Production Manager in Kettering

An exciting opportunity has arisen for an experienced and commercially minded Production Manager to join a highly respected engineering and manufacturing organisation based in Kettering. Operating within a specialist low-volume, high-value manufacturing environment, the business designs, manufactures, and supplies advanced technical equipment to customers across global markets.

This role is ideally suited to a strong operational leader with an engineering background who enjoys balancing technical, commercial, and people responsibilities within a fast-paced and collaborative environment.

The Opportunity

The Production Manager will take responsibility for the end-to-end coordination and delivery of manufacturing and operational activities across multiple departments. Working closely with senior leadership, the successful candidate will oversee planning, production, engineering coordination, service delivery, warehousing, buying, and quality processes to ensure operational excellence and customer satisfaction. This is a highly visible leadership role with significant scope to influence operational strategy, improve efficiency, and contribute to the continued growth and success of the division. The role requires a hands-on and proactive leader capable of driving accountability, supporting continuous improvement, and developing high-performing teams while maintaining a strong customer and commercial focus.

Key Responsibilities

• Operational Delivery & Production Planning
  • Lead and coordinate operational delivery from order acceptance through to production, shipment, installation, commissioning, and aftersales support.
  • Ensure production schedules, resource planning, and capacity management are aligned with customer delivery expectations.
  • Develop and improve integrated planning processes across engineering, production, servicing, buying, and warehousing functions.
  • Identify operational risks, bottlenecks, and delivery challenges proactively and implement effective solutions.
  • Ensure accurate tracking and visibility of production priorities, workflow, and timelines.
• Production, Engineering & Service Oversight
  • Provide leadership and support to team leaders and technical departments across: Mechanical design, Electrical design, Software/Firmware coordination, Mechanical assembly and production, Electrical production and calibration, Commissioning and testing, Technical service and support, Warehousing and fulfilment.
  • Ensure all production and calibration activities are completed in line with established quality standards, operational procedures, and compliance requirements.
  • Support cross-functional collaboration between departments to improve communication and operational efficiency.
  • Drive accountability for production quality, defect reporting, root cause analysis, and corrective actions.
  • Oversee service and technical support operations to ensure customer issues are resolved effectively and professionally.
• Commercial & Financial Awareness
  • Support the achievement of operational and financial objectives through effective planning and resource management.
  • Work collaboratively with sales, logistics, and senior leadership teams to balance customer expectations with operational capability and profitability.
  • Identify opportunities to reduce operational inefficiencies and cost leakage.
  • Contribute operational insight to wider commercial and strategic business decisions.
  • Develop greater visibility of margin performance and operational impact on profitability.
• Customer Engagement & Business Support
  • Support customer satisfaction by ensuring operational delivery commitments are consistently achieved.
  • Work closely with commercial teams to resolve technical or operational customer concerns quickly and effectively.
  • Contribute technical and operational input into product positioning, service offerings, marketing materials, and business development activities.
  • Support the development of aftermarket opportunities including training, upgrades, servicing, and technical support packages.
• Leadership & Team Development
  • Lead, mentor, and develop operational team leaders to improve performance, accountability, and communication.
  • Create a positive, commercially aware, and customer-focused culture across the production and service functions.
  • Support succession planning, skills development, and employee training initiatives.
  • Ensure effective communication across departments and with senior stakeholders.
  • Promote continuous improvement and encourage teams to identify and implement operational efficiencies.
• Continuous Improvement & Governance
  • Support strategic operational and product development initiatives aimed at maintaining competitive advantage.
  • Improve operational consistency while avoiding unnecessary complexity or bureaucracy.
  • Strengthen communication and feedback loops between engineering, sales, production, service, quality, and buying teams.
  • Support compliance and audit readiness activities relating to CE/UKCA regulations and calibration standards.
  • Drive improvements in operational processes, reporting, planning, and performance visibility.

Candidate Profile

The successful candidate will be a practical and grounded operational leader with strong technical understanding and the ability to balance strategic thinking with hands-on delivery. You will demonstrate:

• A qualified mechanical and/or electrical engineering background.
• Minimum 5 years’ experience within a senior production, operations, or manufacturing leadership role.
• Proven experience managing both engineering/design and production teams.
• Strong planning, organisational, and problem-solving abilities.
• Commercial awareness with understanding of operational cost, margin impact, and customer expectations.
• Experience using ERP systems within a manufacturing environment.
• Confidence working within a low-volume, high-value manufacturing setting.
• Strong communication skills with the ability to engage effectively at all levels.
• Knowledge of machinery regulations and manufacturing compliance standards.
• Strong IT literacy and interest in evolving technologies and operational systems.

Desirable Experience

• Experience in any of the following areas would be advantageous: Business Central ERP systems, Profit & Loss exposure or operational budgeting responsibility, Precision engineering or capital equipment manufacturing, IoT, automation, or machine learning technologies, Product development, product strategy, or business growth initiatives, International service or technical support environments.

What’s On Offer

• Competitive salary up to £50,000 DOE.
• 25–30 days annual leave (service dependent).
• Company pension scheme.
• Life assurance.
• Income protection.
• Flexible working arrangements.
• Free on-site parking.
• Opportunity for international travel.
• Long-term career progression within a growing and innovative engineering business.

For a confidential discussion or to express interest in the opportunity, please apply directly.