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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead daily operations, drive improvements, and ensure production targets are met.
- Company: Established engineering manufacturer with a strong global presence.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, career growth opportunities, and a dynamic work environment.
- Why this job: Be a key leader in a technically demanding role and make a real impact.
- Qualifications: Experience in plant management or similar roles, with strong leadership skills.
- Other info: Join a collaborative team focused on continuous improvement and operational excellence.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
A well established engineering manufacturer in Greater Manchester is searching for a proven Plant Manager to take ownership of day to day operational performance while driving improvements across production, planning and people leadership. This is a key site within a global group, with solid order books, strong technical capability and a clear operational agenda for the next phase.
You’ll be the senior figure on site, working closely with programme leaders and project scheduling teams to ensure customer commitments are met in full and on time. The role demands someone who can blend structured operational leadership with hands on engagement, guiding a multi skilled workforce through continuous improvement, safety, efficiency and quality expectations.
What you’ll be responsible for:
- Full operational leadership of the site, covering production, planning, engineering support, quality and HSE.
- Working closely with project scheduling and programme management teams to translate customer demand into accurate plans and executable schedules.
- Ensuring production targets, OTIF delivery and quality metrics are consistently achieved.
- Leading, coaching and developing team leaders and supervisors, setting clear expectations and strengthening accountability across the plant.
- Identifying and delivering operational improvement activity, including process optimisation, waste reduction and better workflow management.
- Maintaining a safe, compliant, well organised factory environment that meets both internal standards and external regulatory expectations.
- Supporting wider business initiatives, including NPI activity, cost reduction, reliability improvement and operational readiness for future programme demands.
- Acting as the senior presence on site, representing the facility with internal stakeholders and collaborating with the wider group operations network.
Background you’ll need:
- Strong experience in a Plant Manager, Operations Manager or similar senior operational role within engineering or manufacturing.
- Comfortable operating in a technically led environment, ideally with low to medium volume, high complexity assembly or engineered products.
- Proven ability to work with project teams, programme leaders and planning functions to align operational output with customer delivery schedules.
- Track record of improving performance across safety, quality, productivity and cost.
- Natural leader who builds trust, strengthens teams, and brings clarity and structure to operations.
- Engineering qualification Degree or equivalent technical background.
- Confident communicator who can influence across functions and hold senior stakeholders’ attention when it matters.
If you’re an experienced operational leader who thrives in a technically demanding environment and wants to take on a key site leadership role, this one is worth exploring.
Plant Manager in Manchester employer: Parkinson | Lee Executive Search
Contact Detail:
Parkinson | Lee Executive Search Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Plant Manager in Manchester
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the engineering and manufacturing sectors. Attend industry events or join relevant online groups. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its culture. Understand their operational challenges and think about how your experience as a Plant Manager can help them overcome these. Tailor your responses to show you’re the perfect fit for their specific needs.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your leadership skills! During interviews, share examples of how you've successfully led teams through improvements in safety, quality, and efficiency. Highlight your ability to build trust and strengthen teams, as this is crucial for a senior role.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! We’ve got some fantastic opportunities waiting for you. Plus, it’s a great way to ensure your application gets the attention it deserves. Let’s get you that Plant Manager role!
We think you need these skills to ace Plant Manager in Manchester
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV speaks directly to the Plant Manager role. Highlight your experience in operational leadership, production planning, and team development. We want to see how your background aligns with our needs!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to tell us why you're the perfect fit for this role. Share specific examples of how you've driven improvements in safety, quality, and efficiency in previous positions.
Showcase Your Leadership Skills: As a Plant Manager, you'll be leading a multi-skilled workforce. Make sure to highlight your leadership style and any successful initiatives you've implemented to develop teams and enhance accountability.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother application process. It helps us keep track of your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates from us!
How to prepare for a job interview at Parkinson | Lee Executive Search
✨Know Your Numbers
Before the interview, brush up on key performance metrics relevant to plant management. Be ready to discuss how you've improved safety, quality, and productivity in your previous roles. This shows you understand the importance of these metrics and can drive results.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Style
Prepare examples that highlight your leadership approach. Discuss how you've developed teams and fostered a culture of accountability. This is crucial for a role that requires guiding a multi-skilled workforce through continuous improvement.
✨Understand the Company’s Operations
Research the company’s operational agenda and recent projects. Being able to speak knowledgeably about their current challenges and how you can contribute will set you apart. It shows you're genuinely interested and ready to hit the ground running.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect questions that ask how you'd handle specific operational challenges. Think about past experiences where you successfully navigated similar situations. This will demonstrate your problem-solving skills and ability to manage complex environments.
