Plant Manager

Executive Network Group; Milton Keynes; On-site; GBP 51,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading UK manufacturing business is seeking an experienced Plant Manager to take overall responsibility for the performance, culture and operational effectiveness of a substantial manufacturing facility in Milton Keynes.

The successful candidate will shape the site’s future direction, lead across operations, safety, quality and delivery, and develop managers to sustain improvements and an engaging working culture.

Qualifications

• Senior level leadership within a manufacturing setting.
• Experience managing large multi-functional teams.
• Structured, process-led approach to operational excellence.

Responsibilities

• Lead the overall performance of the manufacturing site.
• Provide visible, consistent and inclusive leadership across all operational functions.
• Establish clear standards for safety, quality, delivery, cost and employee engagement.
• Improve operational performance through effective measurement, review and accountability.
• Develop a unified leadership approach across the senior management and supervisory teams.
• Coach, mentor and develop managers and future leaders.
• Strengthen succession planning and employee development.
• Lead cultural and organisational change in a practical, engaging and sustainable way.
• Develop a clear improvement plan before progressing towards a broader continuous-improvement culture.
• Maintain effective relationships with internal stakeholders, customers, suppliers and external partners.

Skills

Senior leadership

Manufacturing experience

Stakeholder management

People development

Change management

Job description

An established UK manufacturing business is seeking an experienced Plant Managerto take overall responsibility for the performance, culture and operational effectiveness of a substantial manufacturing facility.

This is a high-impact leadership role for someone who can assess an operation objectively, establish clear standards and create the conditions for sustainable improvement. The successful candidate will have the autonomy to shape the site’s future direction while working closely with the senior leadership team.

The business has made significant investment in its infrastructure, systems and operational foundations. The next stage is to strengthen consistency, accountability and leadership across the site, improving performance while building a more collaborative and engaged working culture.

Role: Plant Manager

Salary: up to £85,000 per annum + benefits

Location: Milton Keynes

Key responsibilities for the Plant Manager:

• Lead the overall performance of the manufacturing site.
• Provide visible, consistent and inclusive leadership across all operational functions.
• Establish clear standards for safety, quality, delivery, cost and employee engagement.
• Improve operational performance through effective measurement, review and accountability.
• Develop a unified leadership approach across the senior management and supervisory teams.
• Coach, mentor and develop managers and future leaders.
• Strengthen succession planning and employee development.
• Lead cultural and organisational change in a practical, engaging and sustainable way.
• Develop a clear improvement plan before progressing towards a broader continuous-improvement culture.
• Maintain effective relationships with internal stakeholders, customers, suppliers and external partners.

The ideal candidate for the Plant Manager role will be:

• Senior plant or site leadership experience within a manufacturing environment.
• Experience managing large, multi-functional teams.
• A strong understanding of operational performance and factory management.
• Experience leading change, stabilising performance and improving workplace culture.
• The confidence to challenge established ways of working constructively.
• A hands-on, visible and pragmatic leadership style.
• Strong skills in mentoring, coaching and developing management teams.
• The ability to establish accountability without compromising engagement.
• A structured, process-led approach to operational excellence.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder-management skills.
• The resilience and credibility to work through complex people and performance challenges.