Production Manager

Overview:

We are currently recruiting for an experienced Production Manager with extensive hands on expertise in quality and end to end audits.

The Production Manager holds full accountability for all production on site, leading the production team to deliver safe, right-first-time output that meets cost, quality and delivery targets.

Reporting to the Head of Manufacturing, the postholder owns the day-to-day running of the production operation and the product quality that leaves the line.
This is a quality and lean-led production role. We are looking for a manager who treats quality as designed-in rather than inspected-in, and who uses lean principles to drive out waste, stabilise processes and continuously improve throughput.

Key Responsibilities:

Production Leadership & Delivery:

• Hold end-to-end accountability for all production activity on site, leading the team to meet the daily and weekly production plan.
• Deliver against agreed production KPIs across SQDCP, Safety, Quality, Delivery, Cost and People.
• Own production planning execution and resource allocation in coordination with the Group Supply Chain and Planning team.
• Manage labour, materials and equipment to balance capacity against demand, escalating constraints early.
• Maintain accurate production data and reporting through SAP and Group reporting tools.

Quality (Product & Process):

• Own product quality on the line, ensuring output conforms to specification and is right-first-time, working to IATF 16949 and ISO 9001:2015 requirements.
• Embed robust process controls, in-process checks, FMEA and control-plan discipline across production.
• Lead containment, root-cause analysis and corrective action (8D) for production-related quality issues, and own close-out of production CAPAs.
• Support customer and certification audits (including PACCAR/DAF and BSI) for all production-related scope, working with the Group QHSE team.

Continuous Improvement & Lean:

• Drive a culture of continuous improvement on the shop floor using lean tools, 5S, standard work, SMED, visual management and daily tiered accountability.
• Lead structured problem-solving and Kaizen activity to improve throughput, reduce waste and lower cost-to-produce.
• Establish and sustain production operating routines and standards from the outset as the operation matures.

Safe Operation on the Line:

• Operate production within the site-wide QHSE framework owned by the Site Manager, ensuring safe systems of work, machinery safety and near-miss reporting are upheld on the line.
• Ensure risk assessments and safe systems of work for production tasks are in place, current and followed.
• Work hand-in-glove with the Site Manager and Group QHSE team on incidents, audits and improvement actions affecting production.

People & Team Management:

• Lead, coach and develop the production team, setting clear performance expectations and conducting regular 1:1s.
• Manage performance, attendance, development and skills/competency matrices in line with Group HR processes.
• Create a positive, inclusive and high-performance shop-floor culture; support recruitment, induction and retention with central HR.

Skills & Experience Required:

Essential:

• Proven experience as a Production Manager, Manufacturing Manager, Cell/Value-Stream Leader or equivalent in a manufacturing environment.
• Demonstrable experience leading and developing shop-floor teams.
• Strong, practical command of quality management in production, ideally ISO 9001 with exposure to IATF 16949 or another sector-specific quality standard (e.g. AS9100, ISO 13485).
• Hands-on lean / continuous-improvement capability, 5S, standard work, SMED, problem-solving (8D, A3, root-cause analysis).
• Track record of delivering production KPIs (SQDCP) in a regulated manufacturing setting.
• Comfortable working with ERP/MRP systems (SAP experience advantageous) and standard Microsoft 365 tools.
• Confident communicator able to engage credibly with shop-floor teams, senior leadership and external customers/auditors.
• Full UK driving licence.

Desirable:

• Lean / Six Sigma qualification (Green Belt or above).
• Experience supplying automotive OEMs or Tier 1 customers (e.g. PACCAR/DAF, JLR, Ford, Stellantis).
• Experience standing up or stabilising production in a new or growing operation.
• NEBOSH General Certificate or equivalent H&S qualification.
• Relevant qualification in Engineering, Manufacturing or Operations Management.

Personal Attributes:

• Hands-on, visible leader who leads from the front and is comfortable on the shop floor.
• Relentless on quality and standards — sees quality as built-in, not inspected-in.
• Calm, decisive and resilient under production pressure.
• Collaborative team player who works openly with the Site Manager and Group functions.
• High personal standards of integrity, accountability and professionalism.

What''s on Offer:

• Salary up to £47,000, depending on experience.
• Opportunity to join a growing and successful organisation.
• 30 days of annual leave (including bank holidays)
• Annual leave increase after a years'' service
• Company pension
• Supportive and collaborative working environment.
• Career development and progression opportunities.

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