Production Manager

Listgrove Limited; Nottingham; On-site; GBP 52,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

Listgrove Limited seeks an experienced Production Manager in the North West region to lead daily manufacturing operations, bridging technical and operational leadership across planning, quality and engineering. You will drive safety, efficiency, and continuous improvement to meet customer requirements and quality standards.

The role requires hands-on leadership, strong people development skills, and a track record of improving plant performance in process environments.

Qualifications

• Experience leading production, manufacturing or engineering teams.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Technical understanding of manufacturing processes and equipment.
• Experience with Lean/continuous improvement methodologies advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Lead day-to-day manufacturing operations and drive performance.
• Coach and develop Production Supervisors and Operatives.
• Drive Lean manufacturing and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Improve productivity, yield, and Right First Time performance.
• Reduce waste, downtime, and process variation.
• Ensure plant reliability through preventative and predictive maintenance.

Skills

Production leadership

Lean/CI

Data-driven decision making

Problem solving

Education

Engineering or technical qualification

Job description

INTERNATIONAL RECRUITMENT & HR EXPERTS ACROSS THE PLASTICS, PACKAGING, SPECIALITY CHEMICALS, LIFE SCIENCES, BIOPOLYMER, FOOD ADDITIVES & INGREDIENTS, ENERGY AND RECYCLING SECTORS SINCE 1975.

Production Manager

Based in Greater Manchester

Job ref: EG /64969

The Company:

A well-established, privately owned chemical manufacturing company with over 30 years' experience supplying specialist materials into industrial markets, building a strong reputation for technical expertise, product quality and customer service.

Operating from a modern manufacturing facility in the North West, the business has invested significantly in its production capabilities, infrastructure and people, supporting continued growth and long-term customer partnerships.

Reporting to the Director of Sales & Technical, you will take responsibility for the safe, efficient and effective day-to-day management of Production, leading our Production Supervisors and Operatives to deliver customer requirements safely, on time and to the required quality standards.

This is a hands-on production leadership role that bridges technical and engineering expertise with operational management. You will work collaboratively across Planning, Technical, Quality and Engineering to optimise manufacturing processes, improve plant reliability and performance, and develop a culture focused on safety, quality, accountability and Right First-Time performance.

Key Responsibilities:

• Leading day-to-day manufacturing operations and driving production performance.
• Managing, coaching and developing Production Supervisors and Operatives.
• Driving Lean manufacturing and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Improving productivity, material yield, Right First-Time performance and manufacturing efficiency.
• Reducing waste, downtime, rework and process variation.
• Driving plant reliability through effective preventative and predictive maintenance and the prioritisation of engineering and maintenance activities.
• Leading and supporting manufacturing engineering projects focused on process improvement, automation, capacity enhancement and operational efficiency.
• Supporting the introduction of new equipment, products and manufacturing processes, ensuring effective handover, documentation, training and operational readiness.
• Ensuring high standards of health, safety, environmental and quality compliance.
• Using production data and KPIs to identify issues, inform decision-making and drive sustainable improvement.

The Person:

• An experienced production, manufacturing or engineering leader with a strong technical understanding of manufacturing processes, production equipment and process control.
• A visible, hands-on leadership style with strong analytical and problem-solving skills and the ability to develop teams, improve processes and deliver measurable operational improvements.
• Comfortable working at both an operational and technical level, identifying opportunities to improve plant, processes and manufacturing capability while maintaining a strong focus on people, safety, quality and customer delivery.
• Experience within masterbatch, polymer processing, compounding, chemical or process manufacturing would be particularly advantageous, as would a relevant engineering or technical qualification and experience of Lean/continuous improvement methodologies.
• If you are an experienced manufacturing leader who enjoys being close to the operation, developing people and using technical and engineering knowledge to drive improvements in plant performance, manufacturing capability, safety and quality, we would be pleased to hear from you..

Please understand that due to the expected high number of applications, only shortlisted candidates will be contacted directly

For reasons of better legibility, the simultaneous use of the language forms male, female and diverse (f/m/d) is avoided. All personal designations apply equally to all genders.

For UK roles, candidates must be eligible to work and live in the United Kingdom. Proof of eligibility will be required with your application.

Why select Listgrove?

• Five Decades of Market Intelligence
• Unrivalled Industry Networks
• Recognised International brand
• HR Qualified Professionals

To hear from our clients on how we have supported their search for talent and HR needs, please visit Listgrove's Case Studies page.

Throughout 2026 & 2027 you can meet with Listgrove at the following exhibitions: Interpack, France Innovation Plasturgie, Interplas UK, Plast Milan, Fakuma, ArabPlast, NPE 2027.

Performance through People.

Listgrove Limited Registered in England No: (phone number removed)