Manufacturing Operations Manager

Manufacturing Operations Manager | Space/Aerospace | Bordon | On-site | Competitive salary & package

We are seeking a Manufacturing Operations Manager to take strategic and operational management of a Manufacturing Facility producing high-precision, high-value, and low-volume complex mechanical and composite assemblies.
 
Reporting to the Production Director the position takes ownership of day-to-day facility operations, health and safety compliance, production planning, materials control, stakeholder management, while also leading a team to ensure efficient production, adherence to quality standards, and delivery to schedule.
 
Responsible For

• Leadership and Site Management
• Production and Process Management
• Site Materials and Inventory Control
• Customer and Stakeholder Management

Key Tasks

• Act as the Site Manager for the Manufacturing Facility, overseeing day-to-day operations, health and safety compliance, and production output.
• Line management of direct reports, including team development, training, and succession planning.
• Collaborate with the Health & Safety Manager to ensure compliance with relevant legislation, including operational hazard risk management and COSHH.
• Oversee the production plan through ERP to support project demands and external customer requirements.
• Generate and maintain manufacturing requirement plans and align them with production plans.
• Review and resolve production capacity clashes, including make/buy decisions and external manufacturing.
• Support internal and external audits, including ISO 9001 and ISO 14001, addressing corrective actions (CARs) and observations.
• Ensure Design for Manufacture (DFM) considerations are incorporated during project and engineering reviews.
• Oversee Materials Control and Goods In, ensuring stock accuracy, adherence to stock control measures, and compliance with shelf-life requirements.
• Maintain accurate records for hazardous materials (COSHH) and ensure the security of warehouse/stores areas.
• Attend customer-facing meetings, reviews, and progress updates to represent the facility.
• Coordinate and manage external work while providing customer reporting.
• Work closely with Composites DFM colleagues to provide schedule and cost input for bid activities related to internal and external projects.
• Identify and implement process improvements to enhance efficiency and quality.
• Drive a culture of continuous improvement and proactively address potential single points of failure.
• Other activities and responsibilities as delegated by the Production Director, including acting as delegate in certain meetings / forums.

Previous Experience

• Proven experience in manufacturing engineering, ideally in the production of complex mechanical and composite assemblies in a high-precision, high-value, and low-volume environment (preferably space/aerospace).
• A thorough understanding of mechanical and composite manufacturing techniques, including CNC and manual machining principles and processes.
• Experience with materials control and ERP/MRP systems, with knowledge of SAP advantageous but not essential (training provided).
• Experience in facility management and health and safety operations, including COSHH management.

Qualifications, Knowledge & Skills

• ONC/HNC or Degree in Mechanical, Materials, or Production Engineering.
• A strong educational background with additional training in leadership is advantageous.
• IOSH Managing Safely would be advantageous.

Location
Bordon (primary), with frequent visits to Guildford (e.g. fortnightly management meetings, travelling time paid)
 
Benefits

• Competitive Salary.
• Flexible working policies.
• 32 days annual leave + BH.
• Annual Company Bonus Scheme.
• Up to 8% employer pension contribution.
• Life Assurance (6X salary).
• Private Health Care.
• Enhanced Maternity & Paternity leave.
• Multiple Discount, Memberships schemes.