Plant Manager - Lee Moor Herreschoff

The Company

Imerys is the world’s leading supplier of mineral-based specialty solutions for the industry with €3.4 billion in revenue and 12,300 employees in 40 countries in 2025. The Group offers high value-added and functional solutions to a wide range of industries and fast-growing markets such as solutions for the energy transition and sustainable construction, as well as natural solutions for consumer goods. Imerys draws on its understanding of applications, technological knowledge, and expertise in material science to deliver solutions which contribute essential properties to customers’ products and their performance. As part of its commitment to responsible development, Imerys promotes environmentally friendly products and processes in addition to supporting its customers in their decarbonization efforts.

Imerys is listed on Euronext Paris (France) with the ticker symbol NK.PA.

The Position

Plant Manager - Lee Moor Herreschoff

Job Summary

Plant Manager

Lee Moor, Devon

Salary: Competitive Salary + Bonus + Benefits
Contract: Permanent, Full-Time
Hours: 37.5 hours per week, Monday to Friday

Are you an experienced manufacturing leader looking for your next challenge? We are seeking a Plant Manager to lead our plant operations, delivering exceptional standards in safety, quality, operational performance and people leadership across a strategically important Imerys site.

The Company

Imerys is the world's leading supplier of mineral-based specialty solutions, serving customers across a wide range of industries including pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, construction, agriculture and manufacturing.

We are seeking an experienced and inspirational Plant Manager to lead our operation at Lee Moor, Devon. This is a unique opportunity to take ownership of a strategically important manufacturing facility producing high-value products for demanding international markets. 

The Role

Reporting to the Senior Operations Manager, the Plant Manager will have full responsibility for the safe, efficient and profitable operation of the site. 

This is a highly visible leadership position within Imerys, combining operational, engineering, financial and people leadership responsibilities. The successful candidate will lead a 24/7 continuous process operation, ensuring the highest standards of safety, environmental compliance, production performance and operational excellence. 

The role offers the opportunity to lead a lean and agile manufacturing site where you will have genuine influence over business performance, strategic direction and continuous improvement initiatives.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead all aspects of Health, Safety and Environmental performance, ensuring full compliance with UK legislation, company standards and operating permits.

• Drive a strong safety culture through visible leadership and continuous improvement initiatives.

• Deliver production targets safely, on time and to the required quality standards. 

• Manage and optimise operating costs, assets, resources and labour performance. 

• Prepare and manage annual operating and capital expenditure budgets. 

• Lead site improvement programmes and operational excellence activities

• Oversee major shutdowns, maintenance programmes and capital projects.

• Recruit, develop, coach and motivate employees, building capability and succession plans across the operation. 

• Build effective relationships with customers, regulatory bodies, local communities and senior internal stakeholders. 

• Ensure robust KPI management, reporting and process governance across the site

About You

We are looking for an accomplished operations leader with a strong manufacturing and engineering background who thrives in a fast-paced industrial environment.

Essential Experience

• Proven leadership experience within heavy engineering, mineral processing, cement, lime, chemicals or other continuous process manufacturing environments.

• Experience managing production, engineering and maintenance teams.

• Strong understanding of Health, Safety and Environmental requirements within industrial operations.

• Proven experience managing budgets, cost control and capital expenditure.

• Experience delivering operational improvement and continuous improvement programmes.

• Demonstrated ability to lead, motivate and develop multidisciplinary teams.

• Strong decision-making and problem-solving skills in complex operational environments.

Preferred Qualifications & Skills

• NEBOSH or equivalent SHE qualification, or willingness to achieve this qualification.

• Lean Manufacturing and/or Six Sigma knowledge.

• Experience of project management and major site shutdown activities.

• SAP or ERP systems experience.

• Strong IT and reporting skills, including spreadsheet-based analysis.

• Membership of a relevant professional institution would be advantageous

Why Join Imerys?

This role offers much more than day-to-day plant management.

You will be responsible for a flagship operation that produces specialist products supplied to high-value global markets. The site operates within a diverse UK manufacturing network, creating opportunities for future development and progression across Imerys.

You will also have the opportunity to:

• Lead a strategically important 24/7 manufacturing operation.

• Shape the future direction of the site.

• Deliver significant operational and capital improvement projects.

• Work within a global minerals organisation with strong long-term investment plans.

• Develop your career across a network of UK and international operations. 

Benefits

In addition to a competitive salary, Imerys offers an attractive benefits package including:

• Company Bonus Scheme

• Defined Contribution Pension Scheme

• Private Medical Insurance

• Group Life Assurance

• Income Protection

• 25 Days Holiday plus Bank Holidays

• Enhanced Family Leave Policies

• Employee Assistance Programme

• Cycle to Work Scheme

• Employee Discount Platform

• Wellbeing Support and Occupational Health Services

• Volunteer Leave and Carers Leave

• Long Service and Recognition Awards

Applications for this position close on 1st September 2026

Ready to make a difference?

If you are a safety-focused operational leader with a strong engineering background and the ambition to lead a high-performing manufacturing site, we would welcome your application

Position Type

Full time

and

Permanent

Only technical issues will be monitored through the below inbox:

recruiting.support@ imerys.com

PLEASE DO NOT SUBMIT RESUMES OR APPLICATIONS TO THIS EMAIL, AS THEY WILL NOT BE REVIEWED. 

To ensure fairness and legal compliance in our recruitment processes, only applications received through the online application process will be considered. 

IMERYS is an Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity Employer and it is our policy to not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, disability, veteran status, or any other status protected by federal, state or local laws.