Production and Maintenance Manager
£50k - £65k depending on experience
Overview
A Production Manager with a Maintenance and Process bias in the field of plastics extrusion. The Production Manager will play a central role in the development of the extrusion division, from machine installation, operator training programs to establishing systems and procedures and creating a stable, efficient and safe manufacturing operation.
We are seeking an Experienced Extrusion Production Manager to manage all aspects of the manufacture of high-quality APET and rPET sheet products in compliance with food packaging and safety standards for use in our Thermoformed Packaging Division.
Ultimately, the Production Manager will oversee daily manufacturing operations and equipment reliability, directing shift teams (24/7), ensuring safe, efficient operations, and ensuring extrusion lines hit production targets while executing preventive maintenance, world-class quality standards and driving continuous improvement projects.
This role requires experience in polymer processing, extrusion operations, process control, quality assurance, and preventive and reactive maintenance within a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
Production Management
- Drive extrusion line efficiency, output, and Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE).
- Coordinate manpower scheduling and shift allocations to meet delivery deadlines.
- Monitor polymer material usage and ensure production to defined recipes.
- Track daily KPIs (scrap rates, downtime, throughput) and produce actionable performance reports.
- Enforce strict quality control protocols in partnership with the QA/QC team
- Enforce GMP (Good Manufacturing Practices) and ensure all APET film formulations and processing aids meet global food-contact safety standards (e.g., FDA, EFSA).
- Work closely with the QHS Manager to execute workplace policies and ensure compliance with UK legislation, prevent occupational injuries and create a world-class safety culture.
Maintenance
- Manage Reactive, Preventive & Predictive Maintenance (PPM): Develop strategies to service extruders proactively, dies, chill rolls, winders, drives, melt pump, drive motors and downstream automation.
- Ensure maximum Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE) by reducing mechanical, electrical, and controls-related breakdowns.
- Lead RCA on equipment failures and process defects (e.g., black specks, gauge variations, and gels) to prevent recurrence.
- Maintain machinery in accordance with GMP and food-contact packaging standards (e.g., BRC)
- Manage inventory levels for critical spare parts (heating elements, thermocouples, motors, and gearbox components).
Desirable Skills & Experience
- Previous experience operating plastic sheet extrusion equipment, ideally within APET, or rPET processing.
- Process Knowledge: Familiarity with co-extrusion, gravimetric blending, and downstream converting processes (like thermoforming) that utilize the APET film.
- Leadership: Ability to manage continuous shift operations, train production teams, and foster a safety-conscious, zero-defect manufacturing culture.
- Good understanding of extrusion process controls and polymer behaviour.
- Ability to interpret production specifications and quality standards.
- Experience using measurement and inspection equipment such as micrometres, thickness gauges, and visual quality systems and coefficient of friction test equipment.
- Strong problem-solving and fault-finding skills.
- Ability to work independently and as part of a production team.
- Good numeracy and record-keeping skills.
- Awareness of health & safety requirements within a manufacturing environment.
- Experience within food-grade packaging manufacturing.
- Knowledge of thermoforming sheet requirements and downstream converting processes.
Pay: £50,000.00-£65,000.00 per year
Experience:
- thermoform manufacturing : 2 years (required)
Work Location: In person
