PRODUCTION DIRECTOR
"A multi-site Production Director role for a well-established, multinational manufacturing company".

C£75-85000 Car Allowance & Benefits

Milton Keynes

Are you an experienced manufacturing production director?

Have you forged a successful career in a continuous process environment?

Would you like to take a key leadership role in a well-established company who are serious about growing their business?

If so, you may be the person our client is looking for to take the reins of their manufacturing operations, split across two sites in Milton Keynes and the East Midlands.

Our client operates a fast-moving, continuous process, converting operation which runs 24 hours a day, five days per week, on a three-shift system. As such, they are looking for someone with significant experience in managing that style of manufacturing operation. You'll be based at their main site in Milton Keynes but will need to spend some time at their sister site in the East Midlands as well.

The business is undergoing a degree of change which can be scary for many employees. So, understanding change management and helping your teams adjust to new working practices will play a significant part in your role. As well as implementing new changes to the operations, you will also need to focus on cost reduction programmes to ensure the company's financial targets are met.

Part of that change programme has been lean manufacturing. Having implemented a lean programme across the business, a core part of your role will be to lead their improvement projects using tools like CI and Six Sigma, plus others you have experience using. As such, you'll be someone who understands manufacturing processes and production efficiencies and how to improve them. Even though they are already operating at a high level, they know that there are always gains to be made. And that's where your people management skills come into play by inspiring your teams to achieve higher performance levels.

Like all continuous process operations, they have a huge focus on preventative maintenance which will form another core responsibility of your role, ensuring machine availability and utilisation remain high. Plus, you will play a key role in our client's new product development process by providing engineering capability and feasibility studies on potential new lines. In addition, you will need to investigate and plan for plant investment to support the future growth of the operations.

The business operates a relatively flat management structure, and you will sit on the senior leadership team of both manufacturing sites. As such, you will be able to influence the business's overall strategy, working closely with your fellow directors and the works council to create the best roadmap for the future. In addition, your ability to build close links with the commercial team will be essential to maintaining customer service standards without increasing stock levels.

As for your background, our client envisages you will be degree qualified in an engineering discipline and have significant experience in running a continuous process production system. And your specific knowledge of pneumatics, hydraulics and electrical systems will be of great benefit. As a visionary leader, you will be a visible, hands-on manager who is confident in managing engineering and operational teams of at least 100 including production, planning, quality, health and safety, purchasing and warehousing. You'll be comfortable in empowering your teams and providing mentoring and coaching to develop their skillsets. In addition, you'll enjoy building excellent working relationships with the supervisor teams and works council.

Also, with this role sitting in the leadership team, our client feels you will need a working knowledge of company finances and an analytical approach to managing costs in the business.

As you can imagine, we have plenty more to discuss about this role, so please submit your details, quoting reference LX 1046380 or call us on 44 (0)1905 381 320.

PRODUCTION MANAGER

"Excellent opportunity to for lean engineering professional to join key strategic site within a market leader as P:roduction Manager".

£Very Competitive Bonus & Benefits including Relocation Assistance

East Lothian, Scotland

Commutable from: Edinburgh, Berwick upon Tweed, Dunbar, North Berwick, Haddington, East Linton, Musselbergh, South Queensferry, Livingston, Dalkeith, Bonnyrigg, Bathgate, Glasgow, Coatbridge

Our client is a market leader within the construction materials sector and operates several plants in the UK.
Our client is a seeking degree educated Production Manager at a strategically important site located in Scotland. The site is currently focused on transformation including equipment upgrade to streamline processes, improve cost effectiveness and efficiency in order to meet rising volumes/throughput. You will play a key role in driving the production department's contributions and changes to support plant performance and reliability goals. Ideally you will have previous heavy industrial processing operations/production coordination or management experience and will be experienced at managing shift teams, contractors and day support teams. You will be familiar with working cross functionally with colleagues across maintenance and process optimisation as well senior management on site.

The Role:
As Assistant Production Manager you will be responsible for managing the operation of the Shift teams to optimise performance, improve reliability and achieve the works and departmental KPIs and objectives for safety, housekeeping, environment, quality, production, and costs.

This will also include performance monitoring and incident investigation relating to shift production activities. Reporting to the Operations Manager, you will also supervise the department's day support teams and contractors on routine tasks.

The role will also require effective coordination with the maintenance engineering and process optimisation teams to improve performance and develop the reliability strategy.

The Ideal Candidate:

• Educated to minimum HND/University degree in Engineering
• NEBOSH Certificate preferred. Experience of ISO 14001 an ISO 18001 highly advantageous.
• At least 5 years' experience in a supervisory or management role within a heavy industrial manufacturing/ production operations environment.
• Strong people management skills, preferably at least 3 years' experience of managing a function or team in a results orientated environment.
• Excellent knowledge of a heavy industrial Manufacturing Process and/or Production operations eg cement, bricks, chemicals, steel, glass, building materials, energy/power or similar
• High awareness of safety, quality and environmental issues. Lean CI approach.
• An understanding of maintenance practices and requirements would be an advantage.
• Computer Literate in MS Office packages, Pi and Maximo or SAP

Our client offers a highly competitive salary and benefits package including bonus.
To apply, without delay, please email your CV quoting reference LX 949205

SENIOR BUYER/CATEGORY SPECIALIST -FM & CORPORATE/SITE SERVICES

"Graduate calibre, CIPS qualified Senior Buyer/ Category Specialist or Category Manager sought by global energy leader."

C£50-58000 (Dependent on Experience) Bonus Excellent Blue Chip Benefits Package

Location: North West (Hybrid Working)

Commutable from Ellesmere Port, Mold, Wrexham, Birkenhead, Wallasey, Chester, Warrington, Runcorn, Widnes, Liverpool, Crewe, Knutsford, Macclesfield, South Manchester, Wigan, Newton le Willows, Leigh, Heywood, Skelmersdale.

This is a permanent career development opportunity for a graduate calibre, CIPS qualified procurement professional to join a global multinational energy environment within its indirect spend area covering corporate and site services. Our client is a multi-site manufacturing/processing and complex matrix organisation.
Our client has an opportunity for a Senior Buyer/Category Specialist for its Indirect Services Category Management team. Specifically, you will support categories such as Corporate & Professional Services, Site Services, Facilities Management, Engineering, MRO, Operational Support and Consumables with tactical and operational buying activities.
The Senior Buyer/Category Specialist will operate as part of a large procurement category management team, and will work closely with national, European and global divisions and business units.

The Role:

• The delivery of agreed category plans through the execution of strategic sourcing projects to meet business partner requirements, maximizing value for our client.
• Contributing to the development of category plans by creating and owning sub-category plans
• Support the development of medium to long range category plans and be able to influence the development of value delivery plans through knowledge of local needs and local supply markets.
• The implementation of strategic sourcing and supplier management activities to deliver in year value as well as using knowledge of local needs and supplier capabilities to contribute to the development of long-range category plans developed using standard company tools and communicated through the appropriate governance models.
• Savings delivery is a critical component of the role and Senior Buyer will be responsible for ensuring the accuracy of reporting and management of value outlooks in standard company reporting tools.
• Collaborate with project specific stakeholders to ensure change management is efficient and effective to guarantee sustainable value delivery.
• Change management is a key challenge in the role and Senior Buyers must have expert influencing and negotiation skills alongside key technical competencies relating to procurement transactional planning, commercial contract management and supplier relationship management.
• Senior Buyers will provide the first line of supplier performance management activities to ensure sustainable and secure supply of goods and services to support ongoing safe and effective operation of facilities.

The Ideal Candidate:

• Will be university degree educated, part or fully qualified CIPS, with previous multinational strategic commercial procurement, buying and sourcing experience ideally within indirect categories, although experience in direct categories would still be of interest.
• Commercial procurement/tactical and strategic buying experience gained within a multinational matrix organisation.
• Currently working as a Buyer, Senior Buyer, Category Specialist or Category Manager for a large matrix organisation.
• Experienced in sourcing, negotiation, and management of £multi million spend categories.
• Experienced in developing strategic category plans.
• A proven track record of working with senior stakeholders across multiple sites.
• Self-starter, with lots of initiative, drive, and ambition to succeed.
• Confidence and capability Must be able to influence at all levels of the organisation through strong relationship management.
• Excellent analytical, research, communication, and presentation skills.
• Excellent team working ability, particularly with suppliers and sourcing managers.
• Ability to develop and manage strong relationships both internally and externally (e.g. suppliers).
• Highly motivated with a drive for results - performance focussed.
• Strong integrity ensuring procurement operates to high standards and is fully trusted by its internal and external stakeholders.
• Naturally analytical and inquisitive.
• Experience of SAP/SAP Ariba procurement systems essential.
• Demonstrate attention to detail to derive accurate and insightful recommendations.

Our client offers excellent development and the opportunity to make a real difference in a business that really values its people.
To apply without delay, please email your CV quoting reference LX 967278

PROCESS ENGINEER

US $70-100,000 Bonus Excellent Blue Chip Benefits

Location: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania USA (Open to US Citizens or Green Card Holders Only)

Our client is a global leader in the building materials industry, with $multi billion turnover. It is a diversified company that designs, manufactures, and markets a wide range of products that serve a broad range of niche markets to customers worldwide.

They need a Process Engineer who will maintain and improve upon the manufacturing cost, processing performance and product quality for new and existing products,

The Process Engineer assists in the design and start-up of process equipment at plant locations and troubleshoots, standardizes, and improves existing products/processes.

The Process Engineer supports Plant Operations connecting R&D and Engineering functions to plant processes associated with manufacturing and assembling quality processes and products.

The Process Engineer develops processing specifications, standard works, root cause investigation, data analysis, and training. Deliverables include technical design specifications for equipment, processing specifications, process assistance to the plants and development of ACE justifications.

Requirements:

• BS Chemical, Mechanical, Plastics Engineering or Polymer Science Masters a plus
• 3 years in extrusion, calendering, converting web handling compounding, material handling
• Design of Experiment DOE, Technical software MRP systems, Plant production systems, Statistical software
• Ability to define problems, gather data, draw conclusions, and develop plans to address.
• Demonstrated ability to produce results within a collaborative team environment and to gain alignment and develop productive working relationships at all levels of the organization.
• Strong technical skills and analytical understanding
• Strong verbal and written/digital communication skills
• Attention to detail and deadline and budget awareness
• Previous experience/certifications in Lean manufacturing, 5S, and/or Six Sigma- desirable
• 25% travel to operating plants as needed

Please note that we can only accept applications from US Citizens or Green Card Holders. Our client will offer relocation assistance to US Citizens or Green Card holders. Our client will not sponsor visas for non US Citizens or anyone who does not hold a Green Card.

SENIOR BUYER/CATEGORY SPECIALIST -FM & CORPORATE/SITE SERVICES
"Graduate calibre, CIPS qualified Senior Buyer/ Category Specialist or Category Manager sought by global energy leader."

C£50-58000 (Dependent on Experience) + Bonus + Excellent Blue Chip Benefits Package

Location: North West (Hybrid Working)

Commutable from Ellesmere Port, Mold, Wrexham, Birkenhead, Wallasey, Chester, Warrington, Runcorn, Widnes, Liverpool, Crewe, Knutsford, Macclesfield, South Manchester, Wigan, Newton le Willows, Leigh, Heywood, Skelmersdale.

This is a permanent career development opportunity for a graduate calibre, CIPS qualified procurement professional to join a global multinational energy environment within its indirect spend area covering corporate and site services. Our client is a multi-site manufacturing/processing and complex matrix organisation.
Our client has an opportunity for a Senior Buyer/Category Specialist for its Indirect Services Category Management team. Specifically, you will support categories such as Corporate & Professional Services, Site Services, Facilities Management, Engineering, MRO, Operational Support and Consumables with tactical and operational buying activities.

The Senior Buyer/Category Specialist will operate as part of a large procurement category management team, and will work closely with national, European and global divisions and business units.

The Role:

• The delivery of agreed category plans through the execution of strategic sourcing projects to meet business partner requirements, maximizing value for our client.
• Contributing to the development of category plans by creating and owning sub-category plans
• Support the development of medium to long range category plans and be able to influence the development of value delivery plans through knowledge of local needs and local supply markets.
• The implementation of strategic sourcing and supplier management activities to deliver in year value as well as using knowledge of local needs and supplier capabilities to contribute to the development of long-range category plans developed using standard company tools and communicated through the appropriate governance models.
• Savings delivery is a critical component of the role and Senior Buyer will be responsible for ensuring the accuracy of reporting and management of value outlooks in standard company reporting tools.
• Collaborate with project specific stakeholders to ensure change management is efficient and effective to guarantee sustainable value delivery.
• Change management is a key challenge in the role and Senior Buyers must have expert influencing and negotiation skills alongside key technical competencies relating to procurement transactional planning, commercial contract management and supplier relationship management.
• Senior Buyers will provide the first line of supplier performance management activities to ensure sustainable and secure supply of goods and services to support ongoing safe and effective operation of facilities.

The Ideal Candidate:

• Will be university degree educated, part or fully qualified CIPS, with previous multinational strategic commercial procurement, buying and sourcing experience ideally within indirect categories, although experience in direct categories would still be of interest.
• Commercial procurement/tactical and strategic buying experience gained within a multinational matrix organisation.
• Currently working as a Buyer, Senior Buyer, Category Specialist or Category Manager for a large matrix organisation.
• Experienced in sourcing, negotiation, and management of £multi million spend categories.
• Experienced in developing strategic category plans.
• A proven track record of working with senior stakeholders across multiple sites.
• Self-starter, with lots of initiative, drive, and ambition to succeed.
• Confidence and capability Must be able to influence at all levels of the organisation through strong relationship management.
• Excellent analytical, research, communication, and presentation skills.
• Excellent team working ability, particularly with suppliers and sourcing managers.
• Ability to develop and manage strong relationships both internally and externally (e.g. suppliers).
• Highly motivated with a drive for results - performance focussed.
• Strong integrity ensuring procurement operates to high standards and is fully trusted by its internal and external stakeholders.
• Naturally analytical and inquisitive.
• Experience of SAP/SAP Ariba procurement systems essential.
• Demonstrate attention to detail to derive accurate and insightful recommendations.

Our client offers excellent development and the opportunity to make a real difference in a business that really values its people.
To apply without delay, please email your CV quoting reference LX 967278