Production Manager at H.B. Fuller

Position Overview

The Production Manager at our Preston site supports the Plant Manager and is responsible for overseeing safe, efficient, and high-quality manufacturing of bonding agents. This role leads daily operations across five plant areas and ensures compliance with UK legislation and H.B. Fuller EHS standards. The ideal candidate will also contribute to cross-functional plant projects and continuous improvement initiatives.

Primary Responsibilities

• Ensure adherence to H.B. Fuller’s EHS standards and UK Health & Safety regulations
• Foster and promote a strong safety culture within manufacturing and warehouse operations
• Supervise production across five areas with annual output of 2,800–3,200 tonnes
• Plan and allocate manpower, including external temporary labor
• Monitor and report plant-level KPIs to operational leadership
• Ensure high availability and efficiency of production equipment in collaboration with maintenance
• Lead and develop production team members to meet quality and service goals
• Support internal projects related to equipment, quality, logistics, and safety
• Identify and implement continuous improvement initiatives
• Participate in customer audits as needed

Minimum Requirements

• Degree in Chemical Engineering (or equivalent) or similar technical qualification (e.g. HNC)
• 5+ years of experience in manufacturing
• 5+ years of experience managing teams in a production environment
• Strong communication skills with the ability to operate across all organizational levels
• Fluent in English, both spoken and written
• Practical knowledge of KPI deployment and operational performance metrics
• High proficiency in Microsoft Office tools

Preferred Requirements

• Experience in adhesives, paints, inks, or chemical production
• Exposure to international manufacturing environments
• Familiarity with Lean, 5S, and Six Sigma methodologies (certification a plus)
• Strong leadership track record and performance management experience
• Proficient in ERP systems (e.g., SAP or PRISM)