Plant Manager

ZipRecruiter; Crawley; Hybrid; GBP 70,000 - 78,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading industrial manufacturing company in Crawley seeks a Plant / Production Manager to oversee operations at a COMAH site. The role involves leading production, ensuring safety compliance, and managing key stakeholder relationships. Ideal candidates will have extensive experience in industrial manufacturing with a strong focus on HSE. Competitive salary of £70,000 – £78,000 plus benefits including a car allowance and bonus.

Benefits

Competitive salary

Car allowance

Bonus

Excellent pension contributions

25 days holiday plus bank holidays

Healthcare coverage

Structured learning and training opportunities

Qualifications

• Proven experience as a Plant or Production Manager in industrial manufacturing.
• Strong focus on driving a safety-first culture.
• Experience managing trade union negotiations and fostering positive relations.

Responsibilities

• Lead day-to-day production and maintenance operations on site.
• Champion HSE culture and ensure compliance with regulations.
• Manage relationships with key internal and external stakeholders.

Skills

Health, Safety, and Environmental (HSE)

Leadership and interpersonal skills

Operational and strategic thinking

Trade union negotiation

Education

HNC / HND or equivalent in Engineering

NEBOSH qualification

Job description

Overview

Plant / Production Manager – COMAH Manufacturing Site

Crawley, West Sussex (Commutable from London, Reading, Slough, Brighton, Worthing)

£70,000 – £78,000 + £6k Car Allowance + 10% Bonus + Excellent Pension + Career Progression + Benefits

The Opportunity

An exciting opportunity has arisen for an experienced Plant / Production Manager to lead operations at a lower-tier COMAH industrial manufacturing site in West Sussex. You will play a key leadership role within a site team of around 60, responsible for delivering safe, efficient, and compliant operations while driving continuous improvement and fostering a high-performing culture.

Our client is a recognised name within the industrial manufacturing sector, known for their strong values and commitment to safety, sustainability, and employee development.

What You'll Be Doing

• Lead day-to-day production and maintenance operations on site, ensuring safety, environmental and performance standards are met or exceeded.
• Champion HSE culture, leading by example and ensuring compliance with relevant regulations and internal systems (ISO standards, risk assessments, audits).
• Manage relationships with key internal and external stakeholders, including direct negotiation and engagement with trade unions.
• Oversee plant performance, resource planning, and infrastructure reliability to ensure consistent delivery to customer and business expectations.
• Drive team development, motivation, and succession planning across a diverse, skilled workforce.
• Lead site safety committees, emergency preparedness, and continuous improvement projects across production and site management.
• Manage budgets, KPIs and ensure reporting, compliance and plant standards align with wider business goals.

What You'll Bring

• Proven experience as a Plant or Production Manager within a COMAH, chemical, process, or other industrial manufacturing environment.
• Strong Health, Safety, and Environmental (HSE) focus, with a track record of driving a safety-first culture.
• Experience in managing trade union negotiations and fostering positive industrial relations.
• Excellent leadership and interpersonal skills with a track record of engaging and developing teams.
• Strong operational, strategic and analytical thinking – able to balance technical and people leadership.
• HNC / HND or equivalent in Engineering or a related technical field is , but equivalent experience will be considered.
• A NEBOSH qualification would be advantageous – or a willingness to obtain one.

Why Apply?

• Join a reputable and safety-conscious organisation with a strong commitment to innovation and sustainability.
• Be part of a collaborative and inclusive culture where ideas are welcomed and development is supported.
• Enjoy a comprehensive package including:
• Competitive salary + bonus + car allowance
• Excellent employer pension contributions (up to 10.7%)
• 25 days holiday (plus bank holidays) + option to buy extra
• Healthcare coverage and EAP support
• Structured learning, training, and progression opportunities

Interested?

We’re partnering exclusively with this employer to identify the right leader for their West Sussex operations. If you’re a results-driven production leader with a strong HSE mindset and background in industrial/manufacturing environments, we want to hear from you.

Apply today to discuss this opportunity in more detail – all applications and conversations will be handled in confidence.

Please reach out to Max Carr from DCS if you are interested.