Operational delivery

• Lead the execution of the Master Production Schedule, ensuring customer requirements are delivered safely, on time, in full, and within budget.
• Own manufacturing performance across all production areas, with accountability for productivity, labour utilisation, operational efficiency, and factory performance.
• Monitor and review operational KPIs through daily tier meetings and structured performance reviews.
• Identify operational constraints and implement robust recovery plans to minimise disruption.
• Ensure manufacturing resources, equipment, and tooling are used effectively to maximise output and efficiency.
• Drive reductions in manufacturing lead time, work in progress, overtime, scrap, and rework.

Planning, capacity, and manufacturing readiness

• Develop manufacturing plans aligned to customer demand and business requirements.
• Own labour planning, headcount requirements, and shift resource planning across all production areas.
• Ensure appropriate staffing levels, skills coverage, and manufacturing flexibility to meet production demand.
• Work closely with Planning and Supply Chain to ensure material availability supports production requirements.
• Review manufacturing capacity and identify future resource, equipment, or tooling requirements to support business growth.
• Ensure manufacturing readiness for production programmes through effective planning of labour, tooling, materials, documentation, and equipment.
• Support Engineering during New Product Introduction activity, ensuring products transition successfully into production.
• Identify manufacturing risks and implement mitigation plans to protect delivery performance.

Continuous improvement and lean manufacturing

• Champion Lean Manufacturing principles across all manufacturing operations.
• Lead the implementation of standardised work, visual management, 5S, SMED, pull manufacturing, and Kanban systems where appropriate.
• Drive continuous improvement through structured Kaizen activity, problem solving, and data-led performance improvement.
• Use root cause analysis methods, including 5 Why, 8D, and PFMEA, to identify issues and implement sustainable corrective actions.
• Lead waste reduction initiatives to improve productivity, quality, and manufacturing flow.
• Develop a culture where continuous improvement forms part of everyday manufacturing activity.

Health, safety, and quality

• Lead by example in promoting a proactive Health and Safety culture throughout manufacturing.
• Ensure compliance with Health and Safety legislation, company procedures, risk assessments, and regulatory requirements.
• Promote safe systems of work and ensure manufacturing teams receive appropriate training.
• Maintain high standards of housekeeping through 5S.
• Work in partnership with Quality to improve Right First-Time performance and reduce scrap, rework, and manufacturing defects.
• Ensure manufacturing processes are followed consistently, and production documentation is completed accurately.
• Lead investigations into manufacturing issues and ensure corrective actions are implemented and sustained.
• Promote a culture of built-in quality across all manufacturing operations.

Cost, reporting, and stakeholder management

• Manage labour budgets and manufacturing expenditure within agreed financial targets.
• Monitor overtime, labour efficiency, and manufacturing costs, identifying opportunities to improve productivity and reduce cost.
• Support the Director of Manufacturing in the preparation of annual manufacturing budgets and resource planning.
• Own manufacturing KPI reporting and ensure timely communication of operational performance.
• Analyse manufacturing trends and develop action plans to improve performance.
• Lead daily production reviews and weekly operational meetings.
• Build strong working relationships with Planning, Supply Chain, Engineering, Maintenance, Quality, and Programme Management.
• Represent Manufacturing during customer visits, manufacturing audits, operational readiness reviews, and cross-functional project reviews.
• Ensure manufacturing commitments are achieved while maintaining strong internal and external customer service.

Our team embraces modern technologies, including AI-assisted tools, to work smarter and deliver better results. Candidates should either have experience using AI tools or demonstrate a willingness to learn and apply them in their role.

Experience

Essential

• Significant experience managing manufacturing operations within a medium or high-volume production environment.
• Previous leadership experience managing Production Supervisors, Team Leaders, and manufacturing teams.
• Proven experience applying Lean Manufacturing principles to improve safety, quality, delivery, cost, and productivity.
• Strong understanding of production planning, labour planning, and capacity management.
• Experience managing operational KPIs and delivering measurable performance improvements.
• Excellent leadership, coaching, and communication skills, with the ability to engage teams and drive accountability.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving ability, with experience identifying issues and implementing practical corrective actions.
• Experience managing performance, developing employees, and building capability within production teams.
• Good understanding of Health and Safety legislation, safe systems of work, and manufacturing compliance requirements.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office, particularly Excel.
• Experience using AI tools or demonstrates a willingness to learn and apply AI in the role.

Ability Assessment

As part of the interview process, you may be asked to deliver a short presentation on a production or manufacturing challenge relevant to the role. This may include how you assess priorities, influence senior stakeholders, lead production teams, and deliver measurable improvements in safety, quality, delivery, cost, or performance. Full details and preparation guidance will be shared in advance.

What do we do at NP Aerospace?

NP Aerospace is a global leader in armour technology manufacturing and vehicle integration, delivering high-performance, lifesaving solutions for the defence and security industry.

Our mission is to improve and protect lives, and our vision is to be a leading provider of innovative solutions that solve our customers' complex challenges. Our values - Respect, Collaboration, Integrity, and Dedication form the bedrock of our culture.