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- Tasks: Lead production and health & safety at our clay brick manufacturing site.
- Company: Wienerberger is a global leader in building materials, enhancing construction quality and sustainability.
- Benefits: Enjoy an annual bonus, private medical cover, and flexible benefits including extra holidays.
- Why this job: Join a dynamic team, foster a positive culture, and make a real impact in the industry.
- Qualifications: Experience in manufacturing leadership, strong communication skills, and a passion for coaching others.
- Other info: Flexibility for occasional UK travel; company car/allowance provided.
The predicted salary is between 48000 - 72000 £ per year.
Location: Sandown Works, 175 Stubbers Green Road, Aldridge, Walsall, WS9 8BL
Job Summary
Internationally successful: The Wienerberger Group. Come and join us as a Plant Manager at our Sandown site in Aldridge, Walsall! Wienerberger is a leading international provider of building materials and infrastructure solutions, improving quality of life and shaping the future of construction. Join our leadership team as a Plant Manager at our Sandown site, where you will set high standards for production and health & safety, develop your team, and foster a positive culture. Our Sandown site manufactures clay bricks for the construction industry, and you will be working in a heavy industry environment with both quarry and factory-based activities.
As Plant Manager, you will lead the site to achieve operational production targets and meet customer demand. You will ensure safe working practices, encourage employee engagement, and promote continuous improvement. You will oversee the entire site with support from a management team focused on engineering, production, process, quarry activity, and site administration. A key focus will be reducing production/quality losses through problem-solving and continuous improvement activities, delivering year-on-year cost improvements.
You will also:
- Contribute to our manufacturing vision, strategy, and procedures to enhance operational performance.
- Foster a lean manufacturing culture.
- Ensure high customer service levels by meeting production targets and quality standards.
- Optimise working capital projects to meet business goals, improve plant performance, and reduce costs.
- Focus on plant reliability and AM/PM maintenance.
- Take financial accountability for budgets and forecasts.
- Ensure legal compliance (PPC, environmental emissions, H&S).
- Set objectives for direct reports and establish department KPIs.
The role is plant-based but will require flexibility for occasional travel across the UK. A company car/allowance is provided. Hours of Work: 8.00am to 5.00pm, Monday to Friday.
About You
You will be an experienced leader in the manufacturing sector, confident in managing large teams. You will either have Plant Manager experience, or, you will have strong production leadership experience and looking to step up to Plant Manager level. You will have a passion for coaching and developing others, strong leadership skills, and exceptional Health & Safety awareness.
You will also have:
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
- Experience managing financial budgets and capex.
- Strong organizational and planning skills.
- Ability to analyse and use numerical data for decision-making.
- Knowledge of preventative maintenance systems and plant reliability.
- Familiarity with lean manufacturing and problem-solving techniques (FMEA, RCA, DMAIC, 5WHYs).
- Resilience and ability to achieve goals and meet deadlines.
Desirable, but not essential:
- Experience working in a heavy industry environment.
- Degree qualified (or equivalent training/experience) in engineering, science, operations, or business management.
- NEBOSH Certificate or IOSH qualification.
About our Benefits
- Annual bonus.
- Private medical cover.
- Professional growth, training, and opportunities to hone your skills and knowledge.
- Ability to purchase additional holidays.
- Company Pension SIP – ability to become a shareholder via our Share Scheme.
- Life Assurance.
- Flexible benefits offering (including health, wellbeing, and money saving opportunities).
About us
With our 19,000 employees at 216 locations in 28 countries, we improve the lives of people all over the world. Our products and system solutions enable energy-efficient, healthy, climate-friendly, and affordable living. So what are you waiting for? Come and join Wienerberger as a Plant Manager and start growing your career with us today!
The closing date for this role is subject to change and may be closed earlier than advertised.
Plant Manager employer: Wienerberger
Contact Detail:
Wienerberger Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Plant Manager
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with lean manufacturing principles and problem-solving techniques like FMEA and DMAIC. This knowledge will not only help you in interviews but also demonstrate your commitment to continuous improvement, which is crucial for the Plant Manager role.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with professionals in the manufacturing sector, especially those with experience in heavy industry environments. Attend industry events or join relevant online forums to connect with potential colleagues and gain insights into the challenges and expectations of a Plant Manager.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss your leadership style and how you've successfully managed large teams in the past. Be ready to share specific examples of how you've fostered a positive culture and engaged employees, as these are key aspects of the role at Wienerberger.
✨Tip Number 4
Research Wienerberger's values and recent projects to understand their vision and operational goals. Tailoring your conversation around their objectives during interviews will show that you're genuinely interested in contributing to their success as a Plant Manager.
We think you need these skills to ace Plant Manager
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience in manufacturing and leadership. Emphasise any previous roles where you managed teams, improved production processes, or ensured health and safety compliance.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: In your cover letter, express your passion for the role and the industry. Mention specific achievements that demonstrate your ability to lead a team and improve operational performance, particularly in a heavy industry environment.
Highlight Relevant Skills: Clearly outline your skills related to financial management, organisational abilities, and problem-solving techniques. Use examples to illustrate how you've applied these skills in past roles, especially in relation to lean manufacturing.
Showcase Your Leadership Style: Discuss your approach to coaching and developing team members. Provide examples of how you've fostered a positive culture and engaged employees in previous positions, as this is crucial for the Plant Manager role.
How to prepare for a job interview at Wienerberger
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As a Plant Manager, you'll be leading large teams. Be prepared to discuss your leadership style and provide examples of how you've successfully managed teams in the past. Highlight any coaching or mentoring experiences that demonstrate your ability to develop others.
✨Demonstrate Your Knowledge of Lean Manufacturing
Familiarity with lean manufacturing principles is crucial for this role. Brush up on techniques like FMEA, RCA, DMAIC, and 5WHYs. Be ready to discuss how you've implemented these methods in previous roles to improve efficiency and reduce waste.
✨Prepare for Financial Discussions
You'll need to manage budgets and forecasts, so be prepared to talk about your experience with financial accountability. Bring examples of how you've successfully managed costs and improved plant performance through financial strategies.
✨Emphasise Health & Safety Awareness
Health and safety are paramount in a heavy industry environment. Be ready to discuss your approach to ensuring safe working practices and any relevant qualifications, such as NEBOSH or IOSH. Share specific instances where you improved safety standards in your previous roles.
