Login to Apply

Site Director
Cockermouth

About James Walker
A privately owned global industrial business, supplying a vast range of high performance fluid sealing products and associated knowledge-based services to virtually every industry sector. With state-of-the-art skills in materials technology, particularly relating to elastomers, polymers, composites and engineering plastics plus extensive expertise in precision machining of exotic alloys for metallic seals, and tension control fasteners for bolted joints.

Your Role

Responsible for James Walker’s largest UK manufacturing site, you will lead a transformative journey. As the Cockermouth Site Director, you won’t just lead operations—you’ll shape the future of our facility and drive innovation.

We are looking for someone who can manage investment and refurbishment without affecting product quality or production. This is your chance to make a significant impact by steering our site, collaborating with cross functional leaders and driving employee engagement. You will deliver World Class performance across the James Walker & Co site and business, and act as the leader of the James Walker Group Elastomer Centre of Excellence.

Key Responsibilities

* As Site Director you will chair cross functional meetings of all functional leaders on site

* Leading and driving employee engagement and enablement across all teams on site, to improve overall business performance.

* Managing the relationship with the Union; chair Union Meetings, deal with disputes and lead T&Cs and wage negotiations.

* Ensure the site delivers a right first time, quality product to customers.

* Delivering World Class performance at the Cockermouth site, driving Lean/CI initiatives to raise productivity, quality and customer service levels whilst reducing cost.

* Develop and implement a site manufacturing strategy which is aligned to the James Walker Group and SBU strategic plan.

* Being a key sponsor for the successful site deployment of the new end-to-end IT system (Project Keystone utilising Syteline 10).

* Maintaining registration to Health & Safety, Quality and Environmental Management Systems

* Ensuring the highest levels of health and safety are maintained by employees, contractors and visitors at the Cockermouth site.

* Working closely across all functions of the business and ensuring the matrix management structure works effectively for the business and supports the delivery of the business goals.

* Work with external stakeholders to develop James Walker relationships and standings within the local community.

About you

Essential Experience

* Demonstrate strong and impactful leadership, motivation and drive.

* Experienced in Manufacturing Planning

* Demonstrated experience as successful manufacturing Operations/Site Manager.

* Able to contribute to the strategic development of a business and develop and execute strategy.

* Demonstrated delivery of a step change in performance within a manufacturing business.

* Demonstrated delivery of a step change in site HS&E performance.

* Has led CI/Lean/Operational Excellence projects to successful conclusions.

* Understands what World Class Management Operating Systems looks like.

Preferred Experience

* Black belt in Lean/6 Sigma

* Has led CI/Lean/Operational Excellence deployment across a site.

* Has helped shape, deploy and optimise an ERP solution across a business.

* Experience of successful complex capital project management and delivery.

* Experience of high variety, low volume, bespoke manufacturing for critical applications.

Qualifications:

Essential Experience

• Degree level qualification (or equivalent).

Preferred Experience

* NEBOSH

* Recognised Project Management qualification

Application End Date: 01/01/2025