Production & Maintenance Manager

Westray Recruitment Group is seeking a Production & Maintenance Manager to join our client on a permanent contract.

WHAT IS IN IT FOR YOU?

• Permanent role
• £50-60k DOE
• Tyne & Wear location
• Mon – Fri (Days)
• 25 days holiday plus bank holidays
• Company pension scheme
• Cycle To Work scheme
• Employee Assistance program
• Electric charging points on site
• Various staff events including charity events
• Greggs Friday!!
• Tyne & Wear location
• Easily accessible
• Supportive culture, inclusive environment and growing employer

THE BUSINESS

Westray Recruitment Group is seeking a Production & Maintenance Manager to work on a permanent contract for our client based in Tyne & Wear. This role has come about due to a new exciting arm to the business being created to enhance manufacturing capabilities.

The organisation produces a variety of products including food packaging. They provide themselves on their ability to provide innovative designs built on sustainability. They are a growing employer and their reputation has been built on offering high quality products at cost effective pricing. As a Production & Maintenance Manager, you will be responsible in overseeing the day-to-day operation of the new function.

THE ROLE

The successful candidate will be responsible for leading day-to-day production and maintenance activities within a high-volume plastic sheet extrusion operation, ensuring safe, efficient and cost-effective manufacturing while consistently delivering high-quality products.

Key responsibilities include:

• Managing extrusion operations to maximise productivity, efficiency and Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE).
• Planning labour resources and coordinating shift activities to achieve production schedules and customer delivery targets.
• Monitoring raw material consumption and ensuring products are manufactured to approved process parameters and formulations.
• Reviewing daily operational performance, including throughput, downtime, waste and quality metrics, identifying opportunities for continuous improvement.
• Working closely with Quality teams to maintain product standards and resolve manufacturing issues.
• Ensuring manufacturing processes comply with Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) requirements and relevant food-contact packaging regulations.
• Supporting the development of a positive health, safety and environmental culture, ensuring compliance with current UK legislation and company standards.
• Developing and managing preventative, predictive and reactive maintenance programmes to maximise equipment reliability.
• Leading root cause investigations into production and equipment failures, implementing corrective actions to prevent recurrence.
• Maintaining extrusion and associated downstream equipment to maximise plant availability and performance.
• Managing critical engineering spare parts to minimise production downtime.
• Driving continuous improvement initiatives to improve efficiency, reduce waste and optimise manufacturing performance.

THE PERSON

The ideal candidate will have experience within plastic extrusion manufacturing, preferably producing sheet products for food packaging or similar technical applications.

You will be able to demonstrate:

• Previous experience operating or managing plastic sheet extrusion processes, ideally involving PET-based materials.
• A good understanding of extrusion processing, polymer behaviour and manufacturing process controls.
• Knowledge of multi-layer extrusion, material blending systems and downstream converting operations would be advantageous.
• Experience leading production teams within a continuous manufacturing environment.
• A proven ability to analyse production issues, identify root causes and implement practical solutions.
• Familiarity with quality inspection techniques and precision measuring equipment used within plastics manufacturing.
• An understanding of preventative maintenance principles and equipment reliability.
• Strong organisational skills with the ability to interpret production data, maintain accurate records and manage competing priorities.
• Experience working within food-grade manufacturing or similarly regulated production environments.
• Knowledge of health, safety and quality management systems within an industrial setting.

Personal Qualities:

• Strong commitment to health, safety and quality standards.
• Hands-on leadership style with excellent communication skills.
• Highly organised with strong attention to detail.
• Positive, proactive approach to continuous improvement.
• Resilient and able to perform effectively in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
• Flexible and adaptable, with a willingness to support operational requirements as needed.
• Results-driven with a focus on efficiency, teamwork and delivering operational excellence.

TO APPLY

Please send your updated CV to Tony Hutchinson or apply direct by calling Westray Recruitment Group.