Production Manager – Lacquer Department in Poole

• Company Name: Sunseeker International Limited
• Address: Sunseeker International, Technology Centre, Poole, BH12 4NQ
• Job Type: Production Management, Operations
• Job Region: South West England, Dorset
• About Sunseeker International

Sunseeker was founded on a bold vision: to create a new kind of yacht and redefine what was possible on the water.

From our earliest designs in 1967, we’ve pushed boundaries and reshaped the motor yacht industry through innovation, craftsmanship and relentless ambition.

At the heart of every Sunseeker lies a legacy of expert hands and meticulous attention to detail, skills refined and passed down through generations.

These are the qualities that set our yachts apart - and the qualities that continue to drive our craft today.

In a world increasingly defined by automation, we remain committed to building hand‑crafted, hand‑finished boats.

With over 1,800 talented team members across our busy shipyards - from long‑serving specialists to more than 180 apprentices - our Sunseeker workforce reflects the strength, diversity and pride of our local community.

It’s this blend of heritage, skill and passion that makes our shipyards unlike any other place in the world.

Who We Are Seeking

We are looking for a highly driven and organised Production Manager to lead performance within Wood Technology area.

You will be an experienced leader with strong production, engineering, or project‑based expertise and a proven ability to manage pace, quality, and cost‑effectively.

You will bring a modern, people‑focused leadership style, excellent planning capability, and the confidence to make informed decisions in a fast‑paced environment.

A strong understanding of Health, Safety and Welfare practices, LEAN methodologies and continuous improvement will be essential to success in this role.

A Day in the Life

As a Production Manager, you’ll oversee day‑to‑day production to ensure your area meets quality, schedule, and cost targets.

You’ll lead quality cascades, review KPIs, and make data‑driven decisions to maintain safety, pace, and performance.

Your day will involve close collaboration with labour planning teams, engineering, HR and other key stakeholders while keeping the team aligned through regular briefings, start/end‑of‑shift handovers, and active floor presence.

You’ll support the Business Unit Manager, stepping in when required to manage operational issues, planning, absence, and workflow.

You will also take accountability for the welfare, safety, and professional development of your team.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and oversee all manufacturing and production processes to achieve on‑time delivery and build quality.
• Develop production schedules, workflows, and capacity plans to meet targets within budget.
• Drive quality performance including zero defects, IPC completion, standardised work, warranty reduction and continuous improvement activities.
• Lead quality meetings and ensure all teams uphold Sunseeker’s quality standards.
• Drive pace, efficiency, waste reduction, and line improvements through LEAN/Kaizen practices and 5S audits.
• Manage team leadership, performance, morale, coaching, and development—including apprentices and new starters.
• Conduct briefings, allocate work, manage handovers and ensure consistent communication across the team.
• Uphold all Sunseeker policies, escalating operational issues where required.
• Ensure full compliance with Health & Safety standards, daily checks, incident reporting and safe working practices.
• Manage budgets, ensure build manuals and specifications are followed and assess training needs.
• Process design change requests and ensure boats are built exactly to design specifications.
• Liaise with stakeholders across the business to ensure high‑quality production outcomes.
• To Be Considered for This Job You Should
• Hold a Level 5+ qualification in production, design, engineering or significant equivalent experience.
• Have proven experience leading teams with evidence of continuous professional development.
• Demonstrate strong project management, planning, and organisational skills.
• Show a deep understanding of Health, Safety and Welfare practices.
• Be confident in coaching, motivating and developing team performance.
• Have strong analytical ability and be proficient in MS Office applications.
• Possess knowledge of Lean Manufacturing and/or Six Sigma (Green Belt).
• Be an effective, collaborative communicator able to perform under pressure.
• (Desirable) Have experience using SAP.
• Sunseeker employees benefit from

With 7 miles of golden sandy beaches, flanked on both sides by the New Forest National Park and the Jurassic Coast line, working in Poole for a genuinely premiere international brand offers an enviable opportunity to truly live the dream.

All the usual benefits you would expect from a sophisticated manufacturing organisation are available, including:

• A generous company pension scheme - 6% employer contribution
• Private medical insurance, including baby bonus and Digital GP (after 2 years)
• Dental insurance (after 2 years)
• Annual leave increases with continued service
• Health Assured EAP
• Trained Mental Health First Aiders
• Employee discounts with a wide range of third party businesses (up to 30% off) & Perkbox platform
• Address Sunseeker Technology Centre, Mannings Heath, Poole, BH12 4NQ
• Job Type Production Management, Operations
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