Assistant Plant Manager COMAH

£70K – £85k plus £6k car allowance 10 % bonus and 10% Pension

An exciting opportunity has arisen for an experienced Plant / Production Manager to lead operations at a Chemical industrial manufacturing site . You will play a key leadership role within a site team of around 60 ( 3 Shift managers) , responsible for delivering safe, efficient, and compliant operations while driving continuous improvement and fostering a high-performing culture.

Our client is a recognised name within the industrial manufacturing sector, known for their strong values and commitment to staff retention and employee development.

What You’ll Be Doing

• Lead day-to-day production and maintenance operations on site, ensuring safety, environmental and performance standards are met or exceeded.
• Champion HSE culture, leading by example and ensuring compliance with relevant regulations and internal systems (ISO standards, risk assessments, audits).
• Manage relationships with key internal and external stakeholders, including direct negotiation and engagement with trade unions.
• Oversee plant performance, resource planning, and infrastructure reliability to ensure consistent delivery to customer and business expectations.
• Drive team development, motivation, and succession planning across a diverse, skilled workforce.
• Lead site safety committees, emergency preparedness, and continuous improvement projects across production and site management.
• Manage budgets, KPIs and ensure reporting, compliance and plant standards align with wider business goals.

What You’ll Bring

• Proven experience as a Plant or Production Manager within a COMAH, chemical, process, heavy industry, paper&pulp, Renewables or other industrial manufacturing sites.
• Strong Health, Safety, and Environmental (HSE) focus, with a track record of driving a safety-first culture.
• Experience in managing trade union negotiations and fostering positive industrial relations.
• Excellent leadership and interpersonal skills with a track record of engaging and developing teams.
• Strong operational, strategic and analytical thinking – able to balance technical and people leadership. This role is 70 % People management
• HNC / HND or equivalent in Engineering or a related technical field is preferred, but equivalent experience will be considered.

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