At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and improve manufacturing operations while ensuring safety and efficiency across multiple sites.
- Company: Join Bilfinger UK, a top engineering and maintenance provider in various industries.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, career growth opportunities, and a supportive work environment.
- Other info: Collaborative culture with a focus on continuous improvement and employee development.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a dynamic role that drives innovation and operational excellence.
- Qualifications: Proven experience in manufacturing management and strong leadership skills required.
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 nZero 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 nZero 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
- Resource utilisation
- Capacity utilisation
- 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.
Stores & Inventory Management
- 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.
Financial & Commercial Management
- 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.
Continuous Improvement & Integration
- Lead continuous improvement initiatives across Manufacturing and Stores operations.
- Identify and implement opportunities to improve:
- Productivity
- Quality
- Delivery performance
- Resource utilisation
- 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.
- Drive the integration and alignment of manufacturing and stores activities across the nZero business.
Skills & Experience
Essential
- 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.
Desirable
- Degree or HND in Engineering, Manufacturing, Operations Management or Business Management.
- Professional management qualification.
- Experience managing multi‑site operations.
- Experience in manufacturing support to project delivery organisations.
- Experience implementing ERP, digitalisation or continuous improvement programmes.
If you wish to speak to a member of the recruitment team, please contact 01224 246246.
leo.taylor@bilfinger.com
Bilfinger UK Limited
Operations
Permanent
Management
Bilfinger Operations
Manufacturing Manager - Bilfinger nZero in Stone employer: Bilfinger
BILFINGER is an exceptional employer that values its employees by fostering a collaborative and dynamic work culture in Ulceby, UK. With a focus on professional growth, we offer extensive training and development opportunities, ensuring that our team members thrive in their roles while contributing to impactful engineering and construction projects. Enjoy the benefits of a flexible 11-day rolling fortnight schedule, allowing for a healthy work-life balance.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Manufacturing Manager - Bilfinger nZero in Stone
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We think you need these skills to ace Manufacturing Manager - Bilfinger nZero in Stone
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Your Technical Skills:In the manufacturing-production sector, it's crucial to highlight your technical skills and experience. Make sure your CV features any relevant qualifications, such as certifications in machinery operation or production management, and don’t forget about any specific systems or software you’re familiar with. This can really set you apart!
Emphasise Teamwork and Communication:Working in manufacturing often means being part of a larger team. Highlight your experience in collaborative projects or environments where communication was key. Maybe you have experience with lean manufacturing principles? Talk about how you worked with your team to improve productivity and maintain quality.
Tailor Your Cover Letter to the Company:Don’t just recycle an old cover letter! Take the time to tailor your cover letter to Bilfinger specifically. Mention what excites you about their production processes or products, and how your previous experiences can contribute to their goals. We want to see your enthusiasm for the role!
Use Concrete Examples of Your Achievements:When detailing your work experience, include measurable achievements that can demonstrate your impact. Whether it’s improving efficiency by a certain percentage or successfully leading a project, these specifics can make a huge difference. Numbers speak volumes in the manufacturing world!
How to prepare for a job interview at Bilfinger
✨Know Your Manufacturing Processes
Before you walk into the interview with Bilfinger, brush up on the specific manufacturing processes relevant to the role. Understanding lean manufacturing principles or quality control techniques could give you a solid edge to discuss how you’d fit into their operations.
✨Technical Questions Are Key
Be prepared for technical questions around machinery, production scheduling, or materials handling. Make sure you can confidently explain how you've dealt with these in past experiences or internships. Knowing industry-specific software could also be a big plus!
✨Showcase Your Problem-Solving Skills
Manufacturing environments often focus on continuous improvement. Be ready to discuss specific instances where you’ve solved a production issue or implemented a process improvement. It’s all about demonstrating your analytical thinking and hands-on approach.
✨Align Your Values with Quality and Safety
In a full-time role, companies like Bilfinger value commitment to quality and safety. Be prepared to discuss how you prioritise these factors in your work. It’s about showing that you’re not just looking for a job, but that you genuinely care about contributing positively to their production environment.
