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- Tasks: Lead production operations and manage a large team in a dynamic manufacturing environment.
- Company: Join a market-leading company with a strong focus on safety and sustainability.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary package and a Monday to Friday day shift.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by driving safety, quality, and sustainability in production.
- Qualifications: Experience in heavy industry and strong people-management skills required.
- Other info: Be part of a collaborative culture with excellent career growth opportunities.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
Production / Manufacturing Facility
Market Leading Salary Package
Monday-Friday - Day Shift
About the role
Lead production across our clients operations, reporting directly to the Plant Manager. You'll manage a large, established team of around 60 people, with responsibility for a 24/7 process environment where safety, quality, and operational performance are critical.
This is a hands-on leadership role focused on delivering safe, reliable output while building a collaborative culture - leading through influence. You'll work closely with Maintenance and other stakeholders, take ownership of cost control and play a key part in their sustainability journey - one of the site's top priorities alongside safety.
Responsibilities
- Lead the day-to-day production and packing plant operations, ensuring safe, consistent 24/7 performance through effective leadership and handover routines.
- Manage and develop a team of up to 60 employees, including direct leadership of Production Coordinators, a Production Engineer, and an Administrator.
- Champion a positive, collaborative site culture - handling difficult conversations and decisions while avoiding overly directive, "bang the table" leadership styles.
- Drive a proactive safety culture across high-risk operations (e.g., high temperatures, chemical hazards, confined spaces), ensuring standards are maintained at all times.
- Own key production performance outcomes, balancing output, quality, and efficiency in a process/chemical manufacturing environment where product quality is critical.
- Lead the site's sustainability journey within production, identifying solutions and improvements as the business progresses toward lower CO2 impact operations.
- Plan and deliver the annual plant shutdown, ensuring safe execution, effective contractor management, cost control, and strong on-site leadership throughout the shutdown period.
- Manage fixed-cost budgets and contribute to variable cost control, ensuring robust financial discipline and reporting.
- Collaborate closely with maintenance and other functions to prioritise work, reduce operational risk, and support continuous improvement across the plant.
- Provide management-level decision-making and support out of hours when required to maintain safe, stable operations in a 24/7 manufacturing environment.
Requirements
- Must be from a heavy industry background such as steel, cement, chemical process plant.
- Strong people-management capability, with experience leading large operational teams (c. 50+), including handling difficult conversations and decisions.
- Solid technical understanding of process/production operations where product quality and process control are critical.
- Strong safety mindset and experience managing higher-risk environments (e.g., high temperatures, chemical hazards, confined spaces).
- Experience working cross-functionally with maintenance, engineering, and other stakeholders to maintain safe, reliable production.
- Track record of continuous improvement, with the ability to drive change in a collaborative, "team player" leadership style.
- Ability to support sustainability goals and contribute to an evolving sustainability journey within operations.
- Budget accountability experience, including fixed-cost control and contractor/contract management exposure (e.g., during shutdowns).
- Comfortable being the key decision-maker when issues arise out of hours, in support of a 24/7 operation.
This is a fantastic opportunity with a very well cultured business. If you are keen to hear more, please APPLY TODAY.
Production Manager in Derby employer: Escape Recruitment Services
Contact Detail:
Escape Recruitment Services Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Production Manager in Derby
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to industry contacts, attend events, and connect with people on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on a job opening or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its culture. Understand their values and how they align with your own. This will help you showcase why you're the perfect fit for their team!
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your leadership stories! Be ready to share examples of how you've successfully managed teams and handled tough situations. Highlight your collaborative approach and safety mindset to impress potential employers.
✨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 proactive about their job search!
We think you need these skills to ace Production Manager in Derby
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Production Manager role. Highlight your experience in heavy industry and your people-management skills. We want to see how you've led large teams and handled tough situations!
Showcase Your Safety Mindset: Since safety is a top priority, emphasise your experience in managing high-risk environments. Share specific examples of how you've championed safety in previous roles – we love a proactive approach!
Demonstrate Collaborative Leadership: We’re looking for someone who can build a positive culture. In your application, mention how you’ve successfully worked with cross-functional teams and led through influence rather than authority. Let us know how you handle difficult conversations!
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your application and get to know you better. We can’t wait to see what you bring to the table!
How to prepare for a job interview at Escape Recruitment Services
✨Know Your Production Inside Out
Before the interview, make sure you brush up on your knowledge of production processes, especially in heavy industries like steel or chemicals. Be ready to discuss specific examples from your past experience that demonstrate your understanding of safety, quality, and operational performance.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Style
This role requires a hands-on leader who can manage a large team effectively. Prepare to share stories about how you've built a collaborative culture and handled difficult conversations. Highlight your ability to lead through influence rather than authority.
✨Emphasise Safety and Sustainability
Given the focus on safety and sustainability in this role, come prepared with examples of how you've championed safety initiatives and contributed to sustainability goals in previous positions. Discuss any specific projects or improvements you've led that reduced CO2 impact.
✨Be Ready for Budget Discussions
Since budget accountability is key, be prepared to talk about your experience managing fixed-cost budgets and contractor management during shutdowns. Have examples ready that illustrate your financial discipline and decision-making skills in a 24/7 operational environment.