Area Technical Manager

Heidelberg Materials UK (formerly Hanson UK) is one of the UK’s largest suppliers of construction materials, employing over 4,000 people and operating around 300 manufacturing sites in the UK.

We are committed to building a more sustainable future and recognise that a diverse workforce is key to our growth and development. We aim to foster a culture that values openness, transparency and individual achievement.

At the centre of our actions lies the responsibility for the environment. As the front runner on the path to carbon neutrality and circular economy in the building materials industry, we are working on sustainable building materials and solutions for the future. We enable new opportunities for our customers through digitalisation.

Purpose of the role

The role encompasses several critical functions, including profit improvement through the optimization of constituent materials, mix selection, and the implementation of effective statistical process control. This involves ensuring cost-effective product manufacturing while maintaining a delicate balance between supplier and customer risk considerations. We are committed to establishing and upholding product quality levels that align with both commercial and operational priorities, as well as meeting the specific requirements of our customers. Moreover, we are dedicated to fostering innovation in the realm of materials design and application. Our responsibility extends to providing high-quality, multi-product technical support to various sectors, including Commercial, Operations, Concrete, Contracting, Packed Products, and external customers. In line with regulatory requirements, we maintain the company's quality control and assurance systems. This role also involves managing the safe and efficient operation of laboratory and sampling facilities. Our commitment to quality performance is further exemplified by our participation in COTS meetings related to Asphalt & Aggregates, where we offer feedback on key performance indicators (KPIs), including the management of complaints. Additionally, we provide quality support for specialized activities such as Rail Ballast, Kiln stone, FEMAS, M Sand, and nuclear projects.

Key Accountabilities

Description of position

• Operating a cost-effective technical department to support the area operational teams
• Maximising the contribution of technical staff
• Contributing to the overall management of area operations by providing strong support to Commercial, Operations, and HCP
• Providing high levels of technical expertise
• Representing Heidelberg Materials on external forums
• Ensuring that the technical teams operate within agreed H&S, QA and Environmental policies and procedures
• Developing relationships with Local authorities, supervising agencies, Major customers, Specifying authorities
• Participation in improvement projects, identifying new methods, solutions, and products
• Ensure Type Testing is current and provide DOP/CE certification on request of customers
  
  
  

Why

• To maintain product quality at the selected level
• To balance the needs of operations with customer requirements
• To deliver product reliability at the highest level at the most economical cost
• To enhance customer satisfaction
• To satisfy the requirements of regulatory and specification requirements
• To ensure that products can be placed on the market at the lowest practical cost
  
  
  

Principal Challenges

• Continuous review of technical structure and resources to ensure that they are compatible with the company’s strategic plans
• Obtaining feedback directly on the effectiveness and efficiency of the department
• Ensuring competence of technical staff based on education, training, skills, and experience
• Establishing the correct balance to address the needs of internal and external customers and developing a collaborative approach between the various internal departments.
• Involving suppliers in design and development activities to share knowledge and promote improvement
• Provision of high-quality technical advice to customers and specifying authorities
• Interpreting complex product standards and specifications
  
  
  

Education/Qualification

• Graduate calibre, DAP’s, HNC Civil Engineering or equivalent
• Member of the Institute of Asphalt Technology or Institute of Quarrying or Institute of Highways and Transportation
• Quality Assurance – internal quality auditing and management of systems
  
  
  

What’s on Offer:

Salary Competitive

Location Whatley or Tytherington

Hours 40

Work Life Balance: 27 days holiday (excluding bank holidays) Generous Pension Schemes / Life Assurance

Wellbeing: Employee Assistance Programme (EAP

Employee Benefits Portal Including Gym Discount

• Employer of choice: Armed Forces Covenant (Silver) / Disability Confident Committed / 5% Club (Platinum) / Mates in Mind / Clear Assured (Foundation) / The Mineral Products and Qualification Council (MPQC) / STEM Ambassador
• Compensation Package: Bonus incentives / Generous Pension Schemes / Life Assurance
• Work Life Balance: 27 days holiday (excluding bank holidays) / Agile working / Flexible working / Holiday purchase / Sabbatical
• Family Friendly: Enhanced policies such as Maternity / Paternity / Parental Leave / Neonatal / Adoption/IVF/Menopause
• Social Value: paid Volunteering Day every year / Communities (LGBTQ+, Network of Woman, Woman in Science and Engineering (STEM), Armed Forces)
• Wellbeing: Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) / Mental Health First Aiders / Cycle to Work / Employee Benefits portal including Gym discount / Free eye tests / Discounted Private Medical cover