General Manager

Job Title - General Manager

Location - Lurgan

Salary - £65k-£75k

We are seeking an experienced and hands-on General Manager to lead the day-to-day operations of a busy polymers manufacturing facility specialising in polymer compounding, pulverising, and recycling processes.

This role is ideally suited to either an experienced General Manager or a strong Production Manager / Operations Manager ready to take the next step into a broader leadership role.

The successful candidate will take overall responsibility for plant performance, production efficiency, commercial performance, quality standards, health & safety, and staff leadership, ensuring the facility operates safely, efficiently, and profitably while maintaining high product and customer standards.

The role requires a practical leader with strong technical, operational, and commercial understanding of polymers manufacturing and recycling operations, who is comfortable being actively involved on the plant floor and leading teams in a fast-paced production environment.

Main Responsibilities

Plant & Operations Management

• Manage the day-to-day operations of the polymers production facility.
• Oversee polymer compounding, pulverising, recycling, and related manufacturing processes.
• Ensure production targets, quality standards, and delivery schedules are achieved.
• Monitor plant performance, production output, downtime, waste, and operational efficiencies.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives across production and plant operations.
• Ensure effective utilisation of machinery, materials, labour, and plant resources.
• Support preventative maintenance and equipment reliability initiatives.

Commercial & Operational Performance

• Actively promote the business, strengthen customer relationships and drive commercial growth.
• Identify and pursue new business opportunities, working closely with customers, suppliers and senior management.
• Drive innovation through new product development, process improvements and the identification of new market opportunities.
• Control operational costs, monitor production margins and drive improvements in plant profitability.
• Manage stock control, purchasing, production planning and costing to ensure efficient operations and reliable customer delivery.
• Implement initiatives to improve productivity, reduce waste and optimise operational performance.

Quality Management

• Take responsibility for the company's Quality Management System and ISO 9001 compliance.
• Ensure all products meet customer specifications and quality standards.
• Lead quality improvement initiatives and corrective action processes.
• Work closely with production and quality teams to resolve quality issues and reduce waste/rework.
• Maintain accurate quality documentation, audits, and process controls.

Health & Safety

• Lead and promote a strong health & safety culture across the facility.
• Ensure full compliance with all Health & Safety and environmental regulations.
• Conduct risk assessments and support safe systems of work.
• Lead incident investigations and implement corrective and preventative actions.
• Ensure employees are properly trained and operating safely at all times.

Staff Leadership & Development

• Lead, manage, and support production, warehouse, and operational staff.
• Maintain a strong visible presence on the plant floor.
• Foster a positive, accountable, and team-focused working environment.
• Manage staffing levels, training, performance, and employee development.
• Support recruitment and succession planning where required.

Key Requirements

Experience

• Proven experience within polymers, plastics, recycling, compounding, or related manufacturing industries.
• Previous experience in a Production Manager, Operations Manager, Plant Manager, or similar leadership role.
• Strong understanding of polymer manufacturing, pulverising, recycling, and production operations.
• Experience managing teams within a manufacturing environment.
• Experience working with ISO 9001 Quality Management Systems.
• Strong knowledge of Health & Safety practices within manufacturing.

Skills & Competencies

• Strong commercial awareness with the ability to balance operational efficiency and profitability.
• Customer-focused mindset with strong relationship management skills.
• Hands-on and practical leadership style.
• Strong organisational and problem-solving abilities.
• Good understanding of production planning and operational efficiency.
• Strong communication and people management skills.
• Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced production environment.
• Continuous improvement mindset.

Education

• Engineering, Manufacturing, Polymer, Technical, or related qualification preferred.
• Health & Safety or Quality qualifications advantageous.

Personal Attributes

• Self-motivated and results-driven.
• Practical and approachable management style.
• Strong sense of ownership and accountability.
• Comfortable working closely with operational teams on the plant floor.

Positive attitude with strong leadership capability