General Manager

General ManagerFlexible Packaging ManufacturingSouth Coast, England Excellent PackageWe have been retained on a confidential basis to appoint a General Manager for an established, privately owned UK flexible packaging manufacturer. The business has invested significantly in modern manufacturing technology, presses, automation and capacity. It is now seeking an accomplished operational leader to help translate this investment into further improvements in manufacturing performance, productivity, quality and customer service.This is a highly visible, hands-on GM leadership role. The successful candidate will combine genuine technical credibility with the leadership capability to engage people, raise standards and deliver sustainable operational improvement.The roleKey priorities will include:• Improving output, productivity, OEE and plan attainment• Reducing waste, downtime and recurring process losses• Improving setup performance, asset utilisation and equipment reliability• Strengthening operational discipline and accountability• Developing managers, supervisors and operational teams• Improving coordination across print, prepress, planning, engineering and production• Maintaining a strong focus on OTIF, quality and customer service• Progressively taking broader leadership responsibility across manufacturingThe role offers considerable scope to influence the future performance of the business and be an important member of the senior leadership team.Candidate profileWe are particularly interested in senior manufacturing leaders who have:• A strong career background within flexible packaging manufacturing• Genuine practical experience of wide web flexographic printing• Progressed from printing or production into senior operational leadership• Strong technical understanding of print processes and manufacturing performance• A demonstrable record of improving productivity, waste, downtime, OEE, OTIF and service• Experience developing operational teams and creating greater accountability• The commercial judgement and leadership breadth to assume increasing responsibilityLocation: South Coast, EnglandThe successful candidate will need to live within practical commuting distance of the manufacturing operations. Relocation support can be considered for an exceptional candidate.ConfidentialityThis appointment is being managed as a strictly confidential executive search. The identity of the company will only be disclosed to suitably qualified candidates following an initial confidential discussion with Novo Executive Search.