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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a dynamic forging operation and drive continuous improvement in a fast-paced environment.
- Company: Join a respected engineering manufacturer with a forward-thinking approach.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, strong work-life balance, and early Friday finishes.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a key operational area and shape the future of manufacturing.
- Qualifications: Proven experience in operations management and strong leadership skills required.
- Other info: Excellent career growth opportunities in a supportive team culture.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ per year.
An established and highly respected engineering manufacturer is seeking an experienced Operations Manager to lead a critical forging operation within a fast-paced, heavy engineering environment. This is a senior leadership opportunity where you'll take full ownership of performance across safety, quality, delivery, and cost, driving a culture of continuous improvement and operational excellence.
The Opportunity
You'll be responsible for the day-to-day leadership of a complex forging operation, ensuring production targets are met while continuously improving processes, performance, and team capability. Working closely with senior leadership, you'll play a key role in shaping strategy, improving efficiencies, and delivering world-class manufacturing performance.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead and embed a proactive Health & Safety culture, driving compliance and accountability
- Deliver against production plans, KPIs, and customer delivery targets
- Manage resource planning and scheduling to meet operational demands
- Drive quality improvements, ensuring right-first-time performance
- Lead root cause analysis and corrective actions across operational issues
- Control and improve cost performance, including waste and scrap reduction
- Champion continuous improvement (Lean, 6S, OEE, TPM)
- Develop, coach, and lead high-performing teams
- Collaborate cross-functionally to ensure smooth operational delivery
- Work closely with maintenance to minimise downtime and improve asset performance
Leadership & Culture
- Build and lead a culture of ownership, accountability, and teamwork
- Engage, motivate, and develop teams to achieve operational excellence
- Deliver clear and consistent communication across all levels
- Drive performance through strong leadership and structured development
About You
- Proven experience as an Operations Manager / Production Manager within heavy engineering or manufacturing
- Strong leadership skills with a track record of developing high-performing teams
- Experience with continuous improvement tools and methodologies
- Strong understanding of KPI management, cost control, and process optimisation
- Ability to interpret technical drawings and engineering data
- A proactive, hands-on leader with strong problem-solving ability
- Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills
- Engineering qualification preferred (or equivalent experience)
Working Hours
Monday - Thursday: 8:00am - 4:15pm
Friday: 8:00am - 3:00pm
Why Apply?
- Join a well-established and forward-thinking engineering business
- Take ownership of a key operational area with real influence
- Drive continuous improvement and make a tangible impact
- Enjoy a strong work-life balance with early Friday finishes
- Competitive salary and long-term career potential
If you're an experienced operations leader ready to take ownership of a high-impact manufacturing environment, we'd love to hear from you.
Forging Manager in Livingston employer: First Achieve Ltd
Contact Detail:
First Achieve Ltd Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Forging Manager in Livingston
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the engineering and manufacturing sectors. Attend industry events or join relevant online forums to meet potential employers and get insider info on job openings.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its culture. Understand their values and how they align with your leadership style. This will help you showcase how you can drive operational excellence and continuous improvement.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your achievements! Be ready to discuss specific examples of how you've led teams, improved processes, and driven performance in previous roles. Use metrics to back up your claims and demonstrate your impact.
✨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 Forging Manager in Livingston
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV reflects the key responsibilities and skills mentioned in the job description. Highlight your experience in leading operations, driving continuous improvement, and managing teams to show us you’re the right fit for the Forging Manager role.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Use your cover letter to tell us why you’re passionate about this opportunity. Share specific examples of how you've successfully led teams and improved processes in previous roles, so we can see your potential impact on our operations.
Showcase Your Leadership Style: In your application, give us a glimpse of your leadership style. We want to know how you engage and motivate teams, as well as how you handle challenges. This will help us understand how you’ll fit into our culture of ownership and accountability.
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it shows us you’re keen to join our forward-thinking engineering business.
How to prepare for a job interview at First Achieve Ltd
✨Know Your Operations Inside Out
Before the interview, make sure you thoroughly understand the forging operation and its key performance indicators. Familiarise yourself with the company's production plans and how they align with safety, quality, and cost targets. This will show your potential employer that you're not just a candidate but someone who can hit the ground running.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Style
Be prepared to discuss your leadership approach and how you've developed high-performing teams in the past. Share specific examples of how you've driven a culture of accountability and teamwork, as well as how you've engaged and motivated your teams to achieve operational excellence.
✨Emphasise Continuous Improvement
Highlight your experience with continuous improvement methodologies like Lean and Six Sigma. Be ready to discuss specific projects where you've implemented these tools to enhance efficiency and reduce waste. This will demonstrate your commitment to driving operational excellence.
✨Prepare for Technical Questions
Since the role requires interpreting technical drawings and engineering data, brush up on relevant technical knowledge. Be ready to answer questions about process optimisation and resource planning, as this will showcase your ability to manage complex operations effectively.