Plant Operations Manager - Automotive Manufacturing (Greenfield Site) Location: Basildon, Essex (On-site) Salary: Competitive + benefits Overview We are supporting an established European manufacturing business as they launch a new UK production facility in Basildon. This is a greenfield site, replicating a successful operation in Italy, focused on plastic injection moulding and associated finishing processes (including painting) for the automotive sector. This is a key hire who will play a pivotal role in setting up, stabilising, and scaling the plant from the ground up. The Role As Plant Operations Manager, you will take ownership of the day-to-day operational setup and running of the facility, ensuring readiness for production and supporting long-term growth. You will work closely with international stakeholders (Italy HQ) and be instrumental in building the UK team and operational capability. Key Responsibilities Site Setup and Readiness Support final stages of site preparation and operational readiness Coordinate installation of production machinery (target June-July) Ensure the plant is fully operational for production go-live (target September) Operations Management Oversee day-to-day plant operations, ensuring efficiency, quality, and safety Implement processes aligned with the existing Italian operation Drive continuous improvement across production, workflow, and output Team Build and Leadership Lead initial hiring of 10 staff, scaling to 30+ over time ..... full job details .....