Manufacturing site lead

About this role

Manufacturing Site Lead – Job Description

Job Purpose

The Manufacturing Site Lead is responsible for the effective day-to-day operation, coordination and performance of the manufacturing site. The role provides strong leadership across site operations, ensuring that production, facilities, business support and health and safety activities are managed effectively and in line with company standards, policies and objectives.

The Site Lead will act as a key point of contact between the manufacturing site, senior management and business support functions, ensuring clear communication, effective problem-solving and continuous improvement across the site.

Key ResponsibilitiesSite

Leadership & Operations

• Provide overall leadership and direction for the manufacturing site and its day-to-day activities.
• Ensure the site operates safely, efficiently and in accordance with company policies, procedures and operational standards.
• Monitor site performance, identifying issues and implementing appropriate corrective actions.
• Coordinate site priorities and ensure effective communication between operational teams and support functions.
• Promote a positive, professional and collaborative working environment.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives to improve productivity, quality, efficiency and overall site performance.

Business Support & Stakeholder Management

• Liaise regularly with business support functions including HR, Finance, IT, Procurement, Facilities and other relevant departments.
• Act as the main site contact for business support teams, coordinating activities and ensuring site requirements are understood and addressed.
• Ensure effective communication between the manufacturing site and wider business.
• Support the implementation of company-wide initiatives, policies and processes at site level.
• Escalate operational, staffing, financial or business-critical issues to the appropriate senior stakeholders.

Health, Safety & Compliance

• Take overall responsibility for promoting a strong health and safety culture across the site.
• Ensure the site complies with relevant health and safety legislation, company policies and industry standards.
• Oversee risk assessments, safety inspections, audits and corrective actions.
• Ensure incidents, accidents and near misses are reported, investigated and followed up appropriately.
• Work closely with Health & Safety representatives and external bodies where required.
• Ensure employees receive appropriate health and safety information, training and support.
• Monitor compliance with site procedures and take action where standards are not being met.
• Maintain a proactive approach to identifying and reducing workplace risks.

People Leadership

• Provide leadership and support to site-based employees and managers.
• Encourage high standards of performance, accountability and teamwork.
• Support recruitment, onboarding, training and development activities where required.
• Promote employee engagement and effective communication across the site.
• Address performance, conduct and employee relations matters in conjunction with HR.

Facilities & Site Management

• Oversee the general condition, security, cleanliness and functionality of the manufacturing site.
• Coordinate facilities, maintenance and site services requirements.
• Ensure equipment, buildings and site infrastructure are maintained appropriately.
• Identify and address operational or facilities-related risks that could affect business continuity.
• Support emergency planning, business continuity and site resilience activities.

Key Skills & Experience

• Previous experience in a manufacturing, production or operational leadership role.
• Strong understanding of manufacturing site operations and workplace health and safety.
• Experience managing or coordinating multiple site functions and stakeholders.
• Strong communication, leadership and organisational skills.
• Ability to work effectively with both operational teams and corporate/business support functions.
• Strong problem-solving and decision-making ability.
• Experience of managing compliance, audits, risk assessments and corrective actions.
• Ability to prioritise competing demands and work effectively in a fast-paced environment.
• A proactive approach to continuous improvement and operational excellence.

Key Attributes

• Strong and visible site leadership.
• Safety-focused and compliance-driven.
• Organised and commercially aware.
• Approachable and collaborative.
• Confident communicator with the ability to influence at all levels.
• Accountable, proactive and solutions-focused.
• Able to balance operational priorities with wider business requirements.

Reporting Line

Reports to: Head of Manufacturing

Pay: £38,000.00-£40,000.00 per year

Work Location: In person

About risk & resilience roles for ex-police

Risk management, business continuity and emergency-planning roles. Contingency planning, threat assessment and multi-agency coordination experience from policing is directly transferable.