Head of Operations and Manufacturing

We’re looking for a decisive, hands‑on Head of Operations and Manufacturing to lead our manufacturing and fabrication operations through a critical phase of improvement and growth. This is a high‑impact role at the heart of the business, reporting to our Managing Director where production discipline, technical credibility, and strong leadership genuinely move the needle.

If you excel in challenging settings, know how to stabilise and improve performance, and can build robust production capability, this is a chance to shape a facility with significant potential.

You will take full ownership of the manufacturing and fabrication function, ensuring safe, reliable, and efficient output across welding, plating, and other heavy engineering disciplines, including CNC Plasma and Gas cutting and a semi-automated panel production line. Working as a peer to the Programme Director, you’ll ensure production flow supports project delivery and customer milestones.

You’ll lead a team including your Production Manager and Supervisors, driving a culture of accountability, technical excellence, and continuous improvement. A key priority will be maximising the use of equipment, labour, and workshop space to deliver predictable, dependable production flow.

* Lead and develop your fabrication function and the apprenticeship program

* Drive gains in productivity, quality, safety, and schedule adherence

* Optimise shop‑floor layout, equipment utilisation, and workforce deployment

* Training and skill set development to ensure our workforce is fully skilled in multi disciplines

* Embed Lean, Six Sigma, and CI practices that deliver measurable results

* Work closely with Project Managers to align resources with complex build programmes

* Strengthen trade discipline and reinforce engineering‑led decision‑making

* Operate effectively within a unionised workforce

* Grow leadership capability across your production teams

* Contribute directly to the wider business turnaround and operational strategy

An experienced production leader who has developed from a trade background and understands the demands of heavy fabrication and engineering environments.

* Time‑served apprenticeship in a relevant heavy engineering trade (welding, plating, fabrication, fitting, etc.)

* HNC / HND or equivalent technical progression would be good

* Strong track record in leading production teams within fabrication or heavy engineering

* Deep understanding of Lean, Six Sigma, and CI tools

* Practical experience working with unionised labour

* Proven leadership in fast‑paced, complex, or turnaround settings

* Technically credible and respected by tradespeople

* An exceptional planner with a focus on production flow and resource optimisation

* Decisive, pragmatic, and confident in high‑pressure situations

* Able to motivate and challenge teams while building capability

* Commercially aware and delivery‑driven

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