Head of Operations / Plant Manager

HEAD OF OPERATIONS / PLANT MANAGER

Head of Operations | Plant Manager | Production Manager | Operations Manager | People Leadership

An excellent People-Leadership Role Within a Stable, High-Performing Manufacturing Operation

Location: South Yorkshire / North Midlands (Peak District border) - commutable from East Midlands / South Yorkshire / South Cheshire / Staffordshire, or Relocation Assistance Available

-80,000 - -90,000 + 25% Bonus + Car Allowance + Executive Benefits

About the Opportunity

This is a planned succession appointment within a large-scale, energy-intensive manufacturing operation that is already stable, commercially successful, and well-invested. The current site leader is staying in the business in a Continuous Improvement capacity, and will support a structured handover.

This is not a turnaround, and it is not primarily a technical role - the team already has strong technical depth. What the business needs is a visible, credible people leader who can build accountability, structure and confidence into a talented but currently under-developed leadership layer, and move the operation from a reactive, firefighting culture to a proactive, well-run one.

The Opportunity Is Suited To

Production Manager, Senior Production Manager, or Manufacturing Manager ready for a broader multi-site leadership role

Operations Manager, Plant Manager or Deputy Plant Manager seeking a genuine next step

Candidates from heavy process manufacturing, industrial minerals, cement, chemicals, or industrial manufacturing

Candidates from heavy industrial processing, FMCG, consumer goods, brewing or other traditional manufacturing environments who have led shift managers and are ready to lead a leadership team

Suited to a leader who is ambitious to progress further within a growing business, or one who is looking to bring proven leadership experience to a stable, rewarding senior role for the long term

What Matters Most

Genuine presence, energy and the ability to engage and inspire a close, family-style team - this is a nurturing, coaching leadership style, not a dictatorial one

A track record of developing supervisors and managers into confident, accountable leaders - including real, specific examples of succession planning and building bench strength

The ability to move a team from reactive problem-solving to proactive, structured performance management

Experience managing managers (not just individual operators or tradespeople) across production, maintenance or engineering-adjacent teams

Comfort operating in a unionised, highly visible, site-based environment

Willingness to be the first point of contact for the (infrequent) out-of-hours issue

What You Will Be Responsible For

Leadership of a multi-site, high-volume manufacturing operation (circa -100m+ turnover)

Building leadership capability, accountability and succession depth across the operational team

Day-to-day operational, safety, quality and cost performance

Working closely with a strong existing technical/engineering team - you do not need to be the technical expert

Supporting continuous improvement and capital investment programmes already underway

What Success Looks Like

The operation is already fundamentally sound. Success here is about unlocking the capability that already exists in the team - building a leadership layer that no longer depends on one individual to hold it all together, and creating a visible, structured, proactive way of running the operation day to day.

Location

Candidates should be within a reasonable commute of the South Yorkshire / North Midlands (Peak District border) region, or willing to relocate. This is a genuinely attractive part of the country to live in, with more affordable housing than many candidates expect, and a relocation package is available to support the right candidate.

Package

-80,000 - -90,000 basic salary

25% bonus (non-contractual, based on company performance)

Pension: 5% employee / 10% employer

Private medical insurance (family cover)

Company car or car allowance (-625/month)

Share save scheme, Reward Gateway benefits platform

26 days holiday + birthday + bank holidays, holiday purchase scheme

SmartTech and Cycle to Work salary sacrifice schemes

Application

To explore this opportunity in complete confidence, please apply with a detailed CV. All applications will be handled with strict confidentiality.

Ref: LX(phone number removed)