Production Manager

H.B. Fuller; Pennington; On-site; GBP 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

H.B. Fuller Company is seeking a Production Manager for its Lymington, Hampshire site. The role leads Mix and Extrusion operations, delivering safe, efficient production with a focus on lean principles and continuous improvement.

You will develop and mentor team leaders, drive 5S and process safety management, and manage costs while ensuring on-time delivery of high-quality products. Excellent communication with cross-functional partners is essential.

Qualifications

• Minimum 5 years in a manufacturing or engineering environment.
• Proven people management and leadership experience.
• PSM experience.
• Lean manufacturing knowledge and continuous improvement experience.
• Experience with Lean initiatives (5S, Gemba Walks, waste reduction).
• Experience leading change in manufacturing.
• Experience using SAP or a comparable ERP system.
• Strong analytical and stakeholder management skills.
• Fluent in English.

Responsibilities

• Lead Mix and Extrusion operations to ensure safe, efficient manufacturing.
• Drive safety, environmental compliance and process safety management.
• Apply 5S and lean principles to improve housekeeping and performance.
• Develop and mentor team leaders and experts for a best-in-class workforce.
• Set vision and align operations with site and HB Fuller strategic priorities.
• Manage performance through standard systems and KPIs; deliver on-time, quality products.
• Control costs via budgeting and continuous improvement projects.
• Foster collaboration with Commercial, Marketing, Operations, Supply Chain, HR, Finance and R&D.

Skills

People management

Lean manufacturing

Process Safety Management

SAP

Communication

Stakeholder management

English fluency

Education

Bachelor’s degree or apprenticeship in Engineering/Manufacturing/Operations

Six Sigma Green Belt or Black Belt

Tools

ERP systems

Job description

As the largest pureplay adhesives company in the world, H.B. Fuller’s (NYSE: FUL) innovative, functional coatings, adhesives and sealants enhance the quality, safety and performance of products people use every day. Founded in 1887, with 2025 revenue of $3.5 billion, our mission to Connect What Matters is brought to life by more than 7,100 global team members who collaborate with customers across more than 30 market segments in 150 countries to develop highly specified solutions that enable customers to bring world-changing innovations to their end markets. Learn more at www.hbfuller.com.

Position Title: Production Manager

Location: Lymington, Hampshire, onsite

Hours: 08:30-17:00 - 1hr lunch break

Position Overview

The Production Manager reports to the Plant Manager and has primary responsibility for the Mix and Extrusion operations at the Lymington site. This role is responsible for leading a safe, efficient, and high-performing manufacturing operation through strong people leadership, process safety management, lean manufacturing principles, and continuous improvement initiatives. The successful candidate will drive operational excellence, develop high-performing teams, and lead change across the operation to support business objectives.

Primary Responsibilities

• Understand, apply and drive safety as a value.
• Ensure compliance with all applicable safety, health and environmental procedures, regulations, and rules.
• Lead and drive continuous improvement in housekeeping and 5S.
• Develop and mentor Mix and Extrusion operations Team Leaders and field experts to ensure a best-in-class and engaged workforce is built and maintained.
• Create and implement vision for the Mix and Extrusion operations in alignment with the site vision and with HB Fuller’s overall vision.
• Develop and execute organizational strategy for the Mix and Extrusion operations in alignment with the site strategy and HB Fuller’s strategic priorities.
• Ensure effective management systems are utilized to manage and measure Lymington operations performance.
• Set and maintain standards that ensure on-time delivery of quality products that meet customer needs.
• Control costs through close management of the operational and capital budgets and by identifying, prioritizing and pursuing continuous improvement projects.
• Build and maintain strong working relationships with Commercial, Marketing, Operations, Supply Chain, HR, Finance and R&D partners. Facilitate collaborative teamwork within the facility and with external partners. Manage stakeholder expectations and prioritize work effectively to deliver results.

Minimum Requirements

• Minimum 5 years' experience in a manufacturing or engineering environment.
• Proven people management and team leadership experience.
• Demonstrated Process Safety Management (PSM) experience.
• Strong knowledge of Lean Manufacturing principles and continuous improvement methodologies.
• Hands-on experience implementing Lean initiatives such as 5S, Gemba Walks, waste reduction, and process improvement projects.
• Proven experience leading change management initiatives within a manufacturing environment.
• Experience using SAP or a comparable ERP system.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, communication, and stakeholder management skills.
• Fluent in English.

Preferred Requirements

• Bachelor's degree or apprenticeship in Engineering, Manufacturing, Operations Management, or equivalent experience.
• Experience within chemicals, adhesives, extrusion, process manufacturing, or a highly regulated manufacturing environment.
• Six Sigma Green Belt or Black Belt certification.
• Experience with Value Stream Mapping, DMAIC, FMEA, Fault Tree Analysis, TQM, and other continuous improvement methodologies.
• Demonstrated success in organizational development and building high-performing teams.

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H.B. Fuller is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer and proud to have created a collaborative culture where employees around the world are seen, heard, and respected. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, disability, or marital status or status as a protected veteran, or any other legally protected classification.

H.B. Fuller does not accept unsolicited resumes from recruiters, employment agencies, or staffing firms. To conduct business with H.B. Fuller, a written service agreement must be executed by Human Resources prior to submitting any information relating to a potential candidate. Without a signed service agreement, H.B. Fuller shall not be obligated for payment of any fee or compensation.