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- Tasks: Lead operational improvements and develop global manufacturing strategies in a dynamic environment.
- Company: Join James Fisher, a global leader in underwater capabilities with a supportive culture.
- Benefits: Enjoy early finishes on Fridays, competitive salary, and a range of benefits.
- Other info: Opportunities for career development and meaningful work await you.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on safety and innovation in global operations.
- Qualifications: Experience in manufacturing improvement and strong stakeholder management skills required.
The predicted salary is between 70000 - 90000 £ per year.
This high-impact role focuses on improving manufacturing across JFD. You will drive operational change, translate priorities into actions, and ensure improvements are embedded rather than lost in day-to-day firefighting. Working across manufacturing, supply chain, production, planning, engineering, quality, technical services and business operations, you will improve performance, stability, efficiency and delivery confidence, enabling functional leaders to focus on strategy and running their operations. The role combines longer-term improvement with hands-on delivery in a fast-paced, regulated environment and may require some domestic and international travel.
Responsibilities
- Lead and coordinate the operational improvement agenda across all relevant functions.
- Lead the development of global manufacturing strategies including complex global product manufacturing plans.
- Support the Operations Director by leading operations strategy development to support business growth and the wider strategic plan.
- Identify, prioritise and implement high-value improvement opportunities aligned to business and operational goals.
- Ensure improvement actions are governed, resourced, tracked and delivered through to sustained adoption.
- Drive measurable improvements in safety, quality, delivery, productivity, lead time, cost and inventory.
- Work with functional heads to address systemic issues, bottlenecks, waste and recurring failure demand.
- Establish clear improvement plans, reporting and performance measures for the Operations Director.
- Support the move from reactive firefighting to more stable, controlled and repeatable ways of working as part of the wider JFD system.
- Align with the IMS and ERP Transformation project which will run in parallel.
- Build improvement capability and discipline across operational teams and leaders.
Qualifications
- Strong breadth of knowledge across manufacturing and operational functions.
- Proven track record of delivering measurable improvement across complex operational environments.
- Experience in manufacturing improvement, operational excellence, transformation or similar leadership roles.
- Experience of working in a highly regulated industry.
- Strong understanding of continuous improvement, lean principles, process improvement and performance management.
- Able to diagnose root causes, prioritise effectively and convert improvement opportunities into practical action.
- Strong stakeholder management skills, with the ability to influence at senior level and work effectively across functions.
- Strong data and performance literacy, using metrics to identify issues, track progress and measure impact.
- Experience of implementing and embedding change in delivery-focused environments.
Benefits
- Early finish on Fridays.
- Competitive salary and benefits package aligned with experience (Private Medical Insurance, Life Assurance, Cycle to Work scheme, Company Pension, etc.).
- Clear pathways for career development and organisational visibility.
- Inclusive and supportive culture that values individual contributions.
- Meaningful work with impact across safety, innovation, and global operations.
About the Company
James Fisher (JFD) is a global leader in underwater capability, delivering cutting-edge diving, submarine rescue and hyperbaric solutions across commercial and defence markets worldwide.
EEO Statement
At James Fisher and Sons, we are committed to taking positive action on and strongly encourage applications from candidates of all backgrounds. We are proud to be a confident employer and recognise that our success is driven by the talent and dedication of our workforce.
Head of Manufacturing Process and Systems in Aberdeen employer: Energy Jobline ZR
Contact Detail:
Energy Jobline ZR Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Manufacturing Process and Systems in Aberdeen
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the industry, especially those at JFD. A friendly chat can open doors and give you insights that a job description just can't.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by practising your STAR technique. Think of specific examples where you've driven operational change or improved processes. We want to hear about your successes!
✨Tip Number 3
Show your passion for continuous improvement! Be ready to discuss how you've implemented lean principles or tackled systemic issues in past roles. It’s all about demonstrating your hands-on experience.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive about their job search.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Manufacturing Process and Systems in Aberdeen
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV speaks directly to the role of Head of Manufacturing Process and Systems. Highlight your experience in operational improvement and any relevant achievements that align with the job description. We want to see how you can drive change!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're the perfect fit for this role. Share specific examples of how you've led improvements in manufacturing or operational excellence, and don’t forget to show your passion for the industry.
Showcase Your Skills: Make sure to highlight your strong stakeholder management skills and your ability to influence at senior levels. We’re looking for someone who can work effectively across functions, so give us examples of how you've done this in the past.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother application process. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates from us!
How to prepare for a job interview at Energy Jobline ZR
✨Know Your Manufacturing Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of manufacturing processes and systems. Understand the latest trends in operational excellence and lean principles, as these will likely come up during the interview. Be ready to discuss how you've applied these concepts in previous roles.
✨Showcase Your Improvement Track Record
Prepare specific examples of measurable improvements you've driven in past positions. Use metrics to illustrate your impact on safety, quality, delivery, and cost. This will demonstrate your ability to translate operational challenges into actionable solutions.
✨Stakeholder Management is Key
Think about how you've influenced senior stakeholders in your previous roles. Be ready to share stories that highlight your communication skills and ability to work across functions. This will show that you can lead change effectively within a complex organisational structure.
✨Be Ready for Hands-On Scenarios
Since this role involves both strategic planning and hands-on delivery, prepare to discuss how you balance long-term goals with day-to-day operations. Think of examples where you've successfully moved from reactive firefighting to more stable, controlled processes.