Manufacturing Manager - Bilfinger nZero in Stone

Bilfinger UK is a leading engineering and maintenance provider, supporting customers across the chemical & petrochemical, nuclear, oil & gas, pharmaceuticals & biopharma, power & energy, utilities, renewables and food & beverage markets.

We enhance the efficiency of assets, ensuring a high level of availability and reducing maintenance costs.

We have extensive experience in offshore and onshore facilities; specialising in asset management services throughout all life cycle phases from consulting, engineering, manufacturing, assembly, operations, maintenance, and decommissioning.

This commitment is delivered by an experienced and highly competent workforce of over 4,500 employees operating from 14 offices in strategic industrial hubs, upholding the highest standards of safety, compliance and quality.

The Role

The Manufacturing Manager is responsible for the leadership, performance and continuous improvement of the Manufacturing and Stores functions across the n Zero business.

The role ensures that manufacturing, stores and operational support activities are delivered safely, efficiently and in accordance with project schedules, quality requirements and budget expectations.

The Manufacturing Manager will lead the Operations Leads and wider team across both sites, providing strategic resource planning, functional leadership and operational governance while supporting the wider business in achieving its delivery, growth and operational objectives.

The Manufacturing Manager is also responsible for the planning, development and allocation of skilled electrical and mechanical technician resources supporting site installation activities across the n Zero business.

This role is split across the Ellesmere Port (CH65 4LX) and Stone (ST15 0QN) offices.

Regular travel between both sites will be required, with occasional travel to other locations as required by the business.

Key Responsibilities

• Leadership & People Management
• Lead and manage the Manufacturing and Stores functions across both Stone and Ellesmere Port operations.
• Lead, coach and develop the Operations Leads, Manufacturing Administrator and Stores team.
• Ensure clear objectives, responsibilities and performance expectations are established across the department.
• Oversee staff management activities for all personnel within the department, including performance reviews, development plans and succession planning.
• Maintain the technical expertise of the department through training, mentoring and skills development activities.
• Maintain departmental skills matrices, identify capability gaps and implement plans to address future requirements.
• Oversee recruitment and temporary labour requirements as required by business demand.
• Manufacturing & Operational Performance
• Ensure all assigned work is delivered safely, efficiently and in accordance with contracted schedules and customer expectations.
• Maintain oversight of manufacturing performance across both facilities.
• Drive a culture of accountability, collaboration and continuous improvement throughout the department.
• Ensure operational activities are effectively planned, prioritised and delivered to achieve business objectives.
• Produce timely management reports covering departmental performance, including OTIF performance, productivity, capacity utilisation and safety and quality metrics.
• Capacity Planning & Resource Management
• Own manufacturing, stores and technical resource planning across both sites.
• Manage the availability and utilisation of skilled electrical and mechanical technicians supporting manufacturing and site installation activities.
• Work closely with the Portfolio Manager, Programme Managers and Construction Manager to ensure technician resources are deployed effectively across manufacturing and project delivery activities.
• Balance workshop and site resource demands to ensure optimum business performance and project delivery.
• Develop forward resource forecasts and identify potential capacity, capability and succession risks.
• Implement plans to address resourcing challenges through recruitment, training, cross‑skilling, overtime planning or subcontract support where appropriate.
• Resolve resource conflicts and support prioritisation decisions in line with business objectives.
• Oversee the Stores function across both locations.
• Ensure effective stock control, inventory accuracy and material traceability.
• Ensure materials are available to support manufacturing and project delivery schedules.
• Ensure compliance with company inventory management procedures and SAP system requirements.
• Support continual improvement of stores processes, controls and reporting.
• Ensure Stores personnel receive appropriate training and support to carry out their duties effectively.
• Support the preparation of departmental budgets and forecasts.
• Manage departmental expenditure in line with approved budgets and business objectives.
• Monitor operational costs and identify opportunities to improve financial performance.
• Work closely with the commercial and project delivery teams to support cost‑effective delivery and resource planning.
• Support business growth by ensuring manufacturing capability and capacity aligns with future workload requirements.
• Cross‑Functional Collaboration
• Act as the primary owner of manufacturing and site installation resource availability across the business.
• Work closely with Programme Managers and the Construction Manager to support project mobilisation and installation requirements.
• Ensure effective coordination between manufacturing, engineering, stores, construction and project delivery functions.
• Provide forward visibility of resource availability, skills constraints and recruitment requirements to support project planning and business growth.
• Quality, Safety & Compliance
• Ensure a safe working environment and promote a positive safety culture across all Manufacturing and Stores activities.
• Be responsible for ensuring compliance with all applicable QHSE requirements and company policies.
• Work closely with the QHSE team to ensure compliance with internal procedures, statutory requirements and customer expectations.
• Ensure all manufacturing and stores activities are completed in accordance with approved processes and quality standards.
• Lead continuous improvement initiatives across Manufacturing and Stores operations.
• Identify and implement opportunities to improve productivity, quality, delivery performance, inventory management, cost efficiency, support the standardisation of processes and working practices across both sites, support the implementation of digitalisation initiatives, SAP system improvements and reporting enhancements, and drive the integration and alignment of manufacturing and stores activities across the n Zero business.

Skills & Experience

• Proven experience managing manufacturing, workshop or production operations.
• Experience leading multi‑disciplinary teams, including first‑line managers and supervisors.
• Minimum 5 years' experience within the gas, energy, engineering, utilities or related sectors.
• Strong resource planning and capacity management experience.
• Experience operating within a bespoke project‑based engineering or manufacturing environment.
• Strong leadership, communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Experience managing budgets, performance metrics and operational reporting.
• Experience delivering process improvement and change initiatives.
• Experience using ERP systems (SAP preferred).
• Good understanding of QHSE requirements within an operational environment.
• Degree or HND in Engineering, Manufacturing, Operations Management or Business Management.
• Experience managing multi‑site operations.
• Experience in manufacturing support to project delivery organisations.
• Experience implementing ERP, digitalisation or continuous improvement programmes.
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