At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and coordinate manufacturing operations, ensuring quality and efficiency across multiple departments.
- Company: Join a respected engineering firm known for innovative low-volume tech manufacturing.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, flexible working, generous leave, and career progression opportunities.
- Other info: Opportunity for international travel and a supportive team culture.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a dynamic environment while developing your leadership skills.
- Qualifications: 5+ years in production management with a strong engineering background.
The predicted salary is between 50000 - 50000 £ per year.
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 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.
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.
Senior Production Manager – Low-Volume Tech Manufacturing in Kettering employer: ACS Staffing Solutions
Join a highly respected engineering and manufacturing organisation in Kettering, where you will thrive in a collaborative and fast-paced environment. With a competitive salary of up to £50,000, generous annual leave, and opportunities for international travel, this role offers not just a job but a pathway for long-term career progression. The company fosters a culture of continuous improvement and employee development, ensuring that you can grow your skills while contributing to the success of innovative low-volume, high-value manufacturing projects.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Production Manager – Low-Volume Tech Manufacturing in Kettering
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the industry, attend relevant events, and don’t be shy about letting people know you’re on the hunt for a Senior Production Manager role. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its products. Understand their operational challenges and think about how your experience can help them improve efficiency and customer satisfaction. Tailor your answers to show you’re the perfect fit for their team!
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your leadership stories! Be ready to share examples of how you’ve led teams, tackled production challenges, and driven continuous improvement. Highlight your hands-on approach and how you’ve balanced technical and commercial responsibilities.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive and engaged with our platform. Let’s get you that Senior Production Manager role!
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Production Manager – Low-Volume Tech Manufacturing in Kettering
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV reflects the skills and experience that match the job description. Highlight your engineering background and any relevant leadership roles you've held in production or operations.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Use your cover letter to tell us why you're the perfect fit for this role. Share specific examples of how you've driven operational excellence and improved efficiency in previous positions.
Showcase Your Technical Skills:Don’t forget to mention your technical expertise, especially in mechanical and electrical engineering. We want to see how your skills can contribute to our low-volume, high-value manufacturing environment.
Apply Through Our Website:For the best chance of success, make sure to apply directly through our website. This way, we can easily track your application and get back to you quickly!
How to prepare for a job interview at ACS Staffing Solutions
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your technical knowledge related to low-volume tech manufacturing. Be ready to discuss your engineering background and how it applies to the role. Familiarise yourself with the company's products and any recent developments in the industry.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples of how you've successfully led teams in the past. Think about specific challenges you've faced in production management and how you overcame them. Highlight your ability to mentor and develop team members, as this is crucial for the role.
✨Understand the Business Side
Since the role requires a strong commercial focus, be prepared to discuss how you've managed operational costs and improved profitability in previous positions. Bring insights on how you can contribute to the company's financial objectives and operational efficiency.
✨Ask Smart Questions
At the end of the interview, have some thoughtful questions ready. Inquire about the company's future projects, their approach to continuous improvement, or how they handle cross-departmental collaboration. This shows your genuine interest in the role and the organisation.
