We are a fast-growing plastics recycling company located in Co. Meath, Ireland, with a growing workforce of 50 people. Specialising in converting waste PET plastic materials using state-of-the-art recycling technology, we are a market leader in providing circular solutions in the plastics industry in Europe. As we continue our growth trajectory, with the potential to treble in size over the next five years, we are seeking a highly capableOperations Manager to lead and optimise our operations.
In this role, you will take full ownership of our manufacturing operations, currently run by our hands-on CEO, and bring a fresh perspective of continuous improvement, operational excellence, and team development. You will play a crucial role in enhancing our operational efficiency, fixing recurring problems, and developing and nurturing a culture of continuous improvement, while adhering to the company values of integrity, innovation, ambition and social responsibility. You will also be responsible for developing and motivating shift teams, with a focus on making them increasingly self-sufficient over time.
Given the nature of our business —manufacturing from recycled materials— this position demands an experienced professional with a keen understanding of the complexities of operations management, who is adaptable, solutions-focused, and skilled at driving change while also having a passion for sustainability and the circular economy.
Key Responsibilities
Operations Leadership
* Lead and manage production, quality, warehouse, and EHS teams to achieve operational excellence with the aim of building self-managing, highly capable production teams.
* Drive performance metrics and ensure adherence to high standards of product quality, safety, and sustainability.
* Implement strategies to optimize site performance, ensuring alignment with company goals.
* Become the onsite leader and expert in the use of NetSuite ERP system to streamline operations.
* Train and support team members in using NetSuite effectively throughout the operations teams.
* Continuously monitor and optimise the use of the ERP system to improve efficiency and data accuracy.
* Drive performance metrics and ensure adherence to high standards of product quality, safety, operational efficiency and sustainability.
* Foster collaboration across departments to deliver smooth, efficient, and safe operations.
* Promote and integrate Lean manufacturing practices such as Six Sigma, 5S, and other efficiency methodologies to streamline operations and foster a culture of continuous improvement.
Production Management
* Support the Operations Supervisor in meeting production targets with minimal downtime and a continual focus on right first-time quality.
* Implement continuous improvement initiatives, reducing waste and operational bottlenecks, while embedding a culture of operational excellence.
* Take ownership of plant performance, ensuring that production targets and key performance indicators (KPIs) are met consistently.
Quality Assurance
* Work with the Quality Controller to uphold strict quality control and compliance standards.
* Lead initiatives to identify and address quality issues, ensuring customer satisfaction.
* Promote a culture of quality awareness and continuous improvement.
* Identify and implement improvements across the quality department and day to day operations.
* Support the quality supervisor in ensuring the adherence to ISO9001 standards.
Warehouse
* Collaborate with the Warehouse Supervisor to ensure seamless inventory management and material flow.
* Optimize storage, logistics, and handling to support production schedules and minimize costs.
* Implement lean practices to improve warehouse efficiency and reduce waste.
* Implement stock control systems to ensure up to date an accurate inventory and locations.
Environmental, Health, and Safety (EHS)
* Partner with the EHS Supervisor to maintain full compliance with safety and environmental regulations.
* Champion initiatives to improve safety culture and reduce environmental impact.
* Lead sustainability efforts to align with the company’s environmental goals.
* Support the EHS supervisor in ensuring the adherence to ISO14001 standards.
Financial and Performance Management
* Manage site budgets, ensuring cost-effective operations while maintaining high standards.
* Monitor and analyse key performance metrics to ensure site goals are met.
* Identify opportunities for cost savings and process optimization.
Required Experience & Skills
* Proven Experience in Operations Management: Ideally, candidates will have 10 years of experience, but a minimum of 5 years is required of hands-on experience in an operations leadership role within a manufacturing environment, preferably dealing with plastic recycling or extrusion processes.
* Operational Excellence: Demonstrated ability to implement Lean, Six Sigma, or other continuous improvement methodologies, improving plant efficiency, reducing downtime, and enhancing production quality.
* Leadership & Team Development: Experience managing, motivating, and developing shift-based teams, with a track record of fostering self-sufficiency and high performance in production teams.
* Problem-Solving & Decision-Making: Strong analytical skills, with a history of successfully addressing recurring operational challenges and implementing long-term, sustainable solutions.
* Technical Knowledge (Desired): Familiarity with extrusion processes and machinery, such as Starlinger or Erema equipment, would be a strong advantage.
* Continuous Improvement Culture: Adept at fostering a culture of continuous improvement, with proven success in embedding operational best practices in a growing company.
* Change Management: Ability to lead change in a fast-growing organisation, with experience scaling operations and integrating new technology while maintaining high performance and employee engagement.
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