Plant Manager in Newton Aycliffe

Location: Newton Aycliffe, Durham, United Kingdom Job ID: R0143765 Date Posted: 2026-09-03 Company Name: Hitachi Rail UK Limited Profession (Job Category): Production & Skilled Trades Job Schedule: Full time Remote: No

About Us

A career at Hitachi Rail will help create a legacy. With operations in every corner of the world, our work goes to the cutting‑edge of digital transformation and technology. From the multi-cultural strength of our global organisation to the sustainable and innovative ways we work to bring people together, there’s something for everyone to get stuck into. And that’s where you come in.

Your New Role

As Plant Manager, you will take overall responsibility for one of the UK's most advanced rail manufacturing facilities, leading the delivery of complex vehicle manufacturing programmes from our Newton Aycliffe site. Reporting to the Senior Director Manufacturing Vehicles, this is a highly visible and business‑critical leadership role. You will lead a large multi‑disciplinary organisation of approximately 500 employees and be responsible for ensuring operational excellence across manufacturing, planning, project manufacturing management and site maintenance functions. As a key member of the UK Executive leadership team, you will play a pivotal role in shaping and delivering strategic objectives, driving operational performance, developing high‑performing teams, and ensuring the successful delivery of world‑class rail vehicles to our customers.

Some Key Responsibilities

• Lead all manufacturing operations at the Newton Aycliffe facility, ensuring safe, efficient and high‑quality delivery of customer programmes.
• Drive performance across productivity, quality, cost, delivery and operational excellence measures.
• Provide inspirational leadership to a diverse team of senior leaders and managers, developing capability and fostering a culture of accountability and continuous improvement.
• Own and manage a significant operational budget while delivering agreed financial and business performance targets.
• Oversee internal programme delivery, ensuring projects are executed to cost, quality and schedule commitments.
• Champion Health, Safety, Environmental and Quality standards, creating a culture where safety is always the highest priority.
• Build strong relationships with customers, trade unions, employee representatives and key stakeholders across the business.
• Collaborate with global manufacturing teams across Europe, Japan and North America to drive innovation, best practice and continuous improvement.
• Lead organisational planning and resource strategies that support both current and future business requirements.
• Create a positive and engaging working environment aligned to Hitachi's values of Harmony, Sincerity and Pioneering Spirit.

About You

You are an accomplished senior leader with a proven track record of leading complex manufacturing operations within engineering, industrial, automotive, aerospace, rail or similarly regulated environments. You will bring exceptional leadership capability, commercial awareness and operational expertise, with the ability to inspire large teams whilst consistently delivering against demanding business objectives.

We are looking for someone who has:

• Significant senior leadership experience within a complex manufacturing and/or engineering organisation.
• A strong record of delivering results across quality, cost, delivery and operational performance metrics.
• Experience leading large, multi‑functional teams in a high‑volume or high‑value manufacturing environment.
• Strong stakeholder management and employee relations experience, including working with trade unions and employee representative bodies.
• The ability to think strategically while maintaining a focus on day‑to‑day operational execution.
• Excellent communication, influencing and decision‑making skills.
• A passion for developing people, building high‑performing teams and creating an engaging workplace culture.
• Degree‑level qualification in Engineering, Manufacturing or a related discipline, or equivalent experience.
• Experience of SAP and Six Sigma methodologies would be advantageous.

Why Join Hitachi Rail?

This is a unique opportunity to lead one of the UK's most important rail manufacturing facilities at a time of continued transformation and growth. You will have the opportunity to make a significant impact on the future of manufacturing, contribute to major transportation programmes and work alongside talented colleagues across our global network. If you are a strategic manufacturing leader who thrives in complex environments and is passionate about delivering operational excellence, we'd love to hear from you.

What We Offer

• Competitive salary
• Potential opportunity for annual performance‑related bonus
• 25 days holiday
• Pension scheme with contributions up to 9%
• Private medical insurance
• Personal Accident Insurance
• Group Income Protection
• Group Life Insurance
• Employee Assistance Programme

We value the importance of all our employees and, when you join our fantastic organisation, you could be entitled to: Competitive salary Potential opportunity for annual performance‑related bonus 25 days holiday Pension scheme with contributions up to 9% Private medical insurance Personal Accident Insurance Group Income Protection Group Life Insurance Employee Assistance Programme We also offer additional benefits through our flexible benefits platform, allowing you to tailor rewards to suit your lifestyle.

At Hitachi Rail, there is a place for everyone. We welcome and value differences in background, age, gender, sexuality, family status, disability, race, nationality, ethnicity, religion, and world view.

It is our commitment to create an inclusive environment - we are proud to be an equal opportunity employer.

We would be delighted if you would be one of our followers at https://www.linkedin.com/company/hitachirail

Hitachi brings together the world’s greatest minds to help breathe life into new possibilities – and drive innovation for a better future. That’s why we look for individuals who share our pioneering spirit, have imaginative ideas and are fearless when it comes to tackling the world’s biggest challenges.

Our people love technology – and they love making a difference. They have a passion for finding new solutions and working with brilliant colleagues. Every day they dedicate themselves to a huge range of exciting projects, contributing to the Hitachi vision around the globe. From engineering new sustainability solutions that conserve water and energy to creating the infrastructure for the smart cities of tomorrow, there’s no challenge too great for our pioneers. And there’s no shortage of opportunities for you to make a difference. Come and experience the dynamic, collaborative and creative environments where your ideas are welcome and new discoveries are waiting. To help you grow to your full potential, we strive to support our employees in their career aspirations and promote the freedom to explore new horizons.

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