Plant Manager

Parkinson | Lee Executive Search; Newcastle upon Tyne; On-site; GBP 100,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading recruitment firm is seeking an experienced Site Manager for a reputable FMCG manufacturer in the North East. This role is crucial for leading a high-volume, 24/7 manufacturing site, focusing on operational excellence, people leadership, and continuous improvement. The ideal candidate will have a strong engineering background and proven leadership in regulated environments. A competitive executive package of £100,000 to £130,000 is offered, reflecting the scale of responsibility.

Qualifications

• Proven experience leading a large, complex manufacturing site.
• Track record of running 24/7 operations at scale.
• Experience in automated, high-speed production environments.

Responsibilities

• Take full ownership of site P&L, safety, quality, service, and cost.
• Lead a large 24/7 workforce, creating clarity and engagement.
• Drive continuous improvement and uphold uncompromising standards.

Skills

Leadership in large-scale manufacturing

People development and engagement

Continuous improvement mindset

Operational stability focus

Technical knowledge in Engineering

Experience in thermal manufacturing

Education

Strong grounding in Manufacturing / Mechanical / Electrical Engineering

Job description

Site Manager – FMCG Manufacturing (Confidential)

Location: North East (Newcastle area)
Salary: £100,000 – £130,000 + Executive Package
Operation: Large-scale, 24/7, high-volume manufacturing site

The Opportunity

We’re supporting a well-established FMCG manufacturer with a long-standing reputation for quality, consistency, and reliability to appoint a Site Manager for a flagship operation in the North East.

This is a business where people matter, standards matter, and the product matters. The site operates at scale, supplies major customers, and runs at pace, but it does so with a strong sense of pride, accountability, and responsibility to its people, customers, and community.

The environment is food manufacturing, with a strong process backbone and a culture that values doing the basics brilliantly, every day.

The Role

As Site Manager, you will take full ownership of end-to-end site performance, leading a multi-disciplinary leadership team across Production, Engineering, Quality, Supply Chain, and CI.

This is not a remote or theoretical leadership role. You’ll be visible on the floor, close to the operation, setting expectations, removing barriers, and building capability.

Key responsibilities include:

• Full accountability for site P&L, safety, quality, service, and cost
• Leadership of a large 24/7 workforce, creating clarity, stability, and engagement
• Embedding Manufacturing Engineering discipline to ensure asset reliability, process control, and right‑first‑time production
• Driving a culture of continuous improvement, accountability, and pride in performance
• Ensuring uncompromising standards in H&S, food safety, and regulatory compliance
• Translating customer demand into robust, executable production plans
• Developing leaders and operators through clear standards, coaching, and ownership

The Culture Fit, this business values leaders who are:

• Down‑to‑earth, straight‑talking, and credible on the shop floor
• Passionate about people development and engagement, not just output
• Focused on long‑term operational stability, not short‑term firefighting
• Comfortable making decisions, holding standards, and backing their teams
• Proud of building something sustainable rather than chasing quick wins

Background & Experience

You’ll bring experience from high‑volume, regulated manufacturing environments, ideally with a strong engineering backbone. Relevant sectors include:

• FMCG manufacturing, food regulated process manufacturing, ingredients, bulk processing, packaging, paper, or converting operations
• Thermal Manufacturing experience is essential
• Automated, high‑speed production environments
• Proven experience running a large‑scale manufacturing site
• Strong Manufacturing / Mechanical / Electrical Engineering foundations
• Experience leading 24/7 operations with complex labour models
• A track record of improving safety, reliability, engagement, and service
• A leadership style that’s firm, fair, and human

Your Background

• Proven experience leading a large, complex manufacturing site
• Strong grounding in Manufacturing / Mechanical / Electrical Engineering
• Track record of running 24/7 operations at scale
• Comfortable balancing people leadership with hard operational metrics
• Commercially astute, calm under pressure, and decisive
• Someone who doesn’t hide in meetings when the line’s down

Why This Role

• A genuine site leadership role, not a caretaker position
• Significant autonomy and influence
• High‑profile operation with clear expectations and backing
• Competitive executive package (£100–130k) reflecting the scale and accountability