Cell Leader - Plastics Extrusion in Wrexham

Job Title: Cell Leader - Plastics Extrusion - Silvergate Plastics

Department: Production

Reports To: Production Manager / Managing Director

Role Overview

The Team Leader in the plastics extrusion department is responsible for leading and coordinating shift-based production activities to achieve output, quality, and efficiency targets. This role requires a hands-on leader who can drive performance, ensure clear communication, and maintain high standards across safety, quality, and productivity in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.

Key Responsibilities

Production & Performance

• Drive daily, weekly, and monthly production targets, ensuring maximum efficiency and output.
• Organise and coordinate priorities across all lines and weigh stations to ensure mixes are ready and the production schedule is met.
• Continuous communication with the QC department to highlight issues and taking steps to rectify immediately. Ensuring reworks are highlighted quickly and priority is changed accordingly.
• Monitor and report performance metrics to management and relevant staff members via emails, providing clear updates on progress against targets.
• Promote a results-driven culture, ensuring team members understand and work towards key objectives.

SQCDPE Communication

• Lead daily shift meetings to communicate SQCDPE (Safety, Quality, Cost, Delivery, People, Engineering) metrics.
• Ensure all team members are informed of current performance, priorities, and any operational challenges.
• Encourage team engagement and accountability through structured communication.

Team Leadership & Development

• Train, coach, and develop extrusion operators to improve skill levels and operational performance.
• Support a multi-skilled workforce, ensuring flexibility across the team to meet production demands.
• Manage shift manning levels effectively to optimise productivity and maintain coverage across
• Setting clear expectations for your team, identifying gaps in knowledge and providing relevant training.

Quality & Continuous Improvement

• Work closely with the Quality Department to ensure products meet required specifications and standards.
• Support investigations into quality issues and implement corrective actions.
• Drive a culture of continuous improvement within the team.
• Identify barriers preventing the team from achieving output and quality targets and communicating this upwards.

Process Ownership & Technical Capability

• Actively learn, take ownership of, and become the subject matter expert in clean-down and start-up processes for critical grade materials across all extrusion lines.
• Train and develop team members in these processes to ensure consistency and adherence to required standards.
• Take responsibility for maintaining and controlling process parameters to ensure product quality and minimise waste.

Maintenance & Downtime Reporting

• Monitor machine performance and report downtime, faults, and maintenance issues promptly. Suggest performance improvement ideas to maximise output.
• Liaise with maintenance teams to ensure timely resolution and minimal disruption to production.

Health, Safety & Environment

• Act as a Health & Safety champion, promoting safe working practices at all times.
• Ensure compliance with all HSE policies and procedures.
• Proactively identify and address potential risks.
• Good housekeeping is your primary safety control. 25% of all workplace accidents are caused by slips, trips and falls. Own housekeeping activities and delegate roles to your team.

Housekeeping & Standards

• Maintain high housekeeping standards across the production area (5S principles).
• Ensure workspaces are organised, clean, and safe.

Shift Coordination & Communication

• Improve and maintain effective shift handovers, ensuring accurate and detailed information transfer between Team Leaders and senior staff.
• Ensure continuity of operations across shifts through clear communication of priorities, issues, and actions.

Operational Support

• Undertake and organise cross-blending and re-bagging activities when required, ensuring materials are handled efficiently and in line with quality standards.

Target Awareness & Engagement

• Drive awareness and unders