Job Title: Plant Manager
Knauf stands for opportunity We know that opportunity looks different to each person, and we are proud that we see opportunity in everyone. This exciting role within Knauf Insulation could be the perfect next opportunity for you to build a unique career, in a values-led culture with a clear purpose of making tomorrow a home for all of us. We are a global manufacturer of construction materials and within our Group, our 41,500 team members in 90 countries across 300 sites provide a huge opportunity for anyone with ambition and energy. We value everyone's contribution equally and we ask that you bring your whole self to work, to enrich the business further, as together we achieve more in a safe and inclusive environment.
Knauf Insulation is proud to be part of the Knauf Group. ….. To learn more about the business, click here.
Can you say ‘yes’?...
Do you lead with a "Safety First" approach?
Do you have the ability to manage, develop and empower people?
Can you bring teams together in order to achieve production targets?
As our Plant Manager, you will responsible for the management and direction of all activities and resources within the Plant such as safety, manufacturing excellence, daily operations, daily services, cost control, people management. You will lead the plant, in compliance with laws, company policies, procedures and values, in order to achieve the financial and operating plant objectives.
What you’ll be doing…
• Direct the work of the production department to manufacture products at the lowest possible unit cost whilst maintaining an absolute focus on sustainability, quality, health & safety and other standards.
• Direct the work of the warehouse team to ensure efficient stocking and timely dispatch of products to customers.
• Direct the work of the Engineering Department to ensure the plant is suitably maintained, maximizing and aiming to continually improve operating efficiency within budget cost.
• Identify capital expenditure improvements projects and produce an annual Capex Plan. Implement projects through both plant and Central Engineering teams.
• Direct the work of the technical department to ensure that statutory and professional standards are maintained and that the process is fully understood and developed to maximize profitability.
• Liaise with central services departments external to the plant (HR, Finance, Sales, Marketing, Procurement, Product Development, Process Development & Industrial Performance to communicate changing requirements in terms of company policies, procedures, customers, product and process development, changes in legislation and so on.
• Ensure all employees have their performance appraised annually in order that they are working to agreed objectives.
• Negotiate with unions on pay claims and matters of common interest.
• Consider the medium and long term future of the plant taking into account likely market conditions.
• Develop and implement strategies to achieve long term success and continuously improve the cultural maturity of the plant.
• Industrial Performance Director and Managing Director to be informed regularly of any plant activities.
A full role profile is available upon request from HR/Talent Acquisition.
What we’d love for you to have:
We are interested in you as a person, your attitude, behaviours and values. If you have the willingness to learn anything you need for the role that you don't already have, we'd love to speak to you.
If you have any of the following – this would be an added advantage:
Proven track record of management in a continuous manufacturing process and in complex environments
Engineering Degree or equivalent
Working knowledge of Continuous Improvement techniques
Excellent communication skills (written, verbal and presentation) at all levels
Excellent negotiation / influence skills
Good financial appreciation
Ability to drive change in a multifaceted organisational structure
Leadership and determination
Flexible and self motivated, pragmatic & results oriented
We'll provide:
Competitive Salary with bonus scheme
Company Car
Enhanced Holiday Pay – 33 days including bank holidays plus the opportunity to purchase more
Private Health Care
16 weeks Company Sick Pay after 3 months of service
Group Income Protection
Enhanced Maternity, Paternity and Adoption packages
Life Assurance – 4 x annual salary
Defined Contribution Pension Scheme
Staff Bonus Scheme
Career Progression Routes
Employee Assistance Programme through Health Assured
Westfield Health Cash Plan
Perkbox
Access to Costco Membership
Wickes Employee Purchase Scheme
On site Gyms
Wellbeing Initiatives and Mental Health First Aiders
Car Salary Sacrifice Scheme
Cycle to work scheme
On site Car Charging Points
What happens next?
We appreciate that your time is precious and applying for a new job can be a lengthy process, so we will reply to your application ASAP.
Knauf Insulation welcomes applications from everyone and is committed to treating everyone equally, regardless of: age; sex; disability; ethnicity; gender identity; religion/belief; sexual orientation; marriage/civil partnership or pregnancy/maternity. In particular, we encourage applications from people from a minority background or from demographics that are underrepresented in the manufacturing industry.
We are a Disability Confident Committed Company (Level 1) and take care to ensure good EDI (Equality, Diversity & Inclusion) practices in all our operations. If you are invited to an interview, a member of our team will be in touch via email to enquire about any access requirements or reasonable adjustments that we can make for your interview.

Everyone sees opportunity differently. Knauf sees opportunity in everyone.
Similar to other global businesses, our 41,500 team members in 90 countries across 300 sites provide a huge opportunity for anyone with ambition and energy.
Unlike other global businesses, you may be surprised that Knauf is still a family-owned and run company and that means that our values and people-first culture are at the forefront of how the business operates.
This means that career with us can offer you something a bit special; family values at the heart combined with global success and influence.
Founded in 1932, we are one of the world’s leading manufacturers of construction materials for interior design, building insulation, and design ceilings. We are made up of 4 core divisions and our plants across the globe produce state-of-the-art drywall systems, plasters, and insulating materials as well as external thermal insulation composite systems.