Manufacturing Manager

Listgrove Ltd; Warrington; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Listgrove Ltd in the United Kingdom is seeking a Manufacturing Manager to lead continuous chemical manufacturing operations across two Warrington locations, focusing on safety, efficiency and reliability. You will develop team capability, drive improvements in quality and plant performance, and work with engineering and maintenance to meet delivery targets while upholding SHEQ standards.

The role requires strong leadership of multi-shift teams, experience in 24/7 operations, and a proactive

Qualifications

• Extensive experience in 24/7 chemical plant operations.
• Proven leadership of multi-shift teams.
• Strong SHEQ and regulatory compliance knowledge.
• Experience with ISO 9001 / GMP.
• Excellent problem-solving and communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead two-site manufacturing operations with focus on safety, efficiency and reliability.
• Coordinate production planning and resources to optimize throughput.
• Drive continuous improvement and cost effectiveness.
• Develop teams through coaching, succession planning and performance management.
• Ensure compliance with SHEQ standards and incident investigations.

Skills

24/7 plant ops

Leadership

Production planning

Safety & SHEQ

Continuous improvement

Education

HND/Degree in Engineering or related subject

Job description

A specialist manufacturer of chemicals and high-performance materials, developing innovative solutions for demanding industrial applications, including plastics processing, automotive, oil exploration, bio-based materials and technical textiles.

Combining technical expertise with a strong understanding of customer needs, the business delivers advanced materials and solutions that address complex industrial challenges.

Role Overview

The Manufacturing Manager will lead continuous chemical manufacturing operations across two locations, with responsibility for production performance, SHEQ compliance, people management and operational improvement.

The role will focus on ensuring safe, efficient and reliable production, developing team capability and driving improvements in quality, productivity and plant performance.

Working closely with site leadership and other business functions, the position will play a key role in delivering operational objectives and maintaining high standards of safety, compliance and operational excellence.

Key Responsibilities

Production & Operational Performance:

• Lead continuous manufacturing operations across two locations, ensuring safe, efficient and reliable production.
• Manage production planning, resources and operational priorities to optimise plant throughput and meet delivery requirements.
• Identify and resolve operational issues, minimising downtime and improving plant availability and efficiency.
• Coordinate planned downtime, maintenance activities and plant improvements while maintaining production continuity.
• Work collaboratively with engineering, maintenance and technical teams to resolve challenges and support operational objectives.
• Lead and develop shift and day-based production teams, establishing clear responsibilities, accountability and performance expectations.
• Ensure effective workforce planning, resource allocation and operational coverage.
• Develop technical competence through training, coaching, performance management and succession planning.
• Promote effective communication, knowledge sharing and collaboration across teams and site functions.
• Foster a culture of continuous improvement, ownership and operational excellence.

Safety, Health, Environment & Quality (SHEQ):

• Provide strong SHEQ leadership, ensuring compliance with relevant legislation, regulatory requirements and company standards.
• Develop and implement safety and process improvement initiatives, with particular emphasis on risk reduction and preventative measures.
• Maintain effective Safe Systems of Work, risk assessments and operational procedures, including SOPs.
• Lead investigations into safety incidents, quality deviations and near misses, ensuring effective root cause analysis and corrective action.
• Drive improvements in Right First Time (RFT) performance, quality standards and customer satisfaction.
• Support compliance with applicable quality management systems, including ISO 9001 and GMP requirements.

Continuous Improvement & Business Performance:

• Identify and implement opportunities to improve productivity, process efficiency, quality and cost effectiveness.
• Lead operational improvement and change initiatives, ensuring sustainable improvements in plant and team performance.
• Evaluate and recommend capital investment and equipment improvements to the Warrington Site Leadership team.
• Manage operational expenditure and procurement within agreed budgets and delegated authority.
• Contribute to site improvement plans, ensuring operational priorities align with wider business objectives.

QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE:

• Strong background in 24/7 chemical plant operations.
• HND/Degree – Engineering or other related subject.
• Experience managing teams in a technical environment, including shift teams were contact can be limited.
• SHE leadership and understanding of relevant legislation and standards.
• Knowledge of quality systems and standards (e.g., ISO 9001, GMP)
• Analytical thinking and problem-solving skills
• Ability to operate with independence and autonomy
• Strong communication and stakeholder management
• Experience in handling high hazardous materials, e Hydrogen Peroxide, Peracetic Acid.