Factory Manager job based in Barrow-in-Furness Full Time Permanent

Job Title: Plant & Factory Manager
Location: Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria, UK
Employment Type: Full-time, Permanent

This role is within the industrial wood coatings and wood protection chemicals sector. The company manufactures high-performance products used for wood impregnation, surface coating, and long-term wood preservation. The industry is highly regulated, requiring strict adherence to health, safety, environmental, and quality standards. Experience in chemical processing, coatings, cosmetics manufacturing or process-based manufacturing is highly desirable.
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Role Overview
Our client are seeking an experienced and hands-on entrepreneurial Plant/ Factory Manager to oversee day-to-day manufacturing and warehouse operations within a specialist wood coatings and timber treatment facility. The role is responsible for managing production, a small team of staff, health & safety, quality, and continuous improvement to ensure efficient, compliant, and cost-effective operations.
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Key Responsibilities

Operations & Production
• Oversee all factory operations, including production planning and scheduling
• Ensure production targets, quality standards, and delivery deadlines are met
• Manage raw material usage, stock levels, and waste reduction
• Liaise with procurement, logistics, and sales functions as required
People Management
• Lead, manage, and motivate production and warehouse staff
• Conduct performance reviews, absence management, and training coordination
• Ensure adequate staffing levels and cover for holidays and sickness
• Promote a positive, safe, and productive working culture
Health, Safety & Compliance
• Ensure full compliance with Health & Safety legislation, including COSHH
• Maintain risk assessments, safe systems of work, and accident reporting
• Ensure compliance with environmental and quality standards relevant to chemical manufacturing
• Act as the main point of contact for audits and inspections
Quality & Continuous Improvement
• Maintain product quality standards and investigate any non-conformances
• Implement continuous improvement initiatives to improve efficiency and reduce costs
• Monitor KPIs and report on factory performance
Administration & Reporting
• Prepare production reports and operational updates for senior management
• Maintain accurate records relating to production, staff, and compliance
Skills & Experience
Essential:
• Proven experience in a factory or manufacturing management role
• Strong knowledge of health & safety, ideally within a chemical or industrial environment
• Experience managing production teams
• Good organisational and problem-solving skills
• Confident decision-maker with a hands-on approach
Desirable:
• Experience in wood coatings, paints, chemicals, cosmetics manufacturing or similar manufacturing environments
• IOSH, NEBOSH, or similar Health & Safety qualification
• Experience with continuous improvement or lean manufacturing principles
• Experience using SAP for production order management and purchase requisitions etc
Knowledge of distributing hazardous goods both within the UK and internationally

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