Plant Manager

Rainbow Professional; Hull and East Yorkshire; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading manufacturing firm in the United Kingdom is seeking a Plant Manager to oversee the core functions including Production, QHSE, Engineering, and Warehousing. The ideal candidate will have extensive experience in plant operations, drive efficiency, and ensure compliance with regulatory standards. The position offers a full-time contract and comes with benefits including a company pension and private medical insurance.

Benefits

Company pension

Free parking

Private medical insurance

Qualifications

• 7-10 years of experience in manufacturing or plant operations.
• Experience in efficiency and cost improvement in an industrial environment.
• Proven experience in leadership across multiple functional areas.

Responsibilities

• Lead and support the Production, QHSE, Engineering, and Warehousing Managers.
• Develop and implement consistent operating procedures and standards.
• Establish and govern operational efficiency programs aimed at improvement.
• Maintain safety, quality, and compliance with regulatory standards.
• Lead key plant improvement projects applying Lean principles.

Skills

Analytical skills

Organizational skills

Leadership skills

Problem-solving mindset

Data-driven decision making

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Manufacturing, or related discipline

Tools

ERP systems

Lean methodologies

ISO standards

Job description

The Plant Manager is responsible for leading the plant’s core functions — Production, QHSE, Engineering, and Warehousing — to deliver safe, efficient, and reliable operations.

This role requires a leader who combines strong organizational and analytical capability with hands‑on operational support. The Plant Manager will establish clear systems, standards, and performance structures while supporting department managers in executing their daily responsibilities effectively.

A key focus of the role is to drive efficiency, optimize resource utilization, and reduce operational costs through process improvement, disciplined execution, and data‑driven management.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Leadership & Execution Support

Lead and support the Production, QHSE, Engineering, and Warehousing Managers to deliver operational results. Provide the tools, systems, and guidance necessary for each team to execute effectively and consistently. Balance strategic oversight with practical, day‑to‑day involvement to ensure plans are implemented successfully. Promote alignment, clear priorities, and strong cross‑functional collaboration.

2. Systems, Standards & Organizational Development

Develop and implement consistent operating procedures, standards, and reporting systems across all departments. Introduce and maintain company‑developed management systems (Odoo, Checkpoint, maintenance, quality, safety) to improve communication, visibility, and control. Establish and document operational routines, ensuring discipline and consistency across all departments. Promote structured, data‑based decision‑making and accountability throughout the plant.

3. Efficiency, Cost, and Performance Management

Establish and govern operational efficiency programs aimed at improving productivity, reducing waste, and lowering costs. Monitor and analyze performance data to identify cost drivers and improvement opportunities. Develop and track KPIs for efficiency, throughput, downtime, and cost performance. Work closely with department managers to implement improvement actions and verify results.

4. QHSE & Compliance

Maintain a strong focus on safety, quality, and compliance with regulatory and company standards. Oversee QHSE performance and ensure compliance with company and regulatory standards.

5. Project & Continuous Improvement

Lead and support key plant improvement projects. Provide structure and follow‑through to ensure projects are implemented effectively and sustainably. Apply Lean principles, problem‑solving, and data analysis to drive measurable results. Ensure initiatives are well‑structured, resourced, and delivered on time.

Qualifications & Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Manufacturing, or a related discipline
• 7‑10 years of experience in manufacturing or plant operations, including leadership of multiple functional areas
• Proven experience in driving efficiency, productivity, and cost improvement in an industrial environment
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret data and turn insights into action
• Experience implementing operational systems and standards (ERP, TPM, Lean, ISO, etc.)
• Balanced leadership style — both strategic and hands‑on

Key Competencies:

• Analytical, structured, and cost‑focused
• Strong organizational and planning skills
• Hands‑on leadership and execution support
• Cross‑functional coordination and influence
• Continuous improvement and problem‑solving mindset
• Data‑driven and results‑oriented

Success in This Role Looks Like:

• Plant operations run with clear standards, data transparency, and consistent execution.
• Department managers are equipped and supported to deliver strong operational results.
• Efficiency and productivity improvements translate into measurable cost reductions.
• Systems and processes provide reliable control and visibility of performance.
• The plant operates safely, efficiently, and predictably — with continuous improvement sustained over time.

Job Type: Full‑time

Benefits:

• Company pension
• Free parking
• Private medical insurance