Job Title – General Manager
Location – Lurgan
Salary – £65k-£75k
We are seeking an experienced and hands-on General Manager to lead the day-to-day operations of a busy polymers manufacturing facility specialising in polymer compounding, pulverising, and recycling processes.
This role is ideally suited to either an experienced General Manager or a strong Production Manager / Operations Manager ready to take the next step into a broader leadership role.
The successful candidate will take overall responsibility for plant performance, production efficiency, commercial performance, quality standards, health & safety, and staff leadership, ensuring the facility operates safely, efficiently, and profitably while maintaining high product and customer standards.
The role requires a practical leader with strong technical, operational, and commercial understanding of polymers manufacturing and recycling operations, who is comfortable being actively involved on the plant floor and leading teams in a fast-paced production environment.
Main Responsibilities
Plant & Operations Management
- Manage the day-to-day operations of the polymers production facility.
- Oversee polymer compounding, pulverising, recycling, and related manufacturing processes.
- Ensure production targets, quality standards, and delivery schedules are achieved.
- Monitor plant performance, production output, downtime, waste, and operational efficiencies.
- Drive continuous improvement initiatives across production and plant operations.
- Ensure effective utilisation of machinery, materials, labour, and plant resources.
- Support preventative maintenance and equipment reliability initiatives.
Commercial & Operational Performance
- Actively promote the business, strengthen customer relationships and drive commercial growth.
- Identify and pursue new business opportunities, working closely with customers, suppliers and senior management.
- Drive innovation through new product development, process improvements and the identification of new market opportunities.
- Control operational costs, monitor production margins and drive improvements in plant profitability.
- Manage stock control, purchasing, production planning and costing to ensure efficient operations and reliable customer delivery.
- Implement initiatives to improve productivity, reduce waste and optimise operational performance.
Quality Management
- Take responsibility for the company’s Quality Management System and ISO 9001 compliance.
- Ensure all products meet customer specifications and quality standards.
- Lead quality improvement initiatives and corrective action processes.
- Work closely with production and quality teams to resolve quality issues and reduce waste/rework.
- Maintain accurate quality documentation, audits, and process controls.
Health & Safety
- Lead and promote a strong health & safety culture across the facility.
- Ensure full compliance with all Health & Safety and environmental regulations.
- Conduct risk assessments and support safe systems of work.
- Lead incident investigations and implement corrective and preventative actions.
- Ensure employees are properly trained and operating safely at all times.
Staff Leadership & Development
- Lead, manage, and support production, warehouse, and operational staff.
- Maintain a strong visible presence on the plant floor.
- Foster a positive, accountable, and team-focused working environment.
- Manage staffing levels, training, performance, and employee development.
- Support recruitment and succession planning where required.
Key Requirements
Experience
- Proven experience within polymers, plastics, recycling, compounding, or related manufacturing industries.
- Previous experience in a Production Manager, Operations Manager, Plant Manager, or similar leadership role.
- Strong understanding of polymer manufacturing, pulverising, recycling, and production operations.
- Experience managing teams within a manufacturing environment.
- Experience working with ISO 9001 Quality Management Systems.
- Strong knowledge of Health & Safety practices within manufacturing.
Skills & Competencies
- Strong commercial awareness with the ability to balance operational efficiency and profitability.
- Customer-focused mindset with strong relationship management skills.
- Hands-on and practical leadership style.
- Strong organisational and problem-solving abilities.
- Good understanding of production planning and operational efficiency.
- Strong communication and people management skills.
- Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced production environment.
- Continuous improvement mindset.
Education
- Engineering, Manufacturing, Polymer, Technical, or related qualification preferred.
- Health & Safety or Quality qualifications advantageous.
Personal Attributes
- Self-motivated and results-driven.
- Practical and approachable management style.
- Strong sense of ownership and accountability.
- Comfortable working closely with operational teams on the plant floor.
Positive attitude with strong leadership capability
Skills:Polymers Management Production
WHJS1_NI
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