Key Responsibilities

• Lead manufacturing operations to ensure safe, efficient, and cost-effective execution of production activities.
• Drive a culture of continuous improvement through the application of Lean manufacturing principles, structured problem-solving, and operational excellence methodologies.
• Identify, lead and deliver improvement projects focused on productivity, efficiency, waste reduction, process optimisation, labour utilisation, and overall business performance.
• Analyse operational data and KPIs to identify trends, performance gaps and improvement opportunities, implementing corrective and preventative actions where required.
• Translate business and manufacturing objectives into clear operational plans, ensuring resources are aligned to achieve delivery, quality and cost targets.
• Lead cross-functional improvement initiatives with Engineering, Quality, Planning, Purchasing and Supply Chain teams to enhance end-to-end operational performance.
• Champion standardisation, best practice and process discipline across manufacturing activities, ensuring sustainable improvements are embedded within the organisation.
• Act as the primary escalation point for operational challenges, removing barriers and driving timely resolution of issues impacting performance.
• Develop, coach and support manufacturing teams, building engagement, accountability and a high-performance culture.
• Promote excellence in health, safety, quality and compliance, ensuring robust processes and continuous improvement of operational standards.
• Support strategic manufacturing initiatives, capital investment projects and business transformation activities as required.

Experience & Qualifications

• Degree, HND or equivalent qualification in Engineering, Manufacturing or a related discipline, or significant relevant leadership experience.
• Proven leadership experience within a manufacturing, engineering, heavy industrial or metal processing environment.
• Demonstrable track record of delivering continuous improvement, operational excellence or business improvement programmes with measurable results.
• Strong understanding of Lean Manufacturing principles, waste reduction, process optimisation and performance management techniques.
• Experience leading change initiatives and successfully embedding new processes, standards and ways of working.
• Excellent analytical skills with the ability to interpret operational data and use insights to drive decision-making and improvement activity.
• Strong commercial awareness with an understanding of how manufacturing performance impacts wider business objectives.
• Experience operating within structured quality management systems and regulated manufacturing environments.
• Proven ability to engage, influence and collaborate with stakeholders at all levels of the organisation.
• Excellent people leadership, coaching and employee development skills.
• Strong digital capability including Microsoft Teams, SharePoint and manufacturing performance reporting systems.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead manufacturing operations to ensure safe, efficient, and cost-effective execution of production activities.
• Drive a culture of continuous improvement through the application of Lean manufacturing principles, structured problem-solving, and operational excellence methodologies.
• Identify, lead and deliver improvement projects focused on productivity, efficiency, waste reduction, process optimisation, labour utilisation, and overall business performance.
• Analyse operational data and KPIs to identify trends, performance gaps and improvement opportunities, implementing corrective and preventative actions where required.
• Translate business and manufacturing objectives into clear operational plans, ensuring resources are aligned to achieve delivery, quality and cost targets.
• Lead cross-functional improvement initiatives with Engineering, Quality, Planning, Purchasing and Supply Chain teams to enhance end-to-end operational performance.
• Champion standardisation, best practice and process discipline across manufacturing activities, ensuring sustainable improvements are embedded within the organisation.
• Act as the primary escalation point for operational challenges, removing barriers and driving timely resolution of issues impacting performance.
• Develop, coach and support manufacturing teams, building engagement, accountability and a high-performance culture.
• Promote excellence in health, safety, quality and compliance, ensuring robust processes and continuous improvement of operational standards.
• Support strategic manufacturing initiatives, capital investment projects and business transformation activities as required.

Experience & Qualifications

• Degree, HND or equivalent qualification in Engineering, Manufacturing or a related discipline, or significant relevant leadership experience.
• Proven leadership experience within a manufacturing, engineering, heavy industrial or metal processing environment.
• Demonstrable track record of delivering continuous improvement, operational excellence or business improvement programmes with measurable results.
• Strong understanding of Lean Manufacturing principles, waste reduction, process optimisation and performance management techniques.
• Experience leading change initiatives and successfully embedding new processes, standards and ways of working.
• Excellent analytical skills with the ability to interpret operational data and use insights to drive decision-making and improvement activity.
• Strong commercial awareness with an understanding of how manufacturing performance impacts wider business objectives.
• Experience operating within structured quality management systems and regulated manufacturing environments.
• Proven ability to engage, influence and collaborate with stakeholders at all levels of the organisation.
• Excellent people leadership, coaching and employee development skills.
• Strong digital capability including Microsoft Teams, SharePoint and manufacturing performance reporting systems.