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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead site operations, drive performance, and champion safety and quality standards.
- Company: Wavin, part of Orbia, focused on sustainable solutions for healthier communities.
- Benefits: Collaborative environment, career development, and the chance to make a real impact.
- Why this job: Shape the future of manufacturing while leading high-performing teams in a dynamic setting.
- Qualifications: Engineering background with experience in automation-heavy, unionized environments.
- Other info: Join a global network of innovators dedicated to advancing life around the world.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ per year.
Wavin, an Orbia business
Location: Chippenham, UK
Full-time | Leadership Role
At Wavin, part of Orbia's Building & Infrastructure (B&I) business group, we’re driven by a clear purpose: to create sustainable, innovative solutions that help build healthier, more resilient environments for communities around the world. We’re now looking for a dynamic Senior Plant Manager to lead our site operations and make a tangible impact. This is a pivotal leadership role where you’ll take full ownership of plant performance — driving operational excellence, ensuring the highest standards of safety and quality, and leading a high-performing team across production, maintenance, and supply chain.
This is an exciting opportunity for a results-oriented leader to shape the future of our manufacturing operations. You’ll play a key role in optimizing processes, improving efficiency, and fostering a culture of continuous improvement, all while working alongside a collaborative and forward-thinking leadership team.
About the role
As our Senior Plant Manager, you will be the driving force behind our site’s performance — leading, inspiring, and empowering teams to deliver outstanding operational results. Acting as a key leader on site, you’ll shape direction, influence outcomes, and ensure our plant operates safely, efficiently, and at the highest level of quality. In this role, you will:
- Lead and direct all site operations to meet output, cost, and quality targets
- Champion a zero-accident safety culture across the site
- Develop and execute a long-term strategy to build a world-class operations environment
- Manage and coach the Site Management Team, fostering a high-performance culture
- Drive year-on-year cost reduction through continuous improvement initiatives
- Oversee operational budgets and ensure efficient resource utilization
- Maintain full compliance with quality systems, procedures, and industry standards
- Lead employee engagement initiatives and foster strong union relationships
- Build collaborative relationships with internal stakeholders, customers, and suppliers
About you
- Engineering background
- Proven experience leading in automation-heavy and unionized manufacturing environments
- Strong track record in safety, quality, and cost management
- Experience negotiating with trade unions and managing complex site dynamics
- High-level financial and commercial acumen, including budget ownership
- Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills
- Ability to engage, develop, and align teams toward shared goals
- Comfortable navigating fast-paced, high-performance environments
- Skilled at balancing strategic vision with practical execution
Why Join Us
At Wavin, you’ll be part of a global network of innovators and problem-solvers, united by a shared purpose: to advance life around the world. As a Senior Plant Manager, you’ll play a critical role in delivering that purpose — leading a site that drives operational excellence, innovation, and sustainable manufacturing.
We offer a collaborative, performance-driven environment where your leadership truly makes an impact. You’ll have the opportunity to develop high-performing teams, drive continuous improvement, and shape the future of our operations, all while advancing your own career within a global organisation.
Ready to lead from the front and make a lasting impact? Apply now and help us build smarter, more efficient, and more sustainable manufacturing — powering resilient communities for the future.
Senior Plant Manager in Chippenham employer: Wavin UK, an Orbia business
Contact Detail:
Wavin UK, an Orbia business Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Plant Manager in Chippenham
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the industry, attend relevant events, and don’t be shy about letting people know you’re on the lookout for a Senior Plant Manager role. You never know who might have the inside scoop on an opportunity!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching Wavin and its values. Understand their commitment to sustainability and operational excellence. This will help you tailor your responses and show that you’re not just a fit for the role, but also for the company culture.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your leadership stories! Be ready to share specific examples of how you’ve driven operational excellence, managed teams, and improved processes in previous roles. This will demonstrate your capability to lead at Wavin.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in joining our team at Wavin and making a difference in the manufacturing world.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Plant Manager in Chippenham
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV reflects the skills and experiences that align with the Senior Plant Manager role. Highlight your leadership experience, especially in automation-heavy and unionized environments, to show us you’re the right fit.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to tell us why you're passionate about operational excellence and how your background makes you the perfect candidate for this pivotal role at Wavin.
Showcase Your Achievements: Don’t just list your responsibilities; share specific achievements that demonstrate your impact in previous roles. We want to see how you've driven cost reductions and improved safety standards in your past positions.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates during the process!
How to prepare for a job interview at Wavin UK, an Orbia business
✨Know Your Numbers
As a Senior Plant Manager, you'll need to demonstrate your financial acumen. Brush up on key metrics related to plant performance, such as cost reduction percentages and efficiency improvements. Be ready to discuss how you've driven these numbers in past roles.
✨Safety First
Wavin champions a zero-accident safety culture, so be prepared to share specific examples of how you've implemented safety initiatives in previous positions. Highlight any successful safety programmes you've led and the impact they had on team morale and productivity.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Style
This role requires strong leadership skills, so think about how you engage and develop teams. Prepare anecdotes that illustrate your coaching style and how you've fostered high-performance cultures in unionised environments. Authenticity is key!
✨Be Ready for Scenario Questions
Expect questions that assess your problem-solving abilities in complex site dynamics. Prepare for hypothetical scenarios where you might need to negotiate with trade unions or manage operational challenges. Practise articulating your thought process clearly and confidently.