Head of Department- Extrusion

Are you a proactive production leader who thrives on the factory floor rather than sitting behind a desk?

Ready to take full operational ownership of a modern blown film extrusion department, leading an 80-strong team to success?

If you’re looking for a pivotal role where your presence drives performance, safety, and continuous improvement every single day this is the move you’ve been waiting for.

Head of department- Extrusion

• £45,000
• Corby
• Monday to Friday days
  • Company Car
  • 22 Days Holiday + Bank Holidays
  • Pension Scheme
  • On-Site Canteen
  • Free Parking

Joining an established, market-leading flexible packaging manufacturer, you will take direct responsibility for a state-of-the-art Blown Film Extrusion Department. Reporting to the Production Manager, you will serve as the operational anchor across an 80/20 shop-floor-to-office split, focusing on driving team performance, operational excellence, and high-spec production quality.

Key Responsibilities

• Drive Shop-Floor Performance: Lead, mentor, and motivate shift personnel and Team Leaders, building a positive team culture and tracking daily KPIs to hit efficiency and waste targets.
• Hands-On Operational Management: Manage day-to-day employee matters including attendance, absence management, overtime, and shift coverage with active support from HR and upper management.
• Maintain Gold Standards: Champion Health & Safety, PPE compliance, and quality management systems (BRC / ISO), embedding a robust safety-first mindset across all shifts.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Partner directly with internal & external Engineering, Quality, and Planning teams to minimize machine downtime and streamline production workflows.
• Continuous Improvement: Identify process bottlenecks, reduce scrap levels, and support the implementation of modern manufacturing techniques and new machinery investments.

What We Are Looking For

• Blown Film Expertise: Background within a blown film extrusion environment with a solid technical understanding of polymer processing and machinery.
• Natural Team Leader: Proven ability to manage, engage, and hold teams accountable without needing to run the machines yourself.
• Continuous Improvement Mindset: Practical experience driving continuous improvement, waste reduction, and root-cause problem solving on the factory floor.
• Safety & Quality Focused: Knowledge of standard manufacturing compliance (H&S, BRC, ISO) and a commitment to maintaining a safe, structured working environment.