At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead manufacturing strategy and ensure safe, efficient production for innovative marine technology.
- Company: Pioneering UK marine engineering firm redefining propulsion with cutting-edge technology.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, career growth, and a dynamic work environment.
- Other info: Onsite role in Coventry with a focus on operational excellence and safety.
- Why this job: Join a passionate team making waves in marine innovation and safety.
- Qualifications: Experience in manufacturing leadership and a degree in Engineering or related field.
The predicted salary is between 90000 - 110000 £ per year.
Caudwell Marine is a pioneering UK marine engineering company, backed by entrepreneur and philanthropist John Caudwell. We are redefining marine propulsion through the development of a diesel outboard system built for uncompromising performance, reliability and control in all conditions, with a global product launch planned for 2026. As a growing and ambitious business, we are focused on delivering cutting-edge technology designed for the toughest marine environments and turning innovation into real-world impact. At Caudwell Marine, every team member plays an important role in shaping the future of the company. Our approach is built around being confident, committed and consistent in everything we do. Driven by endurance and powered by people, we are building a team that sets high standards and is helping redefine the future of marine propulsion.
Role & Responsibilities
The Manufacturing & Safety Director will report to the CEO and is responsible for defining and leading the organisation's manufacturing and safety strategy, ensuring the development of a scalable, safe, and cost-effective manufacturing capability. The role provides leadership and governance across manufacturing operations, health and safety, facility expansion, and operational excellence, ensuring the business can meet both current production requirements and future growth objectives. This role is responsible for leading the industrialisation and manufacturing readiness programme for the AX300 product family, ensuring a successful transition from development and validation into repeatable series production.
The Manufacturing Director provides strategic leadership to the Head of Manufacturing and wider operational teams, ensuring manufacturing performance, safety standards, and operational capability are aligned with the company's long-term objectives.
Responsibilities include:
- Develop and lead the manufacturing and safety strategy aligned with company goals, growth plans, and product launch timelines.
- Provide leadership and direction to the Head of Manufacturing and wider operational teams, ensuring safe, efficient, and scalable manufacturing operations.
- Lead all manufacturing readiness activities for new product introduction (NPI) ensuring successful launch, quality, cost and delivery performance.
- Establish manufacturing processes, tooling, equipment, production controls and quality systems necessary to support series production.
- Lead the build-out, development, and expansion of manufacturing facilities and production capabilities.
- Act as the executive sponsor for Health, Safety and Environmental performance across all operational activities, ensuring a zero-harm culture and full regulatory compliance.
- Establish and maintain manufacturing and safety governance frameworks, policies, standards, and performance metrics.
- Drive a strong safety-first culture, ensuring proactive risk management and continuous improvement across all operations.
- Oversee manufacturing capacity planning, capital investment, and major equipment procurement to support business growth.
- Monitor manufacturing performance, including safety, quality, cost, delivery, and productivity, ensuring targets are achieved.
- Operational excellence initiatives, including Lean manufacturing and continuous improvement programmes.
- Own manufacturing cost performance including labour productivity, conversion cost, overhead efficiency and manufacturing cost reduction initiatives.
- Collaborate with Engineering, Supply Chain, Quality, and Commercial teams to ensure manufacturing readiness, operational efficiency, and successful product delivery.
- Lead manufacturing engineering activities including process design, assembly strategy, line balancing, tooling development and process optimisation.
- Work closely with Procurement, Supply Chain and Quality to ensure supplier readiness, capacity planning and material availability for production ramp-up.
- Define and execute production ramp-up plans, ensuring operational capability supports business growth and customer demand.
- Lead manufacturing risk management, business continuity planning, and operational resilience initiatives.
- Develop organisational capability within manufacturing through leadership development, succession planning, and team growth.
- Report manufacturing and safety performance, risks, and strategic initiatives to the CEO and senior leadership team.
- Accountable for establishing and monitoring KPIs for: Safety performance, Production output, Manufacturing cost, Productivity, Quality performance, OEE, Launch readiness, Delivery performance.
Required Skills & Experience
This role requires strong strategic thinking, deep technical manufacturing expertise, and senior leadership capability to deliver safe, scalable, and high-performing operations.
- Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Manufacturing, Operations, or related field.
- Experience within automotive, marine, aerospace, defence, powertrain, heavy equipment or similarly regulated environments.
- Significant senior leadership experience within manufacturing, industrialisation or operations environments.
- Proven track record of scaling manufacturing from prototype to full production.
- Strong knowledge of manufacturing processes, quality systems, and production operation.
- Experience leading HSE and embedding safety within manufacturing environments.
- Background in Lean manufacturing and continuous improvement.
- Strong understanding of supply chain, vendor management, and logistics integration.
- Proven ability to lead high-performing operational teams in fast-paced environments.
- Strong strategic, analytical, and problem-solving capability with a hands-on approach.
- Excellent communication skills across operational and executive levels.
Personal Attributes
- Consistent, confident, and committed approach to work.
- Strong leadership presence with the ability to influence across all levels of the organisation.
- Highly committed to safety, quality, and operational excellence.
- Strategic thinker with strong attention to detail and execution focus.
- Calm and effective under pressure, particularly in scaling or high-demand environments.
- Proactive, solution-oriented, and continuously improvement driven.
- Strong communicator and collaborator across cross-functional teams.
- Hands-on, practical leadership style with strong site engagement.
Additional Information
This role is an onsite role based in Coventry, 5 days per week Monday to Friday.
Manufacturing Director in Coventry employer: Caudwell Marine
Caudwell Marine is an excellent employer that fosters a dynamic and supportive work culture, perfect for aspiring marketers. With a strong emphasis on employee growth, the Marketing Apprentice role not only provides hands-on experience in B2B marketing but also offers the opportunity to earn a Level 4 apprenticeship while enjoying a flexible hybrid working arrangement in Coventry. Join us to be part of a team that values innovation and collaboration, ensuring you thrive in your career journey.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Manufacturing Director in Coventry
✨Join Local Manufacturing Groups
Getting involved in local manufacturing groups or associations can seriously boost your visibility. These groups often have insider info on job openings and networking events, plus they help you connect with like-minded folks in the industry. Check out what's happening in your area!
✨Show Off Your Skills in Practical Spaces
Consider participating in workshops or open days at manufacturing companies. It's a great way to show off your hands-on skills in a real-world environment and can sometimes lead to job offers right on the spot. Keep an eye on announcements from local manufacturers for these opportunities!
✨Leverage the Power of Internships
While you're looking for full-time positions, don't underestimate the power of internships! Even if you don't see a direct role, securing an internship at a company can open doors to future jobs. Many manufacturing firms prefer to hire from their intern pool, so it's definitely worth considering.
✨Apply Directly Through Company Websites
When you find a role at a company you love, like Caudwell Marine, apply directly on their website. This way, you’re more likely to be noticed by the hiring team. Plus, showing that you took the time to seek out their application process highlights your genuine interest in the firm!
We think you need these skills to ace Manufacturing Director in Coventry
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 Caudwell Marine 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 Caudwell Marine
✨Know Your Manufacturing Processes
Before you walk into the interview with Caudwell Marine, 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 Caudwell Marine 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.
