Plant Manager - Spiddal

CWS; Spiddal; On-site; EUR 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

CWS Cleanrooms in Spiddal, Ireland, invites an experienced Plant Manager to lead our operations at the Spiddal site. You will drive safety, quality, delivery, and cost outcomes while developing people and delivering financial results for a growing, customer-focused organisation.

You will champion Lean practices, manage budgets and CapEx, and lead cross-functional teams to sustain operational excellence and regulatory compliance in a cleanroom environment.

Qualifications

• Degree or equivalent professional qualification.
• Strong leadership and people management skills.
• Experience in manufacturing/cleanroom environment and ISO/GMP knowledge.
• Analytical and data-driven problem solving with ability to drive improvements.

Responsibilities

• Lead day-to-day plant operations focusing on safety, quality, delivery, cost and people objectives.
• Manage resources, labour planning and plant capacity to drive productivity.
• Monitor performance metrics and implement corrective actions.
• Drive Lean and Continuous Improvement initiatives (5S, Standard Work, Kaizen).
• Coach and develop employees and support succession planning.
• Own plant budgets and CapEx projects; manage costs and financial performance.

Skills

Leadership

People management

Analytical thinking

Stakeholder management

Communication

Education

Degree or equivalent professional qualification

Job description

Location: On site / Spiddle West, An Spidéal, Co. Galway, Ireland
job type: Permanent / Full-time
Sector and subsector: Facilities Management | Operations Manager
Salary: Competitive salary

Join Our Team as a Plant Manager in Spiddal!

At CWS Cleanrooms, we are looking for an experienced Plant Manager to lead our operations in Spiddal. This is an exciting opportunity for a driven operations leader to take ownership of plant performance, people development, safety, quality, and financial results while supporting the continued growth of a dynamic and customer-focused organisation.

Why Join CWS Cleanrooms?

At CWS Cleanrooms, we offer more than just a role. We provide the opportunity to make a real impact within a growing business that values operational excellence, continuous improvement, and strong leadership.

As a Plant Manager, you'll enjoy:

• Leadership Opportunity: Take ownership of a key operational site and drive performance across multiple functions.
• Career Growth: Join a successful international organisation with opportunities for professional development and progression.
• Continuous Improvement Culture: Lead Lean initiatives and help shape the future of our operations.
• Competitive Salary: Enjoy an attractive salary that reflects the importance and impact of this senior leadership position

Key Responsibilities

Operations & Performance

• Lead the day-to-day operations of the plant, ensuring strong performance across Safety, Quality, Delivery, Cost, and People objectives.
• Manage resources, labour planning, and plant capacity to support productivity and operational efficiency.
• Monitor performance metrics, identify improvement opportunities, and implement corrective actions where required.
• Drive operational excellence while ensuring customer requirements remain a key priority.
• Lead and support Production, Maintenance, Supervisory, and Area Leadership teams.
• Foster a positive, high-performing culture focused on accountability, engagement, and continuous development.
• Coach, mentor, and develop employees while supporting succession planning and future capability needs.
• Champion company values and promote strong leadership practices across the site.
• Take ownership of plant budgets, operating costs, and CapEx projects.
• Monitor financial performance and drive cost-efficiency initiatives while maintaining high safety and quality standards.
• Support forecasting, budgeting, and long-term operational planning activities.

Safety, Quality & Compliance

• Promote a culture of safety, quality, and regulatory compliance throughout the plant.
• Ensure adherence to ISO, GMP, and other applicable standards.
• Maintain audit readiness and lead investigations and corrective actions for operational issues.
• Identify and mitigate risks to protect employees, customers, and business performance.
• Lead the site's Lean and Continuous Improvement strategy.
• Drive initiatives including Standard Work, 5S, Kaizen, and Daily Performance Management.
• Encourage and empower teams to identify opportunities to improve productivity, quality, and customer service.
• Ensure improvements are effectively implemented and sustained.
• Build strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
• Ensure customer expectations are reflected in operational priorities and decision-making.
• Support the resolution of significant customer-impacting issues and contribute to a customer-focused culture.

Required Skills & Experience

• Degree or equivalent professional qualification in a related discipline.
• At least 5 years' experience in a senior production, operations or plant management role, with demonstrated responsibility for people, operational performance and financial management.
• Black belt in Standard Work or similar certification.
• Experience of working within a cleanroom environment is desirable, with an understanding of relevant standards, procedures and operational controls.
• At least 5 years' experience in people management, including leading, developing and managing performance within operational teams.

Knowledge and Behaviour

• Strong leadership and people management skills with experience developing high-performing teams.
• Proven experience within a manufacturing and/or cleanroom environment, with knowledge of ISO and GMP standards.
• Strong understanding of plant operations, production processes, and operational performance management.
• Lean Manufacturing expertise, including Standard Work, 5S, Kaizen, and continuous improvement methodologies.
• Analytical and data-driven approach to problem-solving and decision-making.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to build relationships across all levels of the business.
• Customer-focused mindset with a commitment to operational excellence, quality, and service delivery.
• Demonstrated ability to drive change and sustain continuous improvement in a fast-paced operational environment.

Hours of Work

This is a full-time, on-site position based in Spiddal, Ireland.

• Monday to Friday
• Standard full-time working hours, with flexibility required
• Reporting to the Regional Operations Manager

Join CWS Cleanrooms and play a key role in driving operational excellence, leading high-performing teams, and shaping the future success of our Spiddal plant.