Site Manager in Wells

We are recruiting a Site Manager at our Factory & Warehouse in Somerset.

Key Responsibilities

• Operational Leadership
  • Oversee daily factory and warehouse operations, ensuring production schedules, inventory flows, and dispatch targets are met.
  • Coordinate cross‑functional teams to maintain smooth end‑to‑end operations across production, maintenance, logistics, and quality.
  • Monitor KPIs such as throughput, OEE, stock accuracy, order fulfilment, downtime, and lifting‑equipment utilisation.
  • Ensure optimal use of plant, equipment, warehouse space, and chemical storage areas.
• Health, Safety, Environment & Compliance
  • Act as the site’s senior HSE lead, ensuring full compliance with legislation, permits, and internal policies.
  • Maintain a robust safety culture through training, audits, incident investigations, and proactive risk reduction.
  • Oversee chemical safety, including correct classification, labelling, segregation, storage, spill response, and safe handling procedures.
  • Ensure compliance with chemical regulations, SDS management, bunding, ventilation, and PPE requirements.
  • Lead safe systems of work for manual handling and mechanical lifting, including risk assessments, lifting plans, equipment inspections, and operator competency.
  • Ensure all documentation, inspections, and certifications for lifting equipment (forklifts, hoists, cranes, pallet stackers) are maintained.
• People Management
  • Lead, coach, and develop operational teams, including supervisors, technicians, and warehouse staff.
  • Manage staffing levels, shift patterns, performance reviews, and skills development.
  • Promote a culture of accountability, safety, and continuous improvement, with emphasis on chemical awareness and safe lifting behaviours.
• Quality & Regulatory Assurance
  • Ensure production and storage activities meet quality standards and regulatory requirements.
  • Maintain traceability, batch records, and documentation integrity.
  • Work with Quality teams to resolve non‑conformances, including those related to chemical contamination, spills, or handling errors.
• Planning & Logistics
  • Oversee inbound materials, internal movements, and outbound logistics.
  • Ensure accurate inventory control, stock rotation, and warehouse housekeeping, with special controls for chemical segregation and temperature‑sensitive materials.
  • Collaborate with supply chain teams on forecasting, procurement, and transport planning, including ADR‑compliant movements where applicable.
• Asset & Maintenance Oversight
  • Ensure equipment reliability through planned maintenance and rapid response to breakdowns.
  • Oversee maintenance of chemical storage systems (bunds, extraction, dosing systems) and lifting equipment.
  • Support capital projects, upgrades, and commissioning of new equipment, ensuring chemical and lifting safety are embedded in design.
• Financial & Governance Responsibilities
  • Manage site budgets, cost controls, and operational expenditure.
  • Provide accurate reporting to senior management on performance, risks, and improvement plans, including chemical inventory risks and lifting‑equipment compliance.
  • Lead or support audits, regulatory inspections, and board‑level reviews.
• Continuous Improvement
  • Drive Lean, 5S, Kaizen, and other improvement methodologies.
  • Identify opportunities to improve safety, efficiency, quality, and cost, with specific focus on chemical handling processes and lifting operations.
  • Lead change management initiatives across the site.

Skills, Experience & Competencies

Essential

• Proven leadership experience in manufacturing, warehousing, or industrial operations.
• Strong understanding of HSE regulations, risk management, and safe systems of work.
• Demonstrated experience managing chemical safety, including storage, handling, and emergency response.
• Competence in manual handling and mechanical lifting operations, including equipment oversight and operator training.
• Experience managing teams in a fast‑paced, multi‑shift environment.
• Knowledge of production processes, logistics flows, and inventory management.
• Ability to manage budgets, contractors, and capital projects.

Desirable

• Qualifications in engineering, operations management, logistics, or chemical safety.
• Experience with ERP/WMS systems.
• Training in Lean, Six Sigma, or continuous improvement methodologies.
• Experience in regulated industries such as chemical manufacturing, environmental services, food, or pharmaceuticals.

Key Behaviours

• Decisive leadership with a calm, structured approach under pressure.
• Strong communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Commitment to safety, quality, and operational discipline, especially in chemical and lifting environments.
• Proactive problem‑solving and continuous improvement mindset.
• Ability to balance strategic thinking with hands‑on operational presence.

Benefits

• Company pension
• Free parking
• On-site parking