Overview
Recruiter: Theo James
Location: Newton Aycliffe
Salary: £55,000-£60,000
Application date: 20th Oct 2025
Theo James Recruitment is proud to bring to market an exciting Production Manager opportunity through our dedicated Executive and Leadership Search function. This role sits within a global leader in the polymer and chemical manufacturing sector, based in the North East. The successful candidate will join a dynamic leadership team, working closely with other senior stakeholders to drive operational excellence and continuous improvement across the site. This is a unique opportunity to join a forward-thinking business that not only leads in its field but also places a strong emphasis on people, culture, and long-term development — making it an ideal environment for those looking to make a meaningful impact.
Responsibilities
- Leading a High-Performing Team: Inspire, support, and develop a large production team, aligning them with site strategy while promoting a culture of accountability, coaching, and continuous growth.
- Driving Operational Best Practices: Own and evolve Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), bringing structure and consistency to how the plant runs, while embracing new technologies and digital improvements.
- Building Skills and Capability: Ensure all operators are fully trained, competent, and supported through clear development plans and robust validation processes that uphold industry-leading standards.
- Planning for Performance: Work closely with the supply chain to align resources with production demand, adapt to changing priorities, and make sure production targets are consistently met.
- Maintaining a World-Class Environment: Champion high standards in housekeeping and equipment condition, embedding 5S principles and initiating Total Productive Maintenance (TPM) improvements.
- Reducing Downtime and Improving Efficiency: Use data-driven insights and SMED analysis to minimise changeover times, reduce human error, and trial new methods that drive faster, smarter production.
- Owning Cost Control: Keep a close eye on overtime, waste, and consumables, ensuring targets are met and budgets are maintained without compromising on quality or output.
- Optimising Stock Management: Lead inventory control efforts to ensure optimal stock levels and accurate reporting, while maintaining a clean, efficient and audit-ready production environment.
- Engaging with Customers: Represent the production team during site audits or customer visits, and support complaint investigations with robust root cause analysis and process improvements.
Skills & Experience
- Proven leadership experience in a fast-paced production or process environment.
- Experience in managing large teams, including direct and indirect reports.
- Strong knowledge of operational best practices, including lean manufacturing, SOPs, 5S, TPM and SMED.
- A track record of building and developing high-performing teams.
- Excellent problem-solving skills, with confidence in root cause analysis and driving continuous improvement.
- Ideally, experience managing production in a regulated environment.