Plant General Manager

An exciting opportunity has arisen for an experienced Plant General Manager to assume full operational responsibility for a well-established manufacturing site. Leading a large team, you will drive operational excellence, profitability, business performance and a culture of continuous improvement.

VPK Packaging - UK & Ireland is looking to appoint an inspirational leader who combines strong commercial acumen with a genuine passion for people, operational excellence and continuous improvement to lead our Selby manufacturing operation.

With an annual turnover of approximately £53 million and a workforce of around 180 employees, this is a significant leadership opportunity within a fast-paced, multi-shift manufacturing environment.

Overseeing manufacturing, engineering, planning, logistics, warehousing, quality and health, safety & environment, the successful candidate will be responsible for delivering operational performance, developing high-performing teams and ensuring the site continues to meet the highest standards of safety, quality and customer service.

The Role

As Plant General Manager, you'll take ownership of the day-to-day operation and longer-term strategic development of the site.

Your key responsibilities will include:

• Lead, motivate and develop the workforce across manufacturing, engineering, planning, logistics, warehousing, quality and health & safety.
• Champion a safety-first culture, ensuring compliance with all relevant legislation, company procedures and health & safety standards.
• Develop and implement operational strategies to improve productivity, efficiency, quality and customer satisfaction.
• Establish and monitor clear operational KPIs, driving accountability and measurable improvements across all departments.
• Ensure the site maintains all relevant accreditations and certifications, consistently meeting customer, quality, legal and regulatory requirements.
• Drive lean manufacturing principles and continuous improvement initiatives to reduce waste, improve machine performance and maximise operational efficiency.
• Oversee production planning, engineering performance, warehouse operations and transport efficiency.
• Identify opportunities to improve labour utilisation, manufacturing costs and overall profitability.
• Work closely with commercial teams and key customers to support business growth and maintain excellent service levels.
• Develop a strong leadership team through coaching, succession planning, training and performance management.
• Promote a positive, collaborative and accountable culture where employees are encouraged to contribute ideas and drive improvements.

About You

We are looking for a proven manufacturing leader who has successfully managed a sizeable, fast-paced production operation and understands how to balance commercial performance with operational excellence.

Ideally, you will have:

• Significant senior leadership experience within manufacturing, ideally as a Plant General Manager, General Manager, Site Director, Operations Director or similar.
• A strong background in lean manufacturing, preferably within the packaging or corrugated industry.
• Proven experience managing a large, multi-disciplinary workforce within a multi-shift manufacturing environment.
• Demonstrable experience managing a manufacturing P&L, with a strong track record of delivering financial performance, cost control and profitability improvements.
• A successful track record of delivering operational improvements, organisational change and continuous improvement programmes.
• Strong knowledge of manufacturing KPIs, including productivity, waste, downtime, labour efficiency and quality performance.
• Excellent leadership and people development skills, with the ability to engage, influence and motivate teams at all levels.
• Experience working with ERP systems, ideally SAP.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the confidence to make commercially sound decisions.
• A customer-focused approach and the ability to build effective relationships with internal and external stakeholders.

A degree or equivalent qualification in Engineering, Manufacturing or Commerce would be advantageous, along with formal Continuous Improvement or Lean Six Sigma qualifications, ideally Black Belt.

Most importantly, we're looking for a visible, approachable and results-driven leader who is comfortable being hands-on within the operation while maintaining a clear strategic focus.

Salary & Benefits

In addition to a competitive executive remuneration package, we offer an excellent range of benefits, including:

• Company car or car allowance
• 15% annual bonus opportunity , dependent on achievement of agreed KPIs
• Executive pension scheme – 9.5% employer contribution
• BUPA private medical cover
• Income Protection cover
• Critical Illness cover
• Death in Service benefit – 4 x basic annual salary