Production Manager

H.B. Fuller; Preston; On-site; GBP 45,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

H.B. Fuller is seeking a skilled Production Manager for its Preston site, responsible for leading production operations and ensuring compliance with safety standards. The ideal candidate will have substantial experience in manufacturing, strong leadership skills, and a degree in Chemical Engineering. This role offers the opportunity to contribute to cross-functional projects and foster a safety-focused culture within the plant.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience in manufacturing and team management.
• Practical knowledge of KPI deployment and operational metrics.
• Fluent in English, both spoken and written.

Responsibilities

• Oversee manufacturing of bonding agents and ensure compliance with EHS standards.
• Lead production across five areas and monitor KPIs.
• Participate in internal projects and continuous improvement initiatives.

Skills

Communication

Leadership

KPI Deployment

Continuous Improvement

Education

Degree in Chemical Engineering or equivalent

Tools

Microsoft Office

ERP systems (e.g., SAP, PRISM)

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 2024 revenue of $3.6 billion, our mission to Connect What Matters is brought to life by more than 7,500 global team members who collaborate with customers across more than 30 market segments in over 140 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: Preston, UK – Onsite

Position Overview

The Production Manager at our Preston site supports the Plant Manager and is responsible for overseeing safe, efficient, and high-quality manufacturing of bonding agents. This role leads daily operations across five plant areas and ensures compliance with UK legislation and H.B. Fuller EHS standards. The ideal candidate will also contribute to cross-functional plant projects and continuous improvement initiatives.

Primary Responsibilities

• Ensure adherence to H.B. Fuller’s EHS standards and UK Health & Safety regulations

• Foster and promote a strong safety culture within manufacturing and warehouse operations

• Supervise production across five areas with annual output of 2,800–3,200 tonnes

• Plan and allocate manpower, including external temporary labor

• Monitor and report plant-level KPIs to operational leadership

• Ensure high availability and efficiency of production equipment in collaboration with maintenance

• Lead and develop production team members to meet quality and service goals

• Support internal projects related to equipment, quality, logistics, and safety

• Identify and implement continuous improvement initiatives

• Participate in customer audits as needed

Minimum Requirements

• Degree in Chemical Engineering (or equivalent) or similar technical qualification (e.g. HNC)

• 5+ years of experience in manufacturing

• 5+ years of experience managing teams in a production environment

• Strong communication skills with the ability to operate across all organizational levels

• Fluent in English, both spoken and written

• Practical knowledge of KPI deployment and operational performance metrics

• High proficiency in Microsoft Office tools

Preferred Requirements

• Experience in adhesives, paints, inks, or chemical production

• Exposure to international manufacturing environments

• Familiarity with Lean, 5S, and Six Sigma methodologies (certification a plus)

• Strong leadership track record and performance management experience

• Proficient in ERP systems (e.g., SAP or PRISM)

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.