Interim Operations Manager - (3 months initial contract with potential to extend) in Chirk

Recircle is a UK-based industrial recycling company focused on sustainable solutions for the rubber materials sector. We have developed new patented technology that allows previously discarded waste uncured rubber streams to be recovered and used again. Our novel industrial process is currently being engineered to allow waste rubber to be reprocessed into high-quality materials for re-use in new rubber goods at fully industrialised scale. We are committed to building a world without waste, and our company culture is central to everything we do. We invest heavily in our people, personal development, and long-term career growth opportunities.

We are currently looking for an Interim Operations Manager to lead our Green Rubber Pilot Plant Site in Wrexham. You will be joining us at an exciting time as we embark on a full upgrade of our pilot plant to produce large-scale customer samples and complete our engineering process validation work. Supported through an Innovate UK grant, you will help us deliver all innovation milestones, ready for a customer demonstration at the end of Mar’26. You will be supported by our highly motivated operations team of 4 staff and will work closely with our Operations Director, Mechanical Design Engineer, and Rubber Technology Manager.

We are looking for someone well-organised, passionate about sustainability, and committed to driving operational excellence while maintaining safety and efficiency.

Salary: We offer a competitive salary, dependent on experience.

Responsibilities:

• Deliver industrial size customer samples to customer specifications for testing.
• Lead the project implementation to optimise and expand Recircle's patented rubber recovery pilot plant.
• Ensure operational delivery of the Innovate UK Engineering Grant.
• Manage the budget and on-time delivery, coordinate and manage people and processes to ensure that our project is delivered on time and within budget.
• Validate the demonstration plant process parameters, evaluate mechanical and electrical designs, propose changes in the process design and operation, collate and analyse process reliability data, develop project plans, test and validate modifications, ensure adequate resource, recognise and remedy project challenges.

Specific duties will include:

• Manage delivery of small and industrial scale samples in full and to agreed delivery time frames and quality standards.
• Develop SOPs for the different substrates that will be handled.
• Take responsibility for installation of design improvements and process installation.
• Onsite project management/delivery of work packages per Innovate UK Contract.
• Validate (Innovate) process stage improvements with quantifiable OEE and Cpk performance improvement data.
• Support design activities with both resource and direct involvement with reviews.
• Rectify immediate machine performance issues and equipment failures.
• Manage process maintenance including monitoring and optimising scheduled and unscheduled recovery.
• Manage project opex budget control and support capex control where required.
• Ensure that all projects are delivered on-time, within scope and within budget in accordance with the project plans.
• Report and escalate deviations and developing issues to management.
• Perform and review risk management where required to minimise project risks.
• Maintain relationships with third parties/vendors/subcontractors.
• Maintain comprehensive project documentation including instructions for modular install, assessments, and operating training and instructions.

Key Requirements:

• Project planning and project management experience.
• Excellent client-facing and internal communication skills, both written and verbal.
• Experience in the design of processes and machinery from proof of concept.
• Self-starter with good leadership skills.
• Ability to deliver key milestones by being agile and innovative to resolve technical challenges.
• Use appropriate verification techniques to manage changes in design and project scope, schedule and costs.
• Measure process performance using appropriate systems, tools and techniques.
• Experienced in the food and beverage industry including experience with fluid dynamics, pumping systems, drying systems, water filtration, material handling.
• Experience with industrial waste and/or recycling applications.
• Solid industrial electrical and mechanical technical background, with hands-on ‘can do’ approach to problem solving.
• Solid organisational skills including attention to detail and multi-tasking skills with ability to lead a process team directly.
• Solid IT skills, including fluency with Microsoft Excel and CAD packages are essential.