Industrialisation Manager in Blackburn

Founded in 1975, with its head office in Blackburn, England, PPE operates manufacturing facilities in the UK and the US, plus sales offices and Channel Partner networks across the US, Europe and Asia. PPE manufactures high-performance O-rings and sealing components using advanced elastomer materials and precision designs that extend equipment life. Seals are critical to the function of industrial systems, and PPE’s solutions are trusted in the most demanding environments. Today, PPE offers over 200 elastomer grades used globally across industries such as oil & gas, chemical processing, food and pharma manufacturing, marine and power generation, aerospace, and semiconductors. The company’s success is built on the continual development of new elastomer materials combined with exceptional levels of customer service and technical support.

PRIMARY FUNCTION

The Industrialisation Manager leads the team responsible for implementing and optimising manufacturing processes during new product and material introduction and continuous improvement initiatives. This role ensures that industrialisation activities meet quality, safety, and efficiency standards while driving process excellence across production operations. This position is being offered on a fixed‑term basis to provide maternity cover for a period of up to 15 months.

REPORTS TO

Site Leader

TYPICAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Leadership & Team Management – Manage and develop a team of Industrialization Specialists, providing guidance, coaching, and performance feedback.
• Strategic Planning – Define industrialisation strategies aligned with business objectives and production goals.
• Process Implementation – Oversee the introduction of new processes and technologies into manufacturing operations.
• Documentation & Compliance – Ensure that SOPs, work instructions, and process documentation are accurate, compliant, and maintained.
• Continuous Improvement – Drive Lean and Six Sigma initiatives to improve compliance, efficiency, reduce waste, and enhance quality.
• Cross Functional Collaboration – Partner with cross‑functional teams to resolve process issues and support NPI projects.
• Metrics & Reporting – Monitor KPIs for industrialisation activities and report progress to senior leadership.

PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES

• Strong Leadership – Able to inspire, motivate, and guide a team toward collective goals while fostering a positive, inclusive work environment.
• Empathy – Listens effectively and responds constructively to the needs of team members, building trusting relationships.
• Communication – An excellent communicator who can articulate ideas and complex technical information clearly, to technical and non‑technical colleagues.
• People Development – A genuine interest in the career growth of team members, providing coaching, feedback, and opportunities to develop others.
• Collaboration – Works effectively with cross‑functional teams to ensure alignment and shared goals across the organisation.
• Accountability – Takes responsibility for actions and their consequences.

EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS

• Proven experience in manufacturing, industrialisation, or process engineering leadership.
• Strong knowledge of production workflows, quality standards (ISO, GMP), and process improvement methodologies.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and stakeholder management skills.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and prioritise effectively.
• Proficiency in ERP/MES systems and data analysis tools is essential.

IDEAL BACKGROUND

• Degree in Engineering, Manufacturing, or related field (preferred).
• Experience managing teams in a manufacturing or industrialised environment.
• Lean Six Sigma certification (desirable).