At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and optimise sawmill operations while ensuring safety and efficiency.
- Company: Join a leading manufacturing company focused on operational excellence.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, career development opportunities, and a supportive work environment.
- Other info: Collaborative culture with strong growth potential and cross-site coordination.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a dynamic industry with a focus on innovation and teamwork.
- Qualifications: 5+ years in plant management with a background in engineering or operations.
The predicted salary is between 42750 - 52250 £ 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
- Working closely with SHEQ Manager, ensure appropriate policies, procedures, staff and processes are in place to meet the safety, health environment, and quality assurance standards.
Actively promoting and prioritising a safe working environment.
- Develop the sawmill production plan to maximise the return to the business from the sawmill, working closely with Forestry and Sales managers.
- Contribute to the development of the overall production strategy for the Group. Monitoring the production performance against the budget through a set of agreed KPIs.
- Drive efficiencies at all levels in the sawmill, through short/medium term projects.
Driving standardisation of approaches, practices and reporting across the sawmill through a culture of continuous improvement.
- Lead and support the people agenda on site from a recruitment, onboarding, development and colleague engagement perspective in conjunction with HR.
- Ensure robust operational governance through effective daily, weekly and periodic production review forums.
- Form strong working relationships with supervisors to support them in their roles and to enable them to share knowledge and best practices.
- Contribute to the development of the capital investment and the implementation of capital and NPD projects.
- Oversee smooth and efficient operations across the sawmill from log intake through primary and secondary production.
Developing a strong culture of operational excellence and continuous improvement.
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
- Contract Type Permanent
- Headcount Plant Dependent 5/7 Direct Report and Team Dependent on Requirements
- Budget Authority within agreed budgets and capital approval thresholds
- Hours Full time, 40 hours per week
- Working Week Monday to Friday
- #J-18808-Ljbffr
General/Plant Manager Operations · Windymains employer: Glennon Brothers Group
As a Credit Controller at our Troon location, you will be part of a dynamic finance team that values accuracy and collaboration. We offer a supportive work culture that encourages professional growth through continuous improvement initiatives and cross-functional teamwork, ensuring you have the tools and opportunities to excel in your role. With a focus on maintaining healthy cash flow and efficient processes, you'll find meaningful and rewarding employment in a company that prioritises employee development and operational excellence.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land General/Plant Manager Operations · Windymains
✨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 Glennon Brothers Group, 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/Plant Manager Operations · Windymains
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 Glennon Brothers Group 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 Glennon Brothers Group
✨Know Your Manufacturing Processes
Before you walk into the interview with Glennon Brothers Group, 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 Glennon Brothers Group 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.
