Oxford Instruments Plc
Head of Production
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Head of Production at Oxford Instruments 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 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 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.
- Build leadership capability, improve production flow, and embed a culture of continuous improvement.
- 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, fully compliant with 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.
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Operational Excellence & Continuous Improvement
- Drive lean manufacturing and CI initiatives to improve flow, efficiency, and scalability.
- Reduce waste across materials, processes, and systems to support 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 via 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 a smooth transition into full-scale manufacture.
About You
You are an experienced and credible manufacturing leader with a track record of delivering results in 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 multi-disciplinary, high-performing teams.
- Commercially aware, balancing cost, quality, delivery, and long-term performance.
- Data-driven, with experience using ERP and production systems to inform decisions.
- Confident decision-maker, comfortable in a dynamic, fast-paced environment.
- Collaborative and influential, driving alignment across functions.
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Experience in semiconductor, precision engineering, vacuum, plasma, or capital equipment manufacturing is 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 the micro- and nano-scale across 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. #LI-AC1
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 contact us if you have concerns about application barriers.
Note to recruiters: Oxford Instruments operates a Preferred Supplier List and does not accept unsolicited agency CVs. Avoid forwarding candidate details. Oxford Instruments is not responsible for fees from unsolicited submissions.
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