Oxford Instruments GmbH
Head of Production
How your CV stacks up
Upload your CV to see how well it fits this job role
?%
Head of Production
Date: 26 Jun 2026
Location: Bristol, GB, BS35 4GG
Job Function: Operations
Business Unit: Plasma Technology
At Oxford Instruments Plasma Technology, we are driving the next phase of growth in the rapidly expanding high-volume manufacturing (HVM) market for compound semiconductors. Building on our strong foundation in the research sector, we are scaling our operations to meet increasing global demand — and this is where you come in.
We are seeking a Head of Production to play a critical leadership role in our Operational Excellence journey, transforming our Production, Supply Chain, Stores and Dispatch functions to support sustainable growth, improved customer outcomes and world-class manufacturing performance.
The Opportunity
This is a senior leadership role accountable for delivering safe, reliable, high-quality and cost-effective manufacturing performance in a complex, high-technology environment.
You will lead end-to-end production operations, driving performance across Safety, Quality, Cost, Delivery and People (SQCDP) metrics, while building leadership capability, improving production flow and embedding a culture of continuous improvement.
As part of the Operations leadership team, you will also play a key role in strategy deployment, cross-functional alignment and scaling manufacturing capability to support future growth.
Key Responsibilities
Operational Leadership & Delivery
- Lead Production, Stores and Dispatch with clear priorities, strong communication and visible leadership
- Own production planning and execution to meet monthly and annual delivery commitments
- Ensure a safe working environment with full compliance to HSE standards
People & Capability Development
- Build, coach and develop high-performing teams, including line managers and technical specialists
- Identify capability gaps and drive succession planning, hiring and skills development
- Foster a culture of accountability, engagement and continuous improvement
Reasons to use Rodeo
Start with a chat, not a search bar
Grad scheme, placement, apprenticeship? Not sure what you want yet — that's fine. Your agent talks it through with you and turns "I have no idea" into a shortlist.
It searches the market for you
Every day your agent scans the market matching roles against what actually matters to you, not just keywords on a CV.
Only hits
No noise. No "maybe this fits." Just roles with a clear explanation of why they're right — and where to focus when applying.
Operational Excellence & Continuous Improvement
- Drive lean manufacturing and CI initiatives to improve flow, efficiency and scalability
- Reduce waste across materials, processes and systems, supporting high-volume manufacturing readiness
- Use SQCDP metrics and data insights to prioritise and deliver improvement initiatives
Cost, Quality & Performance
- Deliver margin improvement through control of labour, rework, scrap, overtime and WIP
- Improve product quality through robust root cause analysis and corrective actions
- Standardise processes and systems to drive consistency and efficiency
Cross-Functional Collaboration
- Partner with Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Quality, Supply Chain and Commercial teams
- Support New Product Introduction (NPI), ensuring manufacturability and production readiness
- Lead pre-production builds and ensure smooth transition into full-scale manufacture
About You
You are an experienced and credible manufacturing leader with a track record of delivering results in complex, high-technology environments.
- Proven experience leading production or operations teams at scale
- Strong background in lean manufacturing, problem solving and continuous improvement
- Skilled in developing leaders and building high-performing, multi-disciplinary teams
- Commercially aware, able to balance cost, quality, delivery and long-term performance
- Data-driven, with experience using ERP and production systems to inform decisions
- Confident decision-maker, comfortable operating in a dynamic, fast-paced environment
- Collaborative and influential, with the ability to drive alignment across functions
Get help with your application
Your very own career expert that helps elevate your application to the next level.
Experience in semiconductor, precision engineering, vacuum, plasma or capital equipment manufacturing would be highly advantageous.
Qualifications
- Degree in Engineering, Manufacturing or a related discipline (or equivalent experience)
- Lean Six Sigma Green Belt (or equivalent practical experience)
Why Join Us?
At Oxford Instruments, you’ll be part of a business at the forefront of scientific and technological innovation. Our tools enable breakthroughs at micro- and nano-scale across a wide range of industries.
We Offer
- Competitive salary
- 25 days holiday + half-day Fridays
- Private healthcare
- Share incentive plan
- Pension and flexible benefits
- Structured career development
- A collaborative, supportive environment with strong work-life balance
If you’re ready to lead transformation, scale operations and shape the future of advanced manufacturing, we’d love to hear from you. Apply now.
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, colour, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, or disability. We encourage applications from people of all backgrounds and would ask you to get in touch if you are concerned about any barriers you feel you may be facing in your application process with us.
Note to recruitment agencies: Oxford Instruments operates a Preferred Supplier List, and we do not accept unsolicited agency CVs. Please do not forward candidate details in response to this advert, or to any Oxford Instruments employees or other company locations. Oxford Instruments is not responsible for any fees related to unsolicited CVs.
Apply now »
“It took my CV and asked me questions relevant to understanding what kind of jobs to suggest for me. Suggestions were almost perfect. Jobs were exactly what I’ve been looking for.”
Jessica, London
Skills