinking and structured problem-solving.
- Decision-Making & Accountability: Makes sound, timely decisions based on data and operational insight. Delegates effectively while maintaining clear accountability.
- Communication & Collaboration: Communicates clearly and credibly with colleagues at all levels. Builds strong working relationships across sites and functions.
- Change Leadership: Leads confidently through change, managing risk and uncertainty while maintaining operational stability and team engagement.
- Results Focus: Sets high standards and drives sustainable performance against agreed objectives and KPIs.
- Commercial & Financial Acumen: Understands cost drivers, margin levers and capital trade-offs. Uses financial insight to inform operational and strategic decisions.
Key Performance Measures
- Safety & Compliance Performance: Zero serious incidents, SHEQ audit outcomes and regulatory compliance metrics.
- Operational Performance: Production output vs plan, Yield, uptime and efficiency metrics.
- Financial Performance: Cost per cubic metre / tonne, delivery of site budget and contribution to Group margin.
- People & Capability: Engagement, retention and absence metrics, capability development of supervisors and leadership bench strength.
Key Relationships
- Head of Operations: strategic alignment, performance delivery, escalation.
- Managing Directors / Group Leadership: contribution to Group strategy and performance.
- Peer General Managers / Site Leaders: cross-site coordination, best practice sharing.
- Forestry Team: log supply, yield optimisation and planning.
- Sales & Commercial Teams: production planning, customer demand alignment.
- Engineering / Capital Projects Teams: asset reliability, capital investment delivery.
- HR Team: workforce planning, leadership development, engagement and succession.
- Finance / Management Accounting: budget control, cost performance, capital justification.
Contract & Remuneration
- Contract Type: Permanent
- Compensation: Up to £100,000 per annum
- Bonus: 10% performance-related bonus
- Pension: 5% company pension contribution
- Headcount: Plant Dependent (5 to 7 Direct Reports; total team varies by facility requirements)
- Budget Authority: Full ownership within agreed fiscal targets and capital threshold limits
- Hours: Full time, 40 hours per week
- Working Week: Monday to Friday
General Manager - Timber Manufacturing employer: Elite Talent Hub
As a Timber Frame Field Sales Leader at Elite Talent Hub, you will join a dynamic team that values innovation and collaboration in the thriving UK timber frame market. Our supportive work culture fosters professional growth through continuous training and development opportunities, while our commitment to employee well-being ensures a balanced work-life environment. With a focus on driving success and building lasting relationships, we offer a rewarding career path for those passionate about making an impact in the house building industry.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land General Manager - Timber Manufacturing
✨Join Local Manufacturing Groups
Getting involved in local manufacturing groups or associations can seriously boost your visibility. These groups often have insider info on job openings and networking events, plus they help you connect with like-minded folks in the industry. Check out what's happening in your area!
✨Show Off Your Skills in Practical Spaces
Consider participating in workshops or open days at manufacturing companies. It's a great way to show off your hands-on skills in a real-world environment and can sometimes lead to job offers right on the spot. Keep an eye on announcements from local manufacturers for these opportunities!
✨Leverage the Power of Internships
While you're looking for full-time positions, don't underestimate the power of internships! Even if you don't see a direct role, securing an internship at a company can open doors to future jobs. Many manufacturing firms prefer to hire from their intern pool, so it's definitely worth considering.
✨Apply Directly Through Company Websites
When you find a role at a company you love, like Elite Talent Hub, apply directly on their website. This way, you’re more likely to be noticed by the hiring team. Plus, showing that you took the time to seek out their application process highlights your genuine interest in the firm!
We think you need these skills to ace General Manager - Timber Manufacturing
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Your Technical Skills:In the manufacturing-production sector, it's crucial to highlight your technical skills and experience. Make sure your CV features any relevant qualifications, such as certifications in machinery operation or production management, and don’t forget about any specific systems or software you’re familiar with. This can really set you apart!
Emphasise Teamwork and Communication:Working in manufacturing often means being part of a larger team. Highlight your experience in collaborative projects or environments where communication was key. Maybe you have experience with lean manufacturing principles? Talk about how you worked with your team to improve productivity and maintain quality.
Tailor Your Cover Letter to the Company:Don’t just recycle an old cover letter! Take the time to tailor your cover letter to Elite Talent Hub specifically. Mention what excites you about their production processes or products, and how your previous experiences can contribute to their goals. We want to see your enthusiasm for the role!
Use Concrete Examples of Your Achievements:When detailing your work experience, include measurable achievements that can demonstrate your impact. Whether it’s improving efficiency by a certain percentage or successfully leading a project, these specifics can make a huge difference. Numbers speak volumes in the manufacturing world!
How to prepare for a job interview at Elite Talent Hub
✨Know Your Manufacturing Processes
Before you walk into the interview with Elite Talent Hub, brush up on the specific manufacturing processes relevant to the role. Understanding lean manufacturing principles or quality control techniques could give you a solid edge to discuss how you’d fit into their operations.
✨Technical Questions Are Key
Be prepared for technical questions around machinery, production scheduling, or materials handling. Make sure you can confidently explain how you've dealt with these in past experiences or internships. Knowing industry-specific software could also be a big plus!
✨Showcase Your Problem-Solving Skills
Manufacturing environments often focus on continuous improvement. Be ready to discuss specific instances where you’ve solved a production issue or implemented a process improvement. It’s all about demonstrating your analytical thinking and hands-on approach.
✨Align Your Values with Quality and Safety
In a full-time role, companies like Elite Talent Hub value commitment to quality and safety. Be prepared to discuss how you prioritise these factors in your work. It’s about showing that you’re not just looking for a job, but that you genuinely care about contributing positively to their production environment.
