Hays
Manufacturing Director
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Your new company
Our client is a growing UK manufacturing business operating in the Electronics sector. With over 100 employees and ambitious growth plans, they are investing in operational capability and are seeking a Director of Manufacturing & Operational Excellence to play a key role in the next stage of their journey. This is an excellent opportunity for a senior manufacturing leader who wants to make a lasting impact within a growing business and help shape its future operational strategy.
Your new role
Reporting to the Managing Director, you will lead the Production, Planning, and Test functions through five direct reports, and a team of approximately 65 staff. This role combines strategic leadership and operational delivery, focused on transforming manufacturing performance, improving scalability and embedding a culture of continuous improvement across the business. Key responsibilities will include:
- Driving manufacturing efficiency, productivity and cost reduction initiatives.
- Delivering and improving OTIF performance and customer delivery reliability.
- Developing planning, scheduling and capacity management processes.
- Introducing automation and improved manufacturing methods where appropriate.
- Developing subcontract manufacturing partnerships to support growth.
- Strengthening cross-functional collaboration between Manufacturing, Engineering, Purchasing and Sales.
- Improving production documentation, quality systems and standard operating procedures.
- Creating a data-driven culture through KPI management and operational reporting.
- Leading organisational change and developing high-performing teams.
What you'll need to succeed
To be successful in this role, you will be an experienced manufacturing leader with a proven track record of improving operational performance within an engineering, technical or advanced manufacturing environment. You should be able to demonstrate:
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- Leadership of manufacturing operations during periods of business growth.
- Strong Lean Manufacturing, Continuous Improvement and 5S expertise.
- Experience within high-mix, low-volume manufacturing environments.
- Production planning, scheduling and manufacturing control capability.
- Delivery of automation, efficiency and productivity improvement projects.
- Experience developing and managing subcontract manufacturing partners.
- A track record of leading change, engaging teams and developing people.
- Excellent stakeholder management and the ability to influence at executive level.
What you'll get in return
Competitive remuneration £100-110k basic, plus car and other benefits including bonus potential (please ask for full info as the package is currently being finalised).
What you need to do now
Please note, all candidates must already have Right to Work in the UK, and be able to work from the site near Maidstone 5 days per week (4 days a week could be considered for an exceptional candidate, but preference is for this to be an onsite role).
If you're interested in this role, click 'apply now' to forward an up-to-date copy of your CV, or call us now.
If this job isn't quite right for you, but you are looking for a new position, please contact us for a confidential discussion about your career.
Desired Skills and Experience
- Manufacturing Leadership
- Manufacturing Operations
- Operations Management
- Operational Excellence
- Business Transformation
- Strategic Planning
- Change Management
- Leadership
- Team Leadership
- Executive Management
- Lean Manufacturing
- Continuous Improvement
- Lean Six Sigma
- Six Sigma
- Kaizen
- Value Stream Mapping (VSM)
- Operational Excellence
- Root Cause Analysis
- Problem Solving
- Process Improvement
- Production Management
- Production Planning
- Manufacturing Engineering
- Industrial Engineering
- Assembly Operations
- High-Mix Low-Volume Manufacturing
- Electronics Manufacturing
- Electro-Mechanical Manufacturing
- Contract Manufacturing
- New Product Introduction (NPI)
- Supply Chain Management
- Sales & Operations Planning (S&OP)
- Inventory Management
- Procurement
- Materials Management
- Demand Planning
- Logistics Management
- Quality Management
- ISO 9001
- Quality Assurance
- Continuous Improvement
- Corrective and Preventive Actions (CAPA)
- Regulatory Compliance
- Health, Safety and Environment (HSE)
- Electronics
- Electrical Engineering
- Power Electronics
- Battery Technology
- Renewable Energy
- Solar Energy
- Product Development
- Engineering Management
- Budget Management
- Cost Reduction
- P&L Management
- Financial Planning
- Performance Management
- KPI Management
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