Head of Manufacturing

Michael Page; Birkenhead; On-site; GBP 75,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Michael Page is partnering with a well-established manufacturing client in Birkenhead to recruit a Head of Manufacturing. This senior role oversees daily operations, drives lean improvements, and ensures safety, quality, and productivity across the site.

The ideal candidate has a proven track record in senior leadership, with a strong engineering background and demonstrated capability in people management and continuous improvement initiatives.

Qualifications

• Proven senior leadership experience in a manufacturing setting.
• Background in continuous improvement and culture change.
• Experience implementing employee engagement strategies.
• Strong engineering underpinning with site leadership experience.

Responsibilities

• Lead and continuously improve all plant operations to meet KPIs.
• Drive productivity, quality, safety and cost efficiencies.
• Oversee HR processes including performance reviews and capability assessments.
• Collaborate with engineering, quality, finance and technical teams.
• Embed Lean Six Sigma and a culture of continuous improvement.
• Manage a combined permanent and agency workforce and engagement initiatives.

Skills

Strategic leadership

Lean Six Sigma

People management

Engineering background

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Engineering degree

Job description

Client Details

Our client is a well established manufacturing company based in the Birkenhead

Description

We are seeking an experienced and results-driven Head of Manufacturing to lead the operational performance of our busy manufacturing plant, reporting to the Managing Director. This is a pivotal role responsible for overseeing all day-to-day operational activities, ensuring optimal productivity, health and safety, quality, and continuous improvement across the site.

• Lead, manage, and continuously improve all plant operations.
• Drive performance, productivity, and quality in line with business KPIs.
• Manage a diverse workforce including permanent production operators and agency staff.
• Ensure operational alignment with engineering, quality, technical, and finance functions.
• Introduce and drive a culture of lean six sigma throughout the business
• Champion Lean Six Sigma methodologies and embed continuous improvement culture.
• Lead and develop a high-performing team, fostering a culture of accountability and engagement.
• Oversee key HR processes including annual performance reviews, capability assessments, disciplinary and grievance matters.
• Ensure all operations comply with health, safety, and environmental standards.
• Monitor operational budgets, reporting on performance and delivering cost efficiencies, and taking appropriate action where required.
• Work with the Engineering team to deliver large-scale improvement projects.
• Be able to naturally engage with a range of personnel and support all employee engagement initiatives.
• Effectively manage conflicting priorities on a daily basis, ensuring maximum machine utilisation.

Profile

To be successful in this fast-paced role, successful candidates must have proven experience in a senior leadership role and be able to demonstrate a background of continuous improvement, successful culture change and implementation of employee engagement strategies, whilst working in conjunction with maximising our production efficiencies.

You will collaborate closely with our technical, engineering, finance, and quality teams to drive efficiency and excellence across all areas of production. This is a hands-on leadership role, ideal for someone who must possess a strong engineering background and a passion for operational improvement.

Having worked in the chemicals industry would be advantageous but not essential; you must be in a permanent industrial manufacturing leadership role

• A track record of experience in an operations management role within a manufacturing environment.
• Extensive experience in people management including, motivation, coaching and people development skills
• Comfortable working in a fast-paced, dynamic and constantly changing environment.
• Strong background in engineering (Mechanical, Electrical or Chemical) - this is really important for this role and the client expects qualifications to back it up so please bear this in mind before applying.
• Demonstrable leadership experience with the ability to motivate and manage teams effectively.
• Hands-on experience working with both permanent and temporary/agency production staff.
• Proficient in Lean Six Sigma with a strong track record of driving continuous improvement initiatives.
• Experience managing HR-related processes including performance management, capability reviews, and disciplinary/grievance handling.
• Strong communicator with excellent organizational and decision-making skills.
• Previous experience working as part of a Senior Leadership Team

Job Offer

Circa £80,000 plus bonus and benefits.

Desired Skills and Experience

Manufacturing / Engineering & CI / Site Leadership