Site Manager – Factory & Warehouse
Rookwood Operations Ltd develops natural, circular solutions to remove nutrient and contaminant pollution from water, soil, and food systems. By capturing elements such as phosphorus, we convert harmful pollutants into valuable resources, helping to restore ecosystems and strengthen sustainable food production.
We work closely with partners across the water, agriculture, and development sectors to build a nature‑positive nutrient cycle.
We work openly, communicate clearly, and support one another. We keep things simple, stay accountable, and focus on high‑quality work that delivers real, positive environmental impact.
We are recruiting a Site Manager at our Factory & Warehouse in Somerset
The Site Manager leads all operational, safety, and compliance activities across the factory and warehouse, ensuring that production, storage, and logistics processes run safely, efficiently, and in line with regulatory, commercial, and customer requirements. The role acts as the senior on‑site authority for people leadership, asset performance, risk management, chemical safety, and safe lifting operations.
Key Responsibilities
Operational Leadership
- Oversee daily factory and warehouse operations, ensuring production schedules, inventory flows, and dispatch targets are met.
- Coordinate cross‑functional teams to maintain smooth end‑to‑end operations across production, maintenance, logistics, and quality.
- Monitor KPIs such as throughput, OEE, stock accuracy, order fulfilment, downtime, and lifting-equipment utilisation.
- Ensure optimal use of plant, equipment, warehouse space, and chemical storage areas.
- Health, Safety, Environment & Compliance
- Act as the site’s senior HSE lead, ensuring full compliance with legislation, permits, and internal policies.
- Maintain a robust safety culture through training, audits, incident investigations, and proactive risk reduction.
- Oversee chemical safety, including correct classification, labelling, segregation, storage, spill response, and safe handling procedures.
- Ensure compliance with chemical regulations, SDS management, bunding, ventilation, and PPE requirements.
- Lead safe systems of work for manual handling and mechanical lifting, including risk assessments, lifting plans, equipment inspections, and operator competency.
- Ensure all documentation, inspections, and certifications for lifting equipment (forklifts, hoists, cranes, pallet stackers) are maintained.
People Management
- Lead, coach, and develop operational teams, including supervisors, technicians, and warehouse staff.
- Manage staffing levels, shift patterns, performance reviews, and skills development.
- Promote a culture of accountability, safety, and continuous improvement, with emphasis on chemical awareness and safe lifting behaviours.
Quality & Regulatory Assurance
- Ensure production and storage activities meet quality standards and regulatory requirements.
- Maintain traceability, batch records, and documentation integrity
- Work with Quality teams to resolve non‑conformances, including those related to chemical contamination, spills, or handling errors.
Planning & Logistics
- Oversee inbound materials, internal movements, and outbound logistics.
- Ensure accurate inventory control, stock rotation, and warehouse housekeeping, with special controls for chemical segregation and temperature‑sensitive materials.
- Collaborate with supply chain teams on forecasting, procurement, and transport planning, including ADR‑compliant movements where applicable.
Asset & Maintenance Oversight
- Ensure equipment reliability through planned maintenance and rapid response to breakdowns.
- Oversee maintenance of chemical storage systems (bunds, extraction, dosing systems) and lifting equipment.
- Support capital projects, upgrades, and commissioning of new equipment, ensuring chemical and lifting safety are embedded in design.
Financial & Governance Responsibilities
- Manage site budgets, cost controls, and operational expenditure.
- Provide accurate reporting to senior management on performance, risks, and improvement plans, including chemical inventory risks and lifting-equipment compliance.
- Lead or support audits, regulatory inspections, and board‑level reviews.
Continuous Improvement
- Drive Lean, 5S, Kaizen, and other improvement methodologies.
- Identify opportunities to improve safety, efficiency, quality, and cost, with specific focus on chemical handling processes and lifting operations.
- Lead change management initiatives across the site.
Skills, Experience & Competencies
Essential
- Proven leadership experience in manufacturing, warehousing, or industrial operations.
- Strong understanding of HSE regulations, risk management, and safe systems of work.
- Demonstrated experience managing chemical safety, including storage, handling, and emergency response.
- Competence in manual handling and mechanical lifting operations, including equipment oversight and operator training.
- Experience managing teams in a fast‑paced, multi‑shift environment.
- Knowledge of production processes, logistics flows, and inventory management.
- Ability to manage budgets, contractors, and capital projects.
Desirable
- Qualifications in engineering, operations management, logistics, or chemical safety.
- Experience with ERP/WMS systems.
- Training in Lean, Six Sigma, or continuous improvement methodologies.
- Experience in regulated industries such as chemical manufacturing, environmental services, food, or pharmaceuticals.
Key Behaviours
- Decisive leadership with a calm, structured approach under pressure.
- Strong communication and stakeholder management skills.
- Commitment to safety, quality, and operational discipline, especially in chemical and lifting environments.
- Proactive problem‑solving and continuous improvement mindset.
- Ability to balance strategic thinking with hands‑on operational presence.
Job Types: Full-time, Permanent
Work Location: In person (Wells, Somerset)
Pay: £46,000.00-£50,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- Company pension
- Free parking
- On-site parking
Job Types: Full-time, Permanent
Pay: £46,000.00-£50,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- Company pension
- Free parking
- On-site parking
Work Location: In person
