Kronospan is seeking an experienced and driven Assistant Production Manager to join our Melamine Facing Department at our Chirk manufacturing site. This is an exciting opportunity for a production professional with a strong background in LEAN manufacturing, continuous improvement, and team leadership to play a key role within a highly automated production environment.
Reporting directly to the Production Manager, you will support the day-to-day management and continuous improvement of the department, working closely with Shift Supervisors and a team of over 30 employees. You will help drive operational excellence, maximise efficiency, and maintain the highest standards of safety, quality, and performance.
Job Description- Support the Production Manager in the safe and efficient operation of the Melamine Facing Department.
- Lead and promote a culture of continuous improvement through LEAN manufacturing principles, Kaizen activities, and 5S methodologies.
- Work closely with Shift Supervisors to ensure production targets, quality standards, and operational KPIs are consistently achieved.
- Monitor production performance, identify improvement opportunities, and implement sustainable solutions.
- Support workforce planning, resource allocation, and operational decision-making across the department.
- Drive process optimisation initiatives within a highly automated manufacturing environment.
- Ensure compliance with all health, safety, environmental, and quality requirements.
- Coach, mentor, and develop supervisors and team members to build capability and engagement.
- Collaborate with engineering, maintenance, quality, and other support functions to minimise downtime and improve productivity.
- Assist in the management of departmental budgets, performance reporting, and continuous improvement projects.
- Previous experience in a manufacturing leadership role, ideally within a high-volume automated production environment.
- Strong knowledge and practical application of 5S, Kaizen, LEAN Manufacturing, and Continuous Improvement methodologies.
- Experience supporting and developing supervisory teams.
- Excellent organisational, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
- A proactive and hands-on approach to leadership and operational management.
- Strong communication and stakeholder management skills.
- The ability to analyse production data and drive performance improvements.
- A commitment to maintaining high standards of safety, quality, and operational excellence.
- The opportunity to join a global market leader in wood-based panel products.
- A challenging and rewarding leadership role within a technologically advanced manufacturing facility.
- Career development and progression opportunities.
- Competitive salary and benefits package.
- A dynamic environment focused on innovation, operational excellence, and continuous improvement.
If you are passionate about manufacturing excellence and have the leadership skills to help drive performance in a fast-paced production environment, we would like to hear from you.
For further information, please contact [email protected]
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Skills Required
- Previous experience in a manufacturing leadership role in a high-volume automated environment
- Practical application of 5S, Kaizen and Lean Manufacturing methodologies
- Experience supporting and developing supervisory teams
- Strong organisational, analytical and problem-solving skills
- Proactive, hands-on leadership and operational management approach
- Strong communication and stakeholder management skills
- Ability to analyse production data and drive performance improvements
- Commitment to maintaining high standards of safety, quality and operational excellence
- Experience driving continuous improvement and process optimisation in automated manufacturing
What We Do
Kronospan is a global manufacturer and distributor of wood‑based panels and value‑added products — including particleboard, MDF, OSB, laminate flooring, melamine‑faced boards and resins — supplying furniture, interior design and construction markets worldwide. Founded in 1897, the group operates many production sites across multiple countries and emphasizes sustainable use of wood residues and resource‑efficient manufacturing.
