Production Shift Manager

Wavin Group; Chippenham; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Wavin Group is seeking a hands-on production leader for a fast-paced plastics extrusion environment. You will balance operational delivery with strong leadership, driving safety, quality, efficiency, and continuous improvement on the shop floor.

The role focuses on leading daily extrusion operations, planning schedules, and coordinating with Engineering and Maintenance to maximise throughput and minimise downtime, while building a high-performing culture.

Qualifications

• Degree or equivalent in Mechanical/Industrial/Plastics Engineering or Manufacturing.
• Proven production leadership experience in manufacturing.
• Strong plastics extrusion or continuous polymer processing background.
• Practical knowledge of extrusion equipment and downstream systems.
• Lean Manufacturing, OEE, SPC and continuous improvement knowledge.
• Excellent leadership and coaching skills with data-driven mindset.
• Experience with ERP/MRP systems and MS Office.

Responsibilities

• Lead daily extrusion production to meet safety, quality and delivery targets.
• Plan schedules, line utilisation, changeovers and material flow to maximise throughput.
• Coordinate with Engineering and Maintenance on preventive maintenance and breakdowns.
• Drive a safety-first culture and ensure EHS compliance.
• Lead investigations and implement corrective actions.
• Develop supervisors, team leaders and operators.
• Support capability development in setup, troubleshooting, quality, and improvement.
• Drive Lean initiatives including 5S, SMED and OEE improvements.

Skills

Leadership

Lean Manufacturing

Plastics extrusion

Continuous improvement

Troubleshooting

Education

Engineering or Manufacturing degree

Tools

ERP/MRP systems

Microsoft Office

PLC/HMI knowledge

Job description

About Wavin Orbia Building & Infrastructure Business:

What if your work could improve how water moves, how cities adapt, and how buildings perform every day? At Wavin, Orbia’s Building & Infrastructure business, this is what we do. Count on a warm welcome, where purpose comes to life. Here, we take responsibility for each other and our company, stay brave in pursuing innovation, and embrace diversity in perspectives, skills and talents. We encourage our employees to develop their talents and become the best version of themselves. Working as a strong team, we grow and advance life around the world. You will join an international, professional team and benefit from a competitive compensation package.

About the role

We’re looking for a hands‑on production leader who thrives in a fast‑paced manufacturing environment and knows how to get the very best from people, processes, and performance. You’ll be someone who can balance operational delivery with strong leadership — driving safety, quality, efficiency, and continuous improvement while building a high‑performing culture on the shop floor. This role is ideal for a candidate with strong plastics extrusion or continuous manufacturing experience who enjoys solving problems, improving processes, and leading teams through change.

• Lead and manage daily extrusion production operations to achieve safety, quality, and delivery targets

• Plan schedules, line utilisation, changeovers, and material flow to maximise throughput and minimise downtime

• Coordinate closely with Engineering and Maintenance teams on preventative maintenance and breakdown response

• Drive and maintain a strong safety‑first culture, ensuring compliance with EHS standards and procedures

• Lead incident investigations and implement corrective actions where required

• Ensure products consistently meet specification and quality standards

• Implement and maintain SOPs, SPC processes, first‑off checks, and corrective actions

• Lead, coach, and develop supervisors, team leaders, and operators

• Support capability development across setup, troubleshooting, quality, and continuous improvement activities

• Drive Lean Manufacturing initiatives including 5S, SMED, Kaizen, and OEE improvement

About you

• Degree in Mechanical, Industrial, or Plastics Engineering, Manufacturing Management, or equivalent experience

• Proven experience in a production leadership role within manufacturing

• Strong experience in plastics extrusion or continuous polymer processing

• Practical knowledge of extrusion equipment, dies, haul‑offs, cutters, and downstream systems

• Strong understanding of Lean Manufacturing, OEE, SPC, and continuous improvement methodologies

• Excellent leadership, coaching, and team development skills

• Strong analytical and problem‑solving capabilities with a data‑driven mindset

• Experience using ERP/MRP systems and Microsoft Office applications

• Basic understanding of PLC/HMI systems desirable

Why join us?

At Wavin, we’re driven by a clear purpose: building healthy, sustainable environments for future generations. As part of the global Orbia group, you’ll join a business where innovation, safety, and continuous improvement are central to everything we do.

You’ll have the opportunity to lead a critical manufacturing operation, influence site performance, and develop high‑performing teams within a collaborative and supportive environment. We empower our people to take ownership, drive change, and make a meaningful impact — both on site and across the wider business.

Wavin, Orbia’s Building & Infrastructure business, is an innovative solutions provider for the global building and infrastructure industry. Backed by more than 70 years of product development experience, we advance life around the world by ensuring safe and efficient water supply, sanitation and hygiene, climate‑resilient cities, and better building performance. Wavin has over 10,000 employees across more than 40 production sites worldwide, serving customers in over 80 countries through a global sales and distribution network. Our key commercial brands are Wavin, Amanco Wavin, Pavco Wavin, and Plastigama Wavin.

Wavin, Orbia’s Building & Infrastructure business is committed to inclusive hiring. We welcome applications from all qualified candidates, regardless of gender, age, background, sexual orientation, disability or any other characteristic.