Head of Operations​/Plant Manager

Head of Operations | Plant Manager | Production Manager | Operations Manager | People Leadership

An excellent People-Leadership Role Within a Stable, High-Performing Manufacturing Operation

Location:

South Yorkshire / North Midlands (Peak District border) - commutable from East Midlands / South Yorkshire / South Cheshire / Staffordshire, or Relocation Assistance Available

£80,000 - £90,000 + 25% Bonus + Car Allowance + Executive Benefits

This is a planned succession appointment within a large-scale, energy-intensive manufacturing operation that is already stable, commercially successful, and well-invested. The current site leader is staying in the business in a Continuous Improvement capacity, and will support a structured handover.

This is not a turnaround, and it is not primarily a technical role - the team already has strong technical depth. What the business needs is a visible, credible people leader who can build accountability, structure and confidence into a talented but currently under‑developed leadership layer, and move the operation from a reactive, firefighting culture to a proactive, well‑run one.

• Production Manager, Senior Production Manager, or Manufacturing Manager ready for a broader multi‑site leadership role
• Operations Manager, Plant Manager or Deputy Plant Manager seeking a genuine next step
• Candidates from heavy process manufacturing, industrial minerals, cement, chemicals, or industrial manufacturing
• Candidates from heavy industrial processing, FMCG, consumer goods, brewing or other traditional manufacturing environments who have led shift managers and are ready to lead a leadership team
• Suited to a leader who is ambitious to progress further within a growing business, or one who is looking to bring proven leadership experience to a stable, rewarding senior role for the long term

• Genuine presence, energy and the ability to engage and inspire a close, family‑style team - this is a nurturing, coaching leadership style, not a dictatorial one
• A track record of developing supervisors and managers into confident, accountable leaders - including real, specific examples of succession planning and building bench strength
• The ability to move a team from reactive problem‑solving to proactive, structured performance management
• Experience managing managers (not just individual operators or tradespeople) across production, maintenance or engineering‑adjacent teams
• Comfort operating in a unionised, highly visible, site‑based environment
• Willingness to be the first point of contact for the (infrequent) out‑of‑hours issue

• Leadership of a multi‑site, high‑volume manufacturing operation (circa £100m+ turnover)
• Building leadership capability, accountability and succession depth across the operational team
• Day‑to‑day operational, safety, quality and cost performance
• Working closely with a strong existing technical/engineering team - you do not need to be the technical expert
• Supporting continuous improvement and capital investment programmes already underway

The operation is already fundamentally sound. Success here is about unlocking the capability that already exists in the team - building a leadership layer that no longer depends on one individual to hold it all together, and creating a visible, structured, proactive way of running the operation day to day.

Candidates should be within a reasonable commute of the South Yorkshire / North Midlands (Peak District border) region, or willing to relocate. This is a genuinely attractive part of the country to live in, with more affordable housing than many candidates expect, and a relocation package is available to support the right candidate.

• 25% bonus (non‑contractual, based on company performance)
• Pension: 5% employee / 10% employer
• Private medical insurance (family cover)
• Company car or car allowance (£625/month)
• Share save scheme, Reward Gateway benefits platform
• Smart Tech and Cycle to Work salary sacrifice schemes

To explore this opportunity in complete confidence, please apply with a detailed CV. All applications will be handled with strict confidentiality.

• Manufacturing
• Succession Planning
• Leadership
• Mechanical Engineering
• Electrical Engineering
• Chemical Engineering
• Industrial Process
• OEE
• Production Management
• Lean Six Sigma