Manufacturing Development Team Leader

A fantastic opportunity for an experienced Manufacturing Development Team Leader to join the technical team of a global packaging / recycling manufacturing business during a major site expansion programme. Permanent position. Monday to Friday. Excellent company benefits. Reporting to the Manufacturing Development Manager, the Manufacturing Development Team Leader will manage a team of Process Technicians and Process Technologists. The role covers water and effluent treatment, process chemistry, chemical management, product quality, environmental compliance and continuous improvement across a large process manufacturing site. This is a varied, hands-on leadership position with responsibility for delivering safe, efficient and compliant manufacturing processes. Key responsibilities: * Lead, manage and develop the Manufacturing Development team. * Promote a strong departmental safety culture and drive HSE improvements. * Monitor and optimise chemical usage, process efficiency and manufacturing costs. * Oversee fresh-water and effluent treatment processes, including dissolved air flotation and anaerobic and aerobic treatment. * Maintain environmental permit compliance and coordinate water-reduction and Legionella-control programmes. * Lead product development, feasibility studies and process improvement projects. * Use process modelling, quality data and production data to improve performance, material usage and plant reliability. * Oversee quality standards, testing equipment and customer complaint investigations. * Support ISO management systems, COSHH, food-contact, hygiene and environmental compliance. * Lead and support risk assessments and FMEA studies to reduce operational risk and plant downtime. * Work closely with Operations, Engineering and Projects teams to deliver improvement and capital projects. * Deputise for the Manufacturing Development Manager when required. * Participate in the site duty-management and on-call rota. Manufacturing Development Team Leader requirements: * Degree or Master’s degree in Chemical Engineering. * Technical or process experience within manufacturing, chemicals, paper, packaging, water treatment or another process industry. * Previous people-management or team-leadership experience. * Practical knowledge of chemicals and COSHH requirements. * Strong analytical and hands-on problem-solving skills. * Ability to interpret process, production and quality data. * Experience of environmental, quality and health and safety compliance within an industrial setting. * Strong communication skills and the ability to work effectively with technical, operational and engineering teams. * Six Sigma Green Belt qualification would be advantageous. * Paper or packaging manufacturing experience would also be advantageous. The Package: * Permanent position * 40 hours per week * Monday to Friday, 8:00am–4:30pm * Daily 30-minute unpaid meal break * Company pension: 6% employer contribution and minimum 3% employee contribution * Participation in the on-call rota * Opportunity to join a leading international manufacturer during a major period of investment and expansion This is an excellent opportunity to lead a technically important department and make a measurable contribution to the safety, compliance, quality and performance of a major manufacturing operation. For further information or an informal discussion, please contact Tim Hill at Technical Placements