Plant Manager / Directeur de site industriel

About the team

As plant manager at our Péronne manufacturing site, you’ll take overall responsibility for plant operations, driving safe, reliable, and efficient manufacturing performance in line with Castrol’s Global Supply Chain (GSC) Europe objectives. You’ll provide strategic direction and leadership across manufacturing and on-site warehousing, with a strong focus on Health, Safety, Security, and Environment (HSSE), Quality, Customer Service, Cost and Cash Performance, and People Development. Leading the Operations team through supervisors and frontline leaders, you’ll build a culture of accountability, employee engagement, and continuous improvement while ensuring compliance with all applicable legal, regulatory, and internal requirements.

Key tasks

• Define and implement the plant’s vision, strategy, and operational objectives in alignment with GSC Europe priorities, driving performance across HSSE, quality, customer service, cost, cash, and people development.
• Lead all manufacturing and on-site warehousing operations, including production scheduling, raw material inventory, asset integrity, and operational performance, ensuring safe, reliable, and efficient plant operations.
• Champion HSSE leadership and continuous improvement, ensuring effective risk prevention, safe working practices, and compliance with applicable safety standards and management systems.
• Hold site-level legal and operational accountability on behalf of the company, ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements, internal policies, and the Operating Management System (OMS).
• Drive a strong quality culture throughout the plant, ensuring product quality, operational discipline, and continuous improvement aligned with Castrol’s premium brand standards.
• Lead operational excellence and performance improvement initiatives using loss analysis, root cause elimination, and continuous improvement methodologies to improve efficiency, reliability, and cost performance.
• Lead, develop, and engage diverse plant teams through effective people management, talent development, performance management, and an inclusive leadership approach.
• Own and manage operational risks within the plant’s risk register, act as the designated Single Point of Accountability (SPA) for Control of Work requirements, and support emergency response as part of the Incident Management Team (IMT).
• Manage plant resources and operational decisions, including CAPEX and manufacturing expenditure within delegated authority, and recruitment in accordance with approved processes and business requirements.

Experience required

• At least 5 years of experience in a manufacturing environment, preferably in an operations management or plant leadership role.
• A degree in chemical engineering, mechanical engineering, or a related discipline is preferred; candidates with other educational backgrounds and relevant experience will also be considered.
• Proven leadership and people management experience within a manufacturing environment, including developing, engaging, and managing diverse operational teams.
• Strong knowledge of Health, Safety, Security, and Environment (HSSE) and Quality Management Systems, with a demonstrated commitment to operational safety, regulatory compliance, and risk management.
• Demonstrated experience in driving operational excellence and continuous improvement using methodologies such as Lean Manufacturing, Total Productive Maintenance (TPM), World Class Operations Management (WCOM), or Six Sigma.
• Strong operational management and organizational and decision-making skills, with the ability to balance safety, quality, service, cost and people priorities.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to engage, influence, and collaborate effectively across all organizational levels.
• Both English and French at level C1 (fluent)