Manufacturing Operations Manager in Portsmouth

Location: Portsmouth Broad Oak - fully site based with travel to Hillend when needed

Salary: Circa £85,000 DOE + executive package

Who we are: Join BAE Systems and you’ll be part of something bigger. As a valued member of our global colleague network, you’ll bring your unique skills and perspectives to help pioneer progress and protect what matters most. You’ll be trusted to play your part in delivering the advanced, technology-led defence, aerospace and security solutions of tomorrow, shaping a safer future, for all of us.

Role description: You will lead the development and delivery of the manufacturing strategy, overseeing end to end operations across Production, Manufacturing Engineering, Planning and Control, and Logistics for the Broad Oak and Hillend facilities. Working visibly and collaboratively with multidisciplinary teams, you will drive operational performance, deploy people and processes effectively, and build high performing, inclusive teams that deliver high quality outcomes. You will provide experienced, manufacturing leadership, anticipating and resolving issues, coaching others, and contributing to the wider management team. You will champion continuous improvement, best practice methods, and good governance to ensure manufacturing processes operate effectively, add value, and meet all Health, Safety, Environment, Quality, Legal and Regulatory requirements.

Core duties:

• Ensuring you and your team are fully trained and compliant with all internal, regulatory and contractual requirements
• Building good, collaborative relationships with colleagues, customers, suppliers, partners and wider stakeholders to support effective delivery
• Providing timely, constructive feedback to senior management and team leaders on performance, engagement and emerging issues
• Leading delivery of the strategic plan and Manufacturing Strategy, ensuring production commitments and milestones are achieved
• Driving continuous improvement by challenging existing practices and implementing better processes, tools and ways of working
• Maintaining high governance standards, resolve non-conformance promptly and promote professional Manufacturing standards across the organisation

Essential skills:

• You are recognised technical expert with extensive manufacturing experience and deep knowledge of tools, techniques and governance
• You hold a good understanding of manufacturing operations, wider business structures and how to apply effective approaches
• You are skilled at navigating complex customer, supply chain and stakeholder environments, influencing decisions at all levels
• You can apply advanced problem solving, data insight and best practice methods to improve performance and drive solutions
• You are an effective communicator able to present complex issues clearly and report performance to senior leaders
• You are an experienced leader of multi-disciplinary teams, building trust, developing capability and driving continuous improvement
• You hold an engineering or management qualification or equivalent professional experience gained through substantial practical learning

The Manufacturing and Operations Management team: A dynamic, collaborative and agile team operating across all aspects of Manufacturing (Production Control, Manufacturing Engineering, Manufacturing and Logistics). The team engage on multiple programmes all at vary stages of the Product and Programme lifecycle, always looking to new technologies and growth opportunities.

Why BAE Systems? Here you’ll build a career with purpose and limitless possibilities. With lifelong learning and meaningful work, this is a place where you can grow your career with confidence and be empowered to be your best. You’ll be recognised for your contribution and enjoy rewards tailored to what’s most important to you and your family, support for your financial and personal wellbeing, as well as a balanced lifestyle. In an environment embracing sustainable ways of working and with a strong sense of shared purpose, our supportive culture is a place you can feel you belong and proud of the difference you make.

A place where everyone can thrive: We’re committed to building an inclusive workplace where everyone feels valued and supported. We know that a diversity of backgrounds, perspectives and experiences strengthens our teams and is vital to the work we do.

Please be aware that many roles at BAE Systems are subject to both security and export control restrictions. These restrictions mean that factors such as your nationality, any nationalities you may have previously held, and your place of birth can restrict the roles you are eligible to perform within the organisation. All applicants must as a minimum achieve Baseline Personnel Security Standard. Many roles also require higher levels of National Security Vetting where applicants must typically have 5 to 10 years of continuous residency in the UK depending on the vetting level required for the role, to allow for meaningful security vetting checks.

Closing Date: 10th April 2026. We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive sufficient applications for the role. Therefore, if you are interested, please submit your application as early as possible.