Production Manager

Overview

We are seeking a highly structured and quality-driven Production Manager to take full ownership of production planning, schedule adherence, and delivery performance within a fast-paced manufacturing environment.

This is a pivotal role responsible for translating business demand into a robust, achievable production plan, ensuring that all manufacturing activity is aligned to clear priorities, controlled processes, and defined quality standards.

The successful candidate will lead from the front—driving accountability across the production function, embedding planning discipline, and ensuring that every unit produced meets both customer expectations and regulatory requirements first time, every time.

Key Job Duties and Responsibilities:

• Own and manage the production plan, ensuring alignment with sales demand, capacity, and material availability.
• Lead the monthly and weekly production scheduling process, working cross-functionally to resolve constraints and risks ahead of execution.
• Maintain clear visibility of capacity vs demand, proactively adjusting plans to protect delivery commitments, with a view for up to 3 months in advance.
• Drive schedule adherence, ensuring production output meets agreed timelines with minimal disruption or reactive firefighting. 
• Implement and maintain planning tools, trackers, and governance to support consistent execution.
• Ensure governance tools and trackers are used to support Foreman-led production oversight.
• Carry out Daily / Weekly MRP runs for Machine builds, Subs, and Spares requirements
• To attend and drive the planning meetings, ensuring clear communication on progress and expectations.

Operational Delivery

• Take full accountability for on-time, in-full (OTIF) delivery performance.

• Ensure production activities are executed efficiently, with clear priorities and minimal waste.
• Create job cards for all cells, ensuring targets set and flow from sub builds to final build, and test/packing smoothed.
• Escalate and resolve blockers quickly, coordinating with Engineering, Purchasing, and Operations as required.
• Establish a structured daily and weekly cadence (production reviews, KPI tracking, issue resolution).
• Any impact on delays / OTIF should be recorded and a route cause analysis carried out to ensure future fixes.

Quality Leadership

• Champion a “right first time” culture across all production activities.
• Ensure strict adherence to quality standards, regulatory requirements, and ISO frameworks.
• Oversee and continuously improve build processes, documentation, and work instructions.
• Work closely with QA to implement and sustain robust quality control processes.
• Drive root cause analysis and corrective actions for any quality or process failures.

Continuous Improvement

• Lead the implementation of Lean Manufacturing principles and continuous improvement initiatives.

• Identify inefficiencies in planning, scheduling, and production execution, and deliver measurable improvements.

• Use data and KPIs to inform decision-making and prioritise improvement activity.

Leadership & Team Development

• Provide clear leadership and direction to the production team, setting expectations aligned to delivery and quality objectives.

• Drive a high-performance culture with accountability at all levels.
• Conduct regular performance reviews, identify capability gaps, and implement structured development plans.
• Ensure cross-training and flexibility through a robust skills matrix.
• Team 1-2-1reviews and performance management.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Act as the central point of coordination between Production, Engineering, QA, Purchasing, Sales, and Service.

• Ensure alignment between production capability and business priorities.

• Contribute to wider operational strategy and execution.

Health, Safety & Compliance

• Ensure full compliance with Health & Safety standards and promote a safe working environment.

• Embed best practice and ensure all activities are carried out in line with company policies and procedures.

Essential Criteria:

• Proven experience in a production leadership role within a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
  

• Strong capability in production planning, scheduling, and capacity management.
• Demonstrable track record of delivering against production plans and tight deadlines.
• High attention to detail with a relentless focus on quality standards.
• Ability to make clear, data-driven operational decisions under pressure.
• Strong leadership presence with experience managing and developing teams.
• Working knowledge of Lean Manufacturing / Continuous Improvement methodologies.
• Clear understanding of how production integrates within the wider business and supply chain.
  
  

Desired Criteria: 

• Experience within an electro-mechanical manufacturing environment.
• Familiarity with ERP/ MRP systems and production planning tools.
• Six Sigma or Lean qualifications.
• Engineering or manufacturing-related qualification (or equivalent experience). 
  
  

Salary & Benefits:

• Salary: competitive (depending on experience)
• 25 days Holiday (increasing to 26 after 2 years, 27 after 4 years and 28 after 5 years)
• Health Cash Back Plan
• Private Medical Cover
• Employee Assistance Program
• Employee Volunteering Day
• Birthday vouchers
• Long service vouchers