Thermoteknix
Manufacturing Manager
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Manufacturing Manager
**Manufacturing Manager – Thermoteknix Systems Ltd
Company Profile
Location: Waterbeach, UK Department: Production Reports to: Operations Director Type: Full-time, Permanent
Thermoteknix Systems Ltd, founded in 1982 and based in Cambridge, is a world leader in thermal imaging, night vision, and augmented reality systems. Our award-winning technologies are trusted by defence, security, and industrial customers in over 70 countries. With in-house R&D, cutting-edge innovation, and a global reputation for quality, we design and manufacture solutions that perform in the most demanding environments.
About the Role
Thermoteknix is seeking an experienced and commercially minded Manufacturing Manager to lead and develop all manufacturing and production operations across the business. The role ensures safe, efficient, high-quality, and scalable production of advanced thermal imaging and sensing systems, supporting both existing operations and future growth.
The successful candidate will oversee:
- Production planning, manufacturing, assembly, testing
- Supply chain coordination
- Quality performance and continuous improvement initiatives
Key positioning: A key leadership role in delivering operational excellence within a high-technology, regulated manufacturing environment.
Key Responsibilities
Production Leadership
- Lead daily production activities to achieve delivery, quality, and efficiency targets.
- Ensure manufacturing schedules align with customer demand.
- Facilitate cross-functional team coordination to streamline production.
- Enhance accountability and performance across all production areas.
- Manage new product introduction transition into manufacturing.
Manufacturing & Operations
- Oversee production to ensure safe, efficient, and cost-effective operations.
- Manage purchasing and supplier coordination for continuous supply chain.
- Optimise ERP/MRP system usage to support operational efficiency.
- Identify and mitigate operational risks affecting delivery or quality.
- Monitor operational KPIs and implement corrective action plans.
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Quality & Compliance
- Ensure compliance with quality, regulatory, and health & safety standards.
- Maintain adherence to ISO and customer quality requirements.
- Support audit readiness and continuous compliance across operations.
- Promote a culture of quality and process discipline.
Continuous Improvement
- Drive process improvements to enhance efficiency and reduce waste.
- Lead lean manufacturing and operational excellence initiatives.
- Improve production flow, capacity utilisation, and on-time delivery.
- Analyse operational data to support evidence-based decision-making.
- Lead scalability initiatives aligned with business growth.
- Support automation and digital manufacturing where applicable.
People Management
- Lead, mentor, and develop manufacturing and operational teams.
- Foster a positive, accountable, and high-performance working environment.
- Support employee development through coaching and performance management.
- Maintain effective cross-departmental communication.
- Strengthen employee engagement and adherence to company values.
Commercial & Strategic Contribution
- Contribute to operational strategy and long-term business objectives.
- Support cost control and margin improvement initiatives.
- Collaborate with leadership on growth and investment planning.
- Align manufacturing capability with customer and commercial requirements.
- Provide operational insights for strategic decision-making.
- Liaise with commercial teams to align production capacity with demand forecasts.
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Required Experience & Qualifications
- Proven manufacturing leadership experience, particularly in highly configurable products.
- Strong understanding of production planning, purchasing, and supply chain operations.
- Experience in managing operational performance and continuous improvement.
- Knowledge of quality systems, compliance, and manufacturing best practices.
- Extensive experience with ERP/MRP systems and manufacturing KPIs.
- Proven ability to lead multidisciplinary production teams.
- Strong problem-solving and decision-making capabilities.
- Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.
- Experience working within ISO-regulation.
- Engineering or technical degree qualification.
Desirable Experience (Bonus Points)
- Experience in defence, aerospace, electronics, or high-technology manufacturing.
- Knowledge of lean manufacturing or Six Sigma methodologies.
- Experience managing low-volume, high-complexity production.
- Hands-on experience in ERP/MRP system evaluation, selection, and implementation.
- Exposure to New Product Introduction (NPI) processes.
- Familiarity with regulated or export-controlled manufacturing.
- Engineering or technical manufacturing background preferred.
Why Work with Us?
Opportunity to lead
A chance to shape manufacturing capability, systems, and strategy in a cutting-edge technology business.
Cutting-edge technologies
Work with advanced thermal imaging, sensing, and defence systems.
Competitive compensation
- Competitive salary for a senior manager
- Performance-related bonus
- Pension contribution
- Comprehensive benefits package
Career growth
- Professional development opportunities
- Long-term career progression in a dynamic, evolving sector.
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