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- Tasks: Lead a dynamic trailer manufacturing site and galvanising plant, ensuring safety and quality.
- Company: Join a family-owned business with a rich heritage and innovative spirit.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, pension, and investment in your professional development.
- Other info: Enjoy living in beautiful North Wales, close to stunning landscapes and vibrant cities.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a varied leadership role with growth opportunities.
- Qualifications: Experience in multi-line assembly and a strong focus on continuous improvement.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ per year.
Location: Cynwyd Site, North Wales
Reports to: Group Project Manager + Group Head of Manufacturing
Role type: Senior Leadership, Full-time, Permanent, Mon–Fri + Saturday morning
Salary: Very Competitive
Lead the Cynwyd site — where 18 different IWT trailer product lines are assembled, and all internally manufactured components are processed through an in-house galvanising plant. One of the most operationally varied site leadership roles you will find in UK manufacturing.
About the role
As Production Manager you have full accountability for the leadership, performance and continuous improvement of a multi-line trailer manufacturing site and galvanising plant. You will own safety, quality, cost and delivery across every part of site operations — trailer assembly across 18 product lines, the galvanising plant and the printing operation — making sure the site consistently hits its targets and ships product that meets and exceeds customer expectations.
You will lead an experienced group of Team Leaders and production operatives, partner closely with engineering, materials and quality, and drive an On Time and Right First Time culture that does not pass faults forward to the next process or to the customer. The site operates Monday to Friday with a Saturday morning shift.
What you will be responsible for:
- Site-wide leadership of trailer assembly, galvanising plant and print operations — hitting safety, quality, cost and delivery targets every day.
- Production schedules On Time aligned to customer demand and business targets, across 18 product lines.
- A strong Health & Safety culture — a workplace free of hazards, with employees working in a way that protects themselves and their colleagues.
- A Right First Time culture, embedded across the site — faults are caught and corrected, not passed forward.
- Product quality that meets and exceeds customer expectations, working with the quality team to reduce defects, rework and customer complaints.
- Continuous improvement initiatives that deliver measurable and sustained gains in productivity, quality and cost.
- Operational cost control through efficient use of materials, people and capital.
- Site resource allocation and stock accuracy.
- A high-performing manufacturing leadership team — the right people, with the right skills, in the right places.
What we are looking for:
- Senior production or site leadership experience in trailer, vehicle, or comparable multi-line assembly manufacturing — ideally with adjacent process operations such as galvanising, paint, plating or finishing.
- Demonstrable Continuous Improvement methodology, applied at scale, with measurable and sustained results.
- A track record on the SQCDP fundamentals — safety, quality, cost, delivery and people — with the ability to drive performance and continuous improvement.
- Operational ownership and cost control — confidence with both the numbers and the operational levers behind them.
- Health & Safety leadership in a manufacturing setting, including experience of process-plant operations.
- A genuine record of developing Team Leaders and building a strong shop-floor culture and achieving excellence within Manufacturing.
The behaviours that matter most:
- Accountability and ownership. You own the output, the quality, the safety and the people performance. When things go wrong, you act fast, decide on data, and fix at root cause.
- Direct people leadership. You hold the team to a high standard. You address underperformance promptly and constructively, and you invest seriously in developing the next generation of manufacturing leaders.
- Calm under pressure. Manufacturing operations will be challenging, but you will remain calm and decisive — you isolate the problem, make data driven decisions that are communicated clearly and with authority.
- Customer mindset. You see what leaves the site through the customer’s eyes — and that drives standards across every production line and within the galvanising plant and print room.
- Open, honest, and willing to escalate. You raise risks and concerns without delay or hesitation, and you welcome the same from your team.
Why IWT
A family-owned business with the heritage and stability of a family firm and the scale and complexity to genuinely test a senior site leader. Founded in 1958, with five advanced manufacturing sites across North Wales, and with customers across the UK, Europe and beyond.
The role offers real breadth — multi-line assembly, process-plant operations, finishing, people development and operational performance — all under one site leader. North Wales is an outstanding place to live and work, with the coast and Eryri (Snowdonia) on the doorstep and Liverpool and Manchester just over an hour away.
We offer a competitive senior-leadership salary (details on application), pension, genuine investment in continuing professional development, and a leadership role with real authority and the resources to deliver against it.
How to apply
Send your CV and a one-page covering note — what attracts you to this role, why you are applying, and what relevant experience you would bring — to jac@iforwilliamstrailers.co.uk by 1st June 2026. Shortlisted candidates will be invited to a site visit and a multi-stage competency-based interview with the Chief Operating Officer, Group Head of Manufacturing, Group Project Manager and other senior panel members. We will be in touch with all applicants and thank you in advance for taking the time to apply.
Production Manager employer: Ifor Williams Trailers Ltd
Contact Detail:
Ifor Williams Trailers Ltd Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Production Manager
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the manufacturing industry, especially those who know about trailer assembly or galvanising. A friendly chat can lead to insider info on job openings that aren't even advertised yet.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its products. Understand their values and how they align with your experience in safety, quality, and continuous improvement. This will help you stand out as a candidate who truly gets what they're about.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your leadership skills during interviews. Be ready to share specific examples of how you've developed teams and driven performance in previous roles. We want to see that you can lead a high-performing manufacturing team!
✨Tip Number 4
Don't forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you're genuinely interested in being part of our family-owned business.
We think you need these skills to ace Production Manager
Some tips for your application 🫡
Craft a Compelling CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Production Manager role. Highlight your leadership experience in multi-line assembly and any relevant continuous improvement initiatives you've led. We want to see how your background aligns with our needs!
Write a Standout Covering Note: Your covering note is your chance to shine! Tell us what excites you about this role and why you think you're the perfect fit. Be genuine and let your personality come through — we love to see enthusiasm!
Showcase Your Achievements: When detailing your experience, focus on specific achievements that demonstrate your ability to drive safety, quality, cost, and delivery. Use numbers and examples to back up your claims — we appreciate data-driven insights!
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to keep track of your application and ensure it gets the attention it deserves. We can’t wait to hear from you!
How to prepare for a job interview at Ifor Williams Trailers Ltd
✨Know Your Numbers
As a Production Manager, you'll need to be confident with operational metrics. Brush up on your SQCDP fundamentals—safety, quality, cost, delivery, and people. Be ready to discuss how you've used data to drive performance improvements in past roles.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Style
Prepare examples that highlight your direct people leadership skills. Think about times when you addressed underperformance or developed team leaders. This role requires calmness under pressure, so share how you've maintained composure while making tough decisions.
✨Emphasise Continuous Improvement
Demonstrate your experience with continuous improvement methodologies. Have specific examples ready that showcase measurable results you've achieved in productivity, quality, or cost control. This will show your potential employer that you're proactive about driving change.
✨Customer Mindset Matters
Be prepared to discuss how you view operations through the customer's eyes. Share instances where you ensured product quality met or exceeded customer expectations. This perspective is crucial for maintaining high standards across all production lines.