Production Manager

W Talent; East Midlands; On-site; GBP 45,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

Manthorpe Building Products, based in Ripley, Derbyshire, is seeking an experienced Production Manager to lead day-to-day production across the site, ensuring safety, efficiency, and customer-focused delivery. You will work with engineering and maintenance, drive OEE improvements, and guide a high-performing plastics/injection moulding team through a period of growth and investment.

Candidates with a proven track record in plastics manufacturing and hands-on leadership will fit well; the role

Qualifications

• Proven experience as Production/Manufacturing Manager in plastics.
• Strong knowledge of injection moulding processes and machinery.
• Ability to lead and develop a production team in a fast-paced environment.
• Hands-on approach with shop-floor and management capability.

Responsibilities

• Take overall responsibility for day-to-day production across the site.
• Lead and develop the production team to a high-performing culture.
• Ensure production plans meet customer requirements safely and on time.
• Drive improvements in OEE, productivity and waste reduction.
• Collaborate with Engineering, Maintenance and other departments to maximise machine availability.
• Support introduction and commissioning of new injection moulding machinery.
• Contribute to longer-term manufacturing strategy and capacity planning.

Skills

Production management

Leadership

Plastics manufacturing

Injection moulding

Continuous improvement

Tools

Injection moulding machinery

Job description

W Talent is working exclusively on behalf of Manthorpe Building Products, a well-established and progressive manufacturing business based in Ripley, Derbyshire who are looking to recruit a Production Manager. Manthorpe is entering an exciting period of growth and investment, with significant plans for the future including the installation of additional, high-specification injection moulding machinery.

This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced Production Manager with a strong plastics and injection moulding background to join the business at an important stage of its development and play a key role in shaping the future production operation.

The Role - Production Manager

As Production Manager, you will take overall responsibility for the day-to-day management and performance of production across the site. Working closely with the senior management team, you will lead the production function, ensuring the operation delivers safely, efficiently and consistently against customer requirements, whilst driving continuous improvement and supporting the company's ongoing investment and growth plans. The role will suit a Production Manager who is comfortable operating in a fast-paced manufacturing environment and understands the demands of plastics and injection moulding production.

Key Responsibilities

• Take overall responsibility for the day-to-day production operation across the site.
• Lead, manage and develop the production team, creating a positive, accountable and high-performing culture.
• Ensure production plans and customer requirements are achieved safely, efficiently and on time.
• Drive improvements in OEE, productivity, efficiency, waste reduction and overall equipment performance.
• Manage and optimise injection moulding processes, machinery and production resources.
• Work closely with Engineering and Maintenance to maximise machine availability and minimise downtime.
• Monitor production performance through relevant KPIs and take action where performance falls below expectations.
• Identify and implement continuous improvement opportunities across production.
• Support the introduction, installation and commissioning of new injection moulding machinery and equipment.
• Ensure production processes meet required quality standards and customer expectations.
• Work closely with Quality, Engineering, Planning, Stores and other departments to ensure smooth production flow.
• Contribute to longer-term manufacturing strategy and capacity planning as the business continues to invest and grow.

Key Requirements

The successful candidate will ideally have proven experience working as a Production Manager or Manufacturing Manager within a plastics manufacturing environment. They will also have a strong understanding of modern injection moulding machinery, processes and production environments with the ability to improve production teams within a fast-paced manufacturing operation.

Qualifications and Experience

A track record of improving production performance, efficiency and OEE.

Experience working closely with Engineering and Maintenance functions.

A strong understanding of manufacturing KPIs and continuous improvement methodologies.

Excellent organisational, communication and people-management skills.

A practical, hands-on approach with the ability to operate at both shop-floor and management level.

The drive and ambition to make a genuine difference within a growing and progressive business.

Why Join Manthorpe Building Products

This is a particularly exciting time to join Manthorpe Building Products. The business is continuing to invest in its manufacturing operation, with additional injection moulding machinery planned for the future. The successful candidate will therefore have the opportunity to join at a point where they can influence how the production operation develops rather than simply inherit an established structure.