Manufacturing Development Team Leader
CV-LibraryME6, Snodland, KentpermanentPosted: 17 August 2026
Apply NowA fantastic opportunity for an experienced Manufacturing Development Team Leader to join the technical team of a global packaging / recycling manufacturing business during a major site expansion programme. Permanent position. Monday to Friday. Excellent company benefits.
Reporting to the Manufacturing Development Manager, the Manufacturing Development Team Leader will manage a team of Process Technicians and Process Technologists. The role covers water and effluent treatment, process chemistry, chemical management, product quality, environmental compliance and continuous improvement across a large process manufacturing site.
This is a varied, hands-on leadership position with responsibility for delivering safe, efficient and compliant manufacturing processes.
Key responsibilities:
* Lead, manage and develop the Manufacturing Development team.
* Promote a strong departmental safety culture and drive HSE improvements.
* Monitor and optimise chemical usage, process efficiency and manufacturing costs.
* Oversee fresh-water and effluent treatment processes, including dissolved air flotation and anaerobic and aerobic treatment.
* Maintain environmental permit compliance and coordinate water-reduction and Legionella-control programmes.
* Lead product development, feasibility studies and process improvement projects.
* Use process modelling, quality data and production data to improve performance, material usage and plant reliability.
* Oversee quality standards, testing equipment and customer complaint investigations.
* Support ISO management systems, COSHH, food-contact, hygiene and environmental compliance.
* Lead and support risk assessments and FMEA studies to reduce operational risk and plant downtime.
* Work closely with Operations, Engineering and Projects teams to deliver improvement and capital projects.
* Deputise for the Manufacturing Development Manager when required.
* Participate in the site duty-management and on-call rota.
Manufacturing Development Team Leader requirements:
* Degree or Master’s degree in Chemical Engineering.
* Technical or process experience within manufacturing, chemicals, paper, packaging, water treatment or another process industry.
* Previous people-management or team-leadership experience.
* Practical knowledge of chemicals and COSHH requirements.
* Strong analytical and hands-on problem-solving skills.
* Ability to interpret process, production and quality data.
* Experience of environmental, quality and health and safety compliance within an industrial setting.
* Strong communication skills and the ability to work effectively with technical, operational and engineering teams.
* Six Sigma Green Belt qualification would be advantageous.
* Paper or packaging manufacturing experience would also be advantageous.
The Package:
* Permanent position
* 40 hours per week
* Monday to Friday, 8:00am–4:30pm
* Daily 30-minute unpaid meal break
* Company pension: 6% employer contribution and minimum 3% employee contribution
* Participation in the on-call rota
* Opportunity to join a leading international manufacturer during a major period of investment and expansion
This is an excellent opportunity to lead a technically important department and make a measurable contribution to the safety, compliance, quality and performance of a major manufacturing operation.
For further information or an informal discussion, please contact Tim Hill at Technical Placements
Reporting to the Manufacturing Development Manager, the Manufacturing Development Team Leader will manage a team of Process Technicians and Process Technologists. The role covers water and effluent treatment, process chemistry, chemical management, product quality, environmental compliance and continuous improvement across a large process manufacturing site.
This is a varied, hands-on leadership position with responsibility for delivering safe, efficient and compliant manufacturing processes.
Key responsibilities:
* Lead, manage and develop the Manufacturing Development team.
* Promote a strong departmental safety culture and drive HSE improvements.
* Monitor and optimise chemical usage, process efficiency and manufacturing costs.
* Oversee fresh-water and effluent treatment processes, including dissolved air flotation and anaerobic and aerobic treatment.
* Maintain environmental permit compliance and coordinate water-reduction and Legionella-control programmes.
* Lead product development, feasibility studies and process improvement projects.
* Use process modelling, quality data and production data to improve performance, material usage and plant reliability.
* Oversee quality standards, testing equipment and customer complaint investigations.
* Support ISO management systems, COSHH, food-contact, hygiene and environmental compliance.
* Lead and support risk assessments and FMEA studies to reduce operational risk and plant downtime.
* Work closely with Operations, Engineering and Projects teams to deliver improvement and capital projects.
* Deputise for the Manufacturing Development Manager when required.
* Participate in the site duty-management and on-call rota.
Manufacturing Development Team Leader requirements:
* Degree or Master’s degree in Chemical Engineering.
* Technical or process experience within manufacturing, chemicals, paper, packaging, water treatment or another process industry.
* Previous people-management or team-leadership experience.
* Practical knowledge of chemicals and COSHH requirements.
* Strong analytical and hands-on problem-solving skills.
* Ability to interpret process, production and quality data.
* Experience of environmental, quality and health and safety compliance within an industrial setting.
* Strong communication skills and the ability to work effectively with technical, operational and engineering teams.
* Six Sigma Green Belt qualification would be advantageous.
* Paper or packaging manufacturing experience would also be advantageous.
The Package:
* Permanent position
* 40 hours per week
* Monday to Friday, 8:00am–4:30pm
* Daily 30-minute unpaid meal break
* Company pension: 6% employer contribution and minimum 3% employee contribution
* Participation in the on-call rota
* Opportunity to join a leading international manufacturer during a major period of investment and expansion
This is an excellent opportunity to lead a technically important department and make a measurable contribution to the safety, compliance, quality and performance of a major manufacturing operation.
For further information or an informal discussion, please contact Tim Hill at Technical Placements