Plant Manager

Owen Daniels; Greater London; On-site; GBP 75,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

15% Annual bonus

Pension scheme up to 10%

Income protection scheme

Life assurance 4x basic salary

Share purchase scheme

25 days annual leave + bank holidays

On-site parking

Early finish every Friday

Job summary

Owen Daniels is seeking an experienced Plant Manager to take full ownership of a Coventry manufacturing site within a global aerospace engineering business. The role emphasizes leadership, visible shop-floor presence and accountability for safety, quality, cost and delivery.

Leading a team of roughly 100 and driving Lean initiatives, you will shape site strategy, manage budgets and collaborate with Engineering and Projects to enable growth and future-state planning.

Qualifications

• Proven manufacturing leadership with team development.
• Experience running a manufacturing facility with direct and indirect teams.
• Lean manufacturing practitioner with measurable improvements.
• Strong HSE knowledge and safety track record.
• Experience with ERP/MRP systems and KPIs.

Responsibilities

• Take full ownership of site operations, performance and strategic development, ensuring the plant delivers against safety, quality, cost, delivery and productivity objectives.
• Lead and develop a team of approximately 100 employees, building capability, accountability and a strong culture of engagement and continuous improvement.
• Drive the Lean agenda across the site, delivering measurable improvements in productivity, efficiency, lead times, cost and operational performance.
• Maintain the highest standards of HSE, ensuring risks are proactively managed and a strong safety culture is embedded throughout the operation.
• Lead production and manufacturing activities to ensure customer requirements are consistently achieved while maintaining quality and cost expectations.
• Work cross-functionally with Engineering, Projects and other functions to support business growth, investment and future-state planning.
• Manage site budgets and resources effectively, ensuring operational performance is delivered within agreed financial parameters.
• Identify, develop and implement opportunities for process improvement, change management and culture development.

Skills

Lean manufacturing

People leadership

Operations management

HSE compliance

Tools

ERP/MRP systems

Job description

Are you an experienced Plant Manager, Operations Manager or Manufacturing Leader with a strong background in Lean manufacturing and developing high-performing teams?

Do you have the leadership presence to take genuine ownership of a site, drive operational excellence and create a culture where people, safety, quality and continuous improvement are at the heart of everything you do?

If so, I want to hear from you.

We are working with an established global aerospace engineering business that is looking for an experienced Plant Manager to take full accountability for the performance and development of its Coventry manufacturing site.

This is a high-profile leadership position within a growing operation. The site operates around the clock, making this a role where strong leadership, visibility and accountability are essential.

Plant Manager

Permanent

Monday to Thursday, 8:00am - 4:30pm, Friday, 8:00am - 3:30pm

Very Competitive Salary on Offer + 15% Bonus

Coventry

Key Responsibilities

• Take full ownership of site operations, performance and strategic development, ensuring the plant delivers against safety, quality, cost, delivery and productivity objectives.
• Lead and develop a team of approximately 100 employees, building capability, accountability and a strong culture of engagement and continuous improvement.
• Drive the Lean agenda across the site, delivering measurable improvements in productivity, efficiency, lead times, cost and operational performance.
• Maintain the highest standards of HSE, ensuring risks are proactively managed and a strong safety culture is embedded throughout the operation.
• Lead production and manufacturing activities to ensure customer requirements are consistently achieved while maintaining quality and cost expectations.
• Work cross-functionally with Engineering, Projects and other functions to support business growth, investment and future-state planning.
• Manage site budgets and resources effectively, ensuring operational performance is delivered within agreed financial parameters.
• Identify, develop and implement opportunities for process improvement, change management and culture development.

Plant Manager

Essential Experience / Skills / Qualifications

• We are looking for an experienced manufacturing leader who can combine strong operational capability with genuine people leadership.
• Significant experience leading a manufacturing or production facility, including both direct and indirect teams.
• A strong background in machining/manufacturing. Experience within furnacing or associated manufacturing processes would be advantageous but is not essential.
• A proven track record of implementing Lean manufacturing principles and continuous improvement, with clear examples of measurable results.
• Strong experience developing teams, improving capability and creating a culture of accountability and engagement.
• A strong understanding of HSE, with a proven track record of maintaining and improving safety performance.
• Experience working with manufacturing processes, ERP/MRP systems and operational KPIs.
• The confidence and personality to operate effectively at all levels, from the shop floor through to senior leadership.
• A hands‑on, visible and positive leadership style, with the ability to build trust while holding people accountable.

The Person

This role is about more than simply managing production.

We are looking for a solid, experienced manufacturing leader with personality — someone who naturally takes ownership, enjoys being visible on the shop floor and genuinely cares about developing people.

You should be able to demonstrate where you have built successful teams, introduced Lean improvements and delivered tangible operational results.

You will be expected to take the site personally — understanding its performance, its people and its opportunities, and creating an environment where everyone feels accountable for delivering the right outcomes.

This is a fantastic opportunity for someone who wants to make a genuine impact within a global organisation, with significant opportunities for longer‑term career development across the wider group.

Company Benefits

• 15% Annual bonus
• Focused career development planning and progression opportunities
• Pension scheme with up to 10% company contribution
• Income protection scheme
• Life assurance of 4x basic salary
• Share purchase scheme
• 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays
• Option to buy or sell up to 5 additional days' holiday
• Additional service-related holiday entitlement
• Cash Plan or Private Medical Cover
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Employee discounts across a wide range of goods and services
• Employee referral scheme
• Free on-site parking
• Early finish every Friday