Group Manufacturing Director - Manufacturing Operations

Our client manufactures plumbing, heating, air-conditioning, and refrigeration (PHAR) fittings and valves on a global scale. Operating from multiple production sites across Europe, the company is widely recognised for its engineering excellence and the reliability of what it makes.

The successful candidate will assume complete accountability for the operational, financial, and strategic results of the group's European manufacturing facilities, while also coordinating closely with its Asian manufacturing partners. Reporting into the Group CEO, you will work primarily to achieve or exceed budgeted performance at every plant, all the while keeping operations safe, efficient, competitive on cost, and centred on the customer.

Pitched at senior operational leadership level, the role will appeal to a professional grounded in engineering and manufacturing who has genuinely led across several sites. Running an international operation of this scale takes considerable energy and organisation, and the post carries frequent business reviews alongside regular travel throughout Europe and Asia.

Responsibilities:

• Building and developing the manufacturing leadership team, taking in succession planning and employee engagement
• Holding accountability for manufacturing costs at every site and driving ongoing gains in cost competitiveness
• Keeping each facility on track to hit its budgeted operational, quality, and safety targets
• Guaranteeing that products reliably meet both customer and regulatory quality expectations
• Collaborating with Commercial, Sales, Supply Chain, and the Executive Leadership team on cross-functional improvement work
• Upholding a safe working environment and complete regulatory and environmental compliance at all locations
• Reporting on performance to the CEO each month, flagging significant risks quickly, and keeping a rolling 12-month manufacturing improvement plan in place
• Planning, justifying, carrying out, and tracking capital investment projects across the manufacturing footprint
• Working hand in hand with the Supply Chain Director to meet customer service commitments and deliver the approved production plan
• Driving alignment, performance, and dependable supply from Asian manufacturing operations, with regular supplier performance reviews

This role can be based in Wetzlar or Attendorn, Germany, Cordoba, Spain, or Poznan, Poland, and involves extensive international travel across Europe and Asia.

Requirements

• Experience running large operational budgets and manufacturing P&L
• A track record you can evidence of raising productivity, cost, quality, safety, and profitability through Lean manufacturing, operational excellence, and continuous improvement
• Fluent spoken and written English, backed by excellent communication skills
• Proven leadership of international, multi-site manufacturing across Europe, with ownership of operational, financial, and strategic performance
• Familiarity with the plumbing, heating, air-conditioning, and refrigeration (PHAR) sector, valves, fluid control, or comparable industrial or automotive Tier 1 manufacturing is useful, though not a prerequisite
• An engineering degree (Mechanical, Manufacturing, Industrial, or equivalent) is essential; an MBA, postgraduate business qualification, or Lean Six Sigma Black Belt would strengthen an application
• A commercially minded leader who can influence executives and lead cross-functional collaboration across Manufacturing, Supply Chain, Sales, and Finance
• The willingness and capacity to undertake extensive international travel across Europe and Asia
• Hands-on experience with capital investment projects, spanning justification, execution, and post-investment review
• Experience presenting operational and financial performance to CEO or Board-level audiences
• Experience coordinating with manufacturing partners or suppliers outside your home region, ideally including Asian manufacturing operations
• Strong people development and leadership skills, including a history of building succession plans for critical roles

Benefits

• Base salary range €120,000 - €150,000
• Annual bonus scheme, incremental up to a maximum of 40% of base salary, based on budget being reached and above
• Paid leave ranges from 21 to 30 days annually depending on location

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