Manufacturing Management Apprenticeship

Ibstock Plc; Long Eaton; On-site; GBP 28,000 - 35,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading building materials company located in Long Eaton is seeking a dedicated operational team member. The successful candidate will ensure compliance with Quality Management Systems, conduct sampling and testing of materials, and develop Safe Standard Operating Procedures. Responsibilities include monitoring performance data, training others on health and safety regulations, and contributing to continuous improvement initiatives. If you're someone who thrives in a dynamic environment and is interested in contributing to sustainable practices, this role is for you.

Qualifications

• Strong communication skills to effectively share information.
• Attention to detail in sampling, testing, and reporting.
• Ability to solve problems in a fast-paced environment.

Responsibilities

• Ensure compliance with health and safety regulations.
• Conduct analysis of raw materials and finished products.
• Collaborate on developing Safe Standard Operating Procedures.
• Monitor and report on key performance data.

Skills

Communication skills

Attention to detail

Problem solving skills

Team working

Initiative

Reliability

Education

A Level in Science or BTEC in Science

Job description

A vital member of our operational team, you'll ensure compliance with our Quality, Energy, and Environmental Management Systems. Conduct sampling, testing, and analysis of raw materials and finished products, playing a key role in maintaining our high standards. Collaborate on developing Safe Standard Operating Procedures and Risk Assessments. Help monitor and report on key performance data throughout the manufacturing process. Investigate and analyse customer feedback to drive continuous improvement.

Responsibilities

• Work competently, safely and manage risks in accordance with HSE regulations.
• Apply knowledge of health and safety hazards, major hazards, environmental aspects and risks associated with the operation in order to train others to conduct full risk assessments, license to operate procedures and be able to fully investigate and evaluate health, safety and environmental accidents and incidents, report findings and implement improvements.
• Use knowledge of emergency response processes and procedures to deal with emergency situations and ensure that in these circumstances the site is evacuated, secured and made safe as swiftly as possible.
• Recommend and support improvements to environmental, health and safety culture, procedures, process and systems across the operation.
• Obtain, evaluate and use information from the teams across the site to take critical operational decisions. This could include information on a range of matters such as the products, the equipment and the staffing levels.
• Utilise communications technology for performing and supporting the business processes including, communications, work co‑ordination, task analysis and problem solving.
• Ensure that operational systems are adhered to by all employees in accordance with quality control plans and procedures.
• Use appropriate Personal Protective Equipment in order to meet employers and regulatory health and safety requirements.
• Apply root cause analysis.
• Use the principles of predictive and preventative maintenance of all mineral products equipment in order to minimise downtime and costs.
• Develop & write technical reports that meet business requirements including the optimisation and continuous improvement of processes and services.
• Maximise the use of resources, maximise products from raw materials, ensuring sustainability of resources.
• Provide technical knowledge transfer to colleagues and continuous improvements in line with business requirements.
• Optimise processes & products re: cost and performance in line with budget requirements.
• Communicate all relevant information with the operational team, customers and all stakeholders by email, handheld radio, phone and face‑to‑face to keep them up to date with site production issues, ensuring information is passed clearly and promptly.
• Plan and implement plans for work activities and projects.
• Monitoring trends, interpreting results and making adjustments in production.
• Use knowledge of the local communities, official bodies and other stakeholders associated with Mineral Products and their interests in the industry to liaise and engage with them to ensure positive working relationships are established, minimising disputes.
• Ensure safe and effective utilisation of mineral extraction equipment and resources by following standard operating procedures and/or site rules.
• Maximise operational and resource efficiency in a mineral extraction environment, in accordance with the quarry/mine plan.
• Plan processes to win and extract mineral in a safe, efficient and environmentally sensitive manner applying blasting, digging or cutting techniques.
• Plan to use, select and utilise face loading machines, dumptrucks, conveyor systems, processing and benefication equipment by planning material flow and matching equipment.
• Use and apply the quarry/mine plan to assess environmental impact, planning constraints, site restoration and the wider sustainability agenda.
• Achieve and verify product quality meets both European Standards and customer specifications and optimises the production process to achieve these in a cost‑effective manner and whilst maintaining end‑use applications.
• Ensure all test equipment is maintained, used correctly and calibrated, retains appropriate records. Interpret all test results for accuracy, retesting as required, and taking appropriate actions and communications if results fall outside of specifications.
• Conduct the full range of legislative and procedural inspections required in the quarry, processing plant and associated locations, record, document findings and take appropriate action. For inspections conducted by specialist third parties – can interpret, prioritise and action the recommendations.
• Planning work activities and production schedule with customer requirements.
• Sampling and testing of concrete products to the relevant European standards.
• Monitoring trends, interpreting results and making adjustments in concrete mix designs.
• Management of product constituents to include secondary, alternative and recycled materials.
• Demonstration of the selection and appropriate use of reinforcement materials in concrete applications.
• Planning the selection and utilisation of fresh concrete delivery systems by planning material flow and matching equipment.
• Able to apply different concrete batching techniques in the manufacture of concrete products.
• Undertaking of assessment, inspection and development of suitable repair strategies for existing concrete structures.
• Planning work activities and production schedule with customer and trend requirements.
• Managing risks specific to high energy and cost production processes.
• Sampling, testing and reporting of Cement, Lime and Cementitious products to the relevant European standards.
• Sampling, testing and reporting of incoming and intermediary materials supporting the adjustments in the cement manufacturing process.
• Planning the selection and utilisation of milling, grinding and blending equipment by planning process flow and matching equipment.
• Demonstrate an understanding of the selection and use of different fuel types in order to maximise thermal efficiencies and minimise environmental impacts.
• Planning the selection and utilisation of Cement, Lime and Cementitious Products delivery systems.
• Planning work activities, production schedules, transport and delivery in line with customer requirements.
• Sampling source materials, bitumens and asphalt products.
• Defining different asphalt production processes and ancillary equipment to maximise production. Inspecting and optimising asphalt production plant and equipment.
• Inspecting and optimising laying and compaction plant and equipment.
• Managing risks to health and safety and the environment associated with the production, transport and laying of asphalt mixtures.
• Application and ongoing management of assets both in terms of production and laying equipment and in pavements, foundations, drainage, skid resistance, embankments, bridges and street furniture.
• Application of pavement design according to design specifications.
• Identifying pavement failure modes and subsequent remedial options.
• Application of specialist road surface treatments and sustainable recycled aggregates and recycling processes.
• Apply understanding of the nature and formation processes of clay deposits to the manufacture of heavy clay construction products to ensure product quality.
• Maximise operational and resource efficiency by using and understanding the quarry/clay pit plan in and minimising environmental impacts.
• Supervision of methods of extraction, transportation and stockpiling of clay raw materials to industry standards.
• Effective management of raw material processing in relation to the manufacturing operation.
• Recognise the influence of raw material properties in the selection of the appropriate clay forming equipment and drying processes.
• Appropriate selection and use of different surface texturing and colouring processes.
• Planning and control of the appropriate drying and firing cycles for the production process.
• Sampling, testing and reporting of intermediary and final clay products supporting the adjustments in the process.

Training Schedule

• Industry Introduction (20 credits)
• Industry and the Environment (20 credits)
• Learning, Thinking and Study Skills in Higher Education (20 credits)

During the first year, all apprentices study the same core modules, which will build on your initial workplace induction and link to typical job‑based activities.

At the end of your first year, you will need to choose (with advice from your employer) one of the following five pathways:

1. Mineral extractives
2. Asphalt
3. Concrete (ready mix or pre‑cast)
4. Cement
5. Clay

Whichever pathway you choose, you will study the following two core modules:

• Business and Operational Management (20 credits)
• Production Facility Engineering (20 credits)

The modules for each pathway are listed below.

Desirable Qualifications

• Communication skills
• Attention to detail
• Problem solving skills
• Team working
• Initiative
• Reliable
• An interest in the industry
• A desire to learn
• A Level in: Science or BTEC in Science or equivalent (grade Pass or above)

Upon successful completion, we would be happy to support you with progression towards a full degree in BSc (Hons) Minerals Management.

At Ibstock, we've been shaping Britain's built environment for over 200 years. With a team of more than 2,300 strong, we're committed to building smarter, more sustainable homes and workplaces. Our innovative products are designed with a net‑zero future in mind, and we're constantly evolving to meet the challenges of tomorrow. If you're looking for a company that blends heritage with innovation, opportunity, and career progression, WE ARE that company.