At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead manufacturing operations, ensuring safety and driving continuous improvement.
- Company: Join Huntsman, a people-oriented company with a collaborative culture.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, diverse team environment, and opportunities for career growth.
- Other info: Be part of a multicultural team that values fresh ideas and innovation.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a dynamic industry while developing high-performing teams.
- Qualifications: Degree in engineering and proven leadership experience in chemical manufacturing.
The predicted salary is between 65000 - 80000 £ per year.
Huntsman is seeking an experienced Operations Manager to join our Polyurethanes business at the Wilton Site, operating within an Upper-Tier COMAH manufacturing environment. This is a key leadership role responsible for ensuring safe, reliable, and efficient manufacturing operations while driving continuous improvement, operational excellence, and business performance.
As a member of the site leadership team, you will lead the manufacturing organisation, champion our EHS culture, and develop high-performing teams to deliver exceptional results. You will play a critical role in shaping operational strategy and supporting the future success of the site.
We are looking for a visible and inspiring leader who is passionate about developing people, improving performance, and maintaining the highest standards of safety and operational discipline.
Role Responsibilities:
- Leading the Wilton Manufacturing Organisation to achieve outstanding safety, environmental, quality, and operational performance.
- Ensuring the plant operates safely and efficiently while maintaining compliance with site procedures, regulatory requirements, and environmental permits.
- Driving a strong culture of EHS excellence, operational discipline, and continuous improvement.
- Maximising plant performance, reliability, and overall equipment effectiveness to meet business and customer requirements.
- Managing, coaching, and developing Shift Managers and the wider operations organisation to build capability, succession strength, and future talent.
- Leading operational cost control, productivity improvement initiatives, and performance management processes.
- Collaborating with Supply Chain, Maintenance, and Engineering teams to align manufacturing activities with site objectives.
- Providing operational and technical leadership to support safe, reliable, and effective plant operations.
- Ensuring plant modifications and capital projects meet operational and EHS standards.
- Maintaining accountability for the Safe Control of Work process and promoting a culture where safety always comes first.
- Acting as a key member of the Site Leadership Team and Site Duty Team, contributing to site-wide performance, governance, and leadership standards.
Experience and Competencies:
What we are looking for:
- Degree qualified in an appropriate engineering discipline, with Chartered Engineer status (or working towards chartership) desirable.
- Proven leadership experience within chemical manufacturing or a similarly regulated major hazard environment.
- Strong understanding of process safety, EHS compliance, operational risk management, and regulatory requirements.
- Demonstrated success delivering operational excellence through improvements in safety, reliability, productivity, and cost performance.
- Experience developing, coaching, and leading high-performing teams.
- Strong stakeholder management and communication skills, with the ability to influence across multiple functions and organisational levels.
- Experience leading organisational change and delivering sustainable business improvements.
- Proven ability to provide strategic and operational leadership within a complex manufacturing environment.
- Experience working within a unionised environment is desirable.
If you would like to join an innovative, collaborative and multicultural team, please apply now. Your application will be forwarded to a Talent Acquisition Partner, who will strive to get back to you as soon as they can. We understand that applying for a new job is a big decision and we will work hard to keep you updated and support you along the way.
At Huntsman, we pride ourselves on being a people-oriented organization. Our family-like atmosphere is cultivated by our diverse groups of team members around the world. We welcome the talent, experience and fresh ideas that employees at all stages of their careers, from interns to seasoned professionals, bring to Huntsman. In return, we offer you the opportunity to become an integral part of a dynamic, industry-leading company, where safety and ethics always come first.
Operations Manager employer: Huntsman Corporation
Huntsman is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic and transformation-focused work environment at our Duxford site in the UK. As an HR Manager, you will play a pivotal role in shaping the future of our manufacturing operations while benefiting from a culture that prioritises collaboration, employee growth, and strategic impact. With strong support for professional development and a commitment to improving organisational effectiveness, this position provides a unique opportunity to make a meaningful difference in a key location with significant growth potential.
