Job Description:

Folder Gluer Department Manager
Stockport, Greater Manchester
£60,000 - £80,000 (very much negotiable for the right person)

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a highly experienced and hands-on Folder Gluer specialist to join a rapidly expanding manufacturing business operating within the packaging and paper converting sector.

The company has recently secured a major long-term e-commerce contract which is driving significant investment, growth, and expansion across the operation. As a result, they are now seeking a strong operational leader with extensive folder gluer knowledge to take full ownership of a critical production department.

This is a genuine opportunity to step into a senior leadership role within a business that is growing rapidly, investing heavily, and building for the future.

The department itself is scaling quickly, with headcount increasing to circa 35 employees across rotating shifts, supported by an already established team structure. The foundations are in place — the business now needs the right individual to drive performance, optimise operations, develop people, and lead the department to the next level.

This role absolutely requires somebody who understands the ins and outs of folder gluers.

We are not looking for a desk-based manager or somebody who has only managed teams from a distance. The successful individual will be heavily involved on the factory floor, leading from the front, supporting shift teams, optimising machinery, troubleshooting issues, improving output, and driving standards across a fast-paced manufacturing environment.

The operation is high volume, high speed, and quality critical, requiring somebody with genuine technical understanding of folder gluer operations who can quickly identify opportunities to improve efficiencies, reliability, uptime, and production performance.

Key Responsibilities

• Full responsibility for a busy high-speed folder gluer department
• Driving output, efficiencies, uptime and OEE improvements
• Hands-on optimisation, setup improvement and troubleshooting of folder gluers
• Reducing downtime, waste and recurring production issues
• Training and developing operators and shift teams
• Implementing operational best practices and standardised processes
• Managing labour, staffing, performance and departmental structure
• Leading and supporting a growing department of circa 35 staff
• Working closely with senior leadership regarding production strategy
• Maintaining high standards of Health & Safety, quality and housekeeping
• Supporting multiple shifts where required to ensure operational continuity
• Creating a culture of accountability, ownership and continuous improvement

The Ideal Candidate Will Have

• Extensive hands-on experience running and optimising high-speed folder gluers
• Strong background within packaging, cartons, envelopes, paper converting or print manufacturing
• Proven experience improving machine performance and production efficiencies
• Strong mechanical aptitude and practical fault-finding ability
• A highly hands-on management style with strong floor presence
• Experience leading teams within fast-moving manufacturing environments
• The ability to work autonomously and make operational decisions confidently
• A flexible attitude and willingness to support shifts where required

What’s On Offer

• Highly competitive salary negotiable for the right individual
• Genuine autonomy within a senior operational leadership role
• Opportunity to take ownership of a rapidly growing department
• Long-term stability within a secure and expanding manufacturing business
• Significant investment, strong order books, and exciting future growth plans
• The chance to play a major part in shaping a newly expanding operation during a key growth phase

This is an outstanding opportunity for a true folder gluer expert to step into a high-impact leadership role and become a key part of a business entering a major period of expansion.

For a confidential discussion, please apply with your CV.