Plant Manager | Manufacturing Leadership | Scotland
We're seeking an experienced Plant Manager to join a leading manufacturing business in East Lothian. This business-critical appointment offers the opportunity to lead a significant production operation while driving manufacturing excellence, operational performance and continuous improvement across the site.
Reporting to the Head of Operations, the successful candidate will play a key role in shaping future operational capability, leading initiatives focused on safety, productivity, equipment reliability, workforce engagement and long-term business performance.
We are seeking a manufacturing leader who combines strong operational credentials with a proven track record of delivering continuous improvement, developing high-performing teams and driving sustainable change within complex production environments.
Scotland | Manufacturing Leadership | Relocation Support Available
For a confidential discussion, please contact:
+44 (0)77 6666 2266
The Opportunity
This position offers the opportunity to take ownership of a broad range of operational responsibilities, including:
Site leadership and performance management
Health, Safety, Environment and Quality (SHEQ)
Manufacturing excellence programmes
Lean and continuous improvement initiatives
Production planning and operational delivery
Equipment reliability and maintenance performance
Downtime reduction and operational efficiency
Workforce engagement and retention
Leadership development and succession planning
Capital investment and improvement projects
KPI and budget management
Cross-functional collaboration across manufacturing, engineering and operational teams
The role would particularly suit an individual who enjoys combining strategic leadership with a highly visible presence on the shop floor and who thrives in environments where improvement opportunities are significant and tangible.
What We're Looking For
The ideal candidate will bring proven experience leading manufacturing operations within a production-led environment, alongside a strong track record of operational improvement.
Key experience is likely to include:
Plant, Site, Operations or General Management responsibility
Lean Manufacturing, Lean Six Sigma or Manufacturing Excellence methodologies
Health and Safety leadership within an industrial environment
Production planning and operational management
Asset-intensive manufacturing operations
Equipment reliability and maintenance management
Continuous improvement and change leadership
Budget and KPI ownership
Workforce engagement and people development
Multi-disciplinary team leadership
Delivery of productivity, quality and efficiency improvements
Capital project involvement and implementation
Experience in the following areas would be advantageous:
Preventative and reliability-centred maintenance
Operational transformation programmes
Workforce culture change initiatives
Multi-shift manufacturing operations
Developing leadership capability within supervisory teams
Reducing employee turnover and improving engagement metrics
Ideal Background
We're particularly interested in candidates from:
Advanced manufacturing
Aerospace
Packaging
Food and beverage manufacturing
Building products
Heavy engineering
Industrial manufacturing
Process manufacturing
Chemical processing
Metals and materials production
Successful applicants are likely to have experience operating within high-capital, production-led environments where safety, operational discipline and continuous improvement are critical to success.
Direct sector experience is not essential. Greater importance will be placed on leadership capability, manufacturing excellence credentials and a demonstrable track record of improving operational performance.
Personal Attributes
The successful candidate will be:
A visible and credible leader
Commercially minded and operationally driven
Passionate about safety and people development
Comfortable leading through change
Data-driven in decision making
Collaborative and pragmatic in approach
Focused on continuous improvement and long-term performance
Capable of building high-performing teams and strong site culture
Qualifications & Experience
Degree qualified in Engineering, Manufacturing, Operations or a related discipline
Alternative qualifications will be considered where supported by significant relevant industry experience
Typically 5+ years' experience in a senior Plant, Site, Operations or General Management role
Proven experience leading teams within manufacturing or industrial environments
Package
A competitive package is available, including:
Competitive Salary
Performance-related bonus
Relocation support where required
Pension
Life assurance
Private healthcare
Additional employee benefits
For a confidential discussion regarding this business-critical appointment, please contact Dan MacNeill at Irvine Stewart Talent Partners.