Materials Manager

Hours of Work: Mon-Thur 08:30-17:00 & Fri 08:30-16:00

Reports to: Head of Operations

Job Purpose:

This role leads process improvements in PVC extrusion and raw materials.

Key tasks include running production trials, working with material and equipment suppliers, analysing technical data, and resolving production issues.

Responsible for managing materials processing, mixing plant, and granulation areas.

Focus on improving processes, lowering and production costs, and reducing production times. Present performance data and action plans.

Key Accountabilities:

• Lead, coach and motivate team members in order to achieve business objectives
• Manage critical spares and preventive maintenance schedule(s)
• Oversee the implementation of new business processes
• Troubleshoot and improve processes
• Conduct and present ongoing analysis of manufacturing processes
• Develop and maintain a culture that develops two-way feedback and ensure communication takes place on a regular basis and at all levels, including regular "team-briefs"
• Liaise with suppliers to explore new materials, tooling, and process enhancements
• Lead and execute extrusion trials, including setup, monitoring, and evaluation of outcomes
• Liaise with suppliers to explore new materials, tooling, and process enhancements
• Troubleshoot technical issues in real-time, working closely with production teams to minimise downtime
• Analyse process data and present findings and recommendations to senior management
• Develop and implement improvements to reduce scrap rates, increase line efficiency, and enhance product quality
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure alignment with business objectives
• Maintain detailed technical records of trials, findings, and implemented changes
• Provide technical support and mentoring to junior technicians and operators
• Drive a culture of continuous improvement and operational excellence on the shop floor
• Ensure all process changes are fully validated and compliant with quality standards

Key Experiences and Skills Required:

• Extensive hands-on experience in PVC extrusion or similar polymer processing
• Strong troubleshooting skills and a methodical approach to problem solving
• Capable of interpreting technical data and using it to inform process decisions
• Confident in working independently and making decisions within defined parameters
• Experience of supplier engagement and trial coordination
• Ability to coach others on technical and process best practices
• Ability to use Microsoft Word, Excel, and Access, and quickly adapt to new software
• Ability to use own initiative and work under own supervision
• Must be assertive to ensure compliance with procedures
• Ability to explain processes / procedures & train others
• Ability to identify cost-saving measures and improvement activities

Desirables Skills, Qualifications and Experience Required:

• Experience leading people in a manufacturing environment
• Knowledge of polymer extrusion processes
• Mechanical engineering qualification(s)

Personal Attributes:

• Leadership - strong, consistent, clear, inspire others, integrity, ability to drive through change
• Empowering Others - Delegation of trust, correct controls, feedback, communicate accountability and responsibility
• Action orientated - Able to deal with problems in appropriate time frames
• Driven by results - Decisive, confident addressing problems and opportunities, challenging activities to improve performance, demonstrate willingness to challenge accepted methods and standards
• Effective communication - Clear concise written and spoken, ability at all levels, customer, supplier and internal
• High Standards - demonstrating a motivation to improve standards and thereby making a real difference, challenging inadequate solutions
• Integrity and trust - demonstrating a sense of commitment to openness, honesty, loyalty and high standards in undertaking the role
• People management - demonstrating commitment to working and engaging constructively with internal and external stakeholders
• Strategic agility - recognition of a changing need and speed of response, rapid reaction to challenges

The Company

Epwin Group is one of the leading manufacturers and suppliers of low maintenance building products with some of the best-known manufacturing and service names in the sector.

We are one of the UK’s largest manufacturers and suppliers of windows, doors and fascia systems with some of the best-known manufacturing and service names in the sector.

The principal activities of the Group are the extrusion of PVC-U and roofline products as well as the manufacture of windows, doors, conservatories and sealed units. Group businesses also produce high quality cladding, guttering, decking and prefabricated GRP building components.

At Epwin, we believe our success has come from the hard work and dedication of our employee's, we wouldn't be where we are today without them.

We take pride in our people

At Epwin, we believe our success has come from the hard work and dedication of our employee's, we wouldn't be where we are today without them.

We'll be interested in our future, constantly investing and innovating in new products, processes and our employee's and we like to give back to our employee's as much as they give us.

The Benefits

Telus Health (Lifeworks) is a confidential employee support platform to help employees and their family's deal with life challenges.

Holidays

Your holiday entitlement will be detailed in your contract of employment.

Cycle to Work

Obtain a bike and/or cycling accessories to use for cycling to work whilst making income tax and National Insurance savings.

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