At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the operational heart of a leading trailer manufacturer and ensure high-quality component production.
- Company: Join Ifor Williams Trailers, 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 dynamic environment with opportunities for growth and leadership.
- Qualifications: Experience in senior production or operations leadership within manufacturing.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ per year.
Role type: Permanent.
Summary: Components Manufacturing
Lead the operational heart of Ifor Williams Trailers — the UK and Europe’s leading trailer manufacturer. Our Components Site at Corwen is the largest supplier to our trailer assembly lines, and we are looking for an exceptional senior operations leader to run it.
Reports to: Group Head of Manufacturing and Chief Operating Officer
About the role
The Production Manager — Components Manufacturing sits at the operational heart of our business. The Components Site is the largest supplier for our downstream trailers assembly sites and is central and critical to the success of our business. The Components Site houses laser cutting machines, turret punching machines, press brakes, pack saws, vertical CNC machining centres, robotic welding cells and a manual welding department, which must be sequenced and managed to produce fabricated trailer assemblies and components. The brief is simple in concept and demanding in execution: deliver safe, high-quality, efficient component manufacturing that meets the demand of every IWT trailer line right first time, on time and in full, at a cost that supports business growth and capital reinvestment plans.
This is a senior leadership role with full accountability for the performance, quality and safety of all vertically integrated component manufacturing in your remit. You will lead manufacturing leaders across multiple departments within the components site, own the production plan, drive manufacturing performance and root-cause problem solving, and act as the single point of accountability for getting components to assembly when assembly needs them, never the bottleneck, always the enabler.
More Details:
What you will be responsible for:
- Safe, high-quality, on-time output across every department within the Components Site.
- Production planning, scheduling and material flow across complex, sequenced operations.
- OEE and uptime across high-value capital equipment, with capex business cases that anticipate growth and deliver strong returns.
- Quality, root-cause problem solving, cost-of-quality and material-waste programmes.
- Continuous Improvement embedded within the culture as a way of working.
- A high-performing manufacturing leadership team, the right people, with the right skills, in the right places.
- Health & Safety leadership and cross-functional partnership with Design, Engineering, Quality and HR.
What we are looking for:
- Senior production or operations leadership in component manufacturing, fabrication, pressing, machining, welding, sub-assembly or similar disciplines.
- Demonstrable Continuous Improvement methodology, applied at scale, with measurable and sustained results.
- Strong track record on OEE and capital equipment performance, minimising downtime, maximising output.
- Production planning in multi-line environments with complex inter-dependencies and supply pressures.
- Operational ownership and cost control, confidence with both the numbers and the operational levers behind them.
- Health & Safety leadership in a manufacturing setting, with a credible track record of compliance and culture-building.
- Leading and developing manufacturing leaders, with a track record of building a culture of improvement and achieving excellence.
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.
- 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 operations 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, capital projects, NPI, vertical integration, people development and operational performance, all under one remit. 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, explaining what attracts you to this role, why you are applying, and what relevant experience you would bring 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 and other senior panel members. We will be in touch with all applicants and would like to thank you in advance for taking the time to apply.
Senior Production Manager, Components employer: Ifor Williams Trailers Ltd
Ifor Williams Trailers is an exceptional employer, offering a unique blend of family-owned stability and the dynamic challenges of a leading trailer manufacturer. Located in the picturesque North Wales, employees benefit from a supportive work culture that prioritises safety, quality, and continuous improvement, alongside competitive salaries and genuine investment in professional development. With opportunities for leadership and growth, this role allows you to make a significant impact while enjoying the stunning natural surroundings and proximity to vibrant cities like Liverpool and Manchester.
Contact Details:
Ifor Williams Trailers Ltd Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Production Manager, Components
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to industry contacts, attend relevant events, and connect with people on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its culture. Understand their products and challenges, especially in components manufacturing. This will help you tailor your answers and show that you're genuinely interested in the role.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your responses to common interview questions, but keep it natural. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your answers, especially when discussing your leadership experience and problem-solving skills.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to follow up after your interview! A quick thank-you email can leave a lasting impression and shows your enthusiasm for the position. Plus, it keeps you on their radar as they make their decision.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Production Manager, Components
Some tips for your application 🫡
Craft a Compelling CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to highlight your experience in production and operations leadership. Use clear, concise language that reflects the job description and showcases your achievements in component manufacturing.
Write a Standout Covering Note:Your covering note is your chance to shine! Explain why this role excites you and how your background aligns with the responsibilities outlined. Keep it engaging and personal, showing us your passion for the industry.
Showcase Your Achievements:When detailing your experience, focus on measurable results. Talk about your successes in improving OEE, leading teams, or implementing continuous improvement strategies. Numbers speak volumes!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets into the right hands. Plus, it shows us you’re serious about joining our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Ifor Williams Trailers Ltd
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you understand the ins and outs of components manufacturing. Brush up on your knowledge of laser cutting, CNC machining, and welding processes. Being able to speak confidently about these areas will show that you're not just a leader but also someone who knows the technical side of things.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Style
Prepare to discuss your approach to leading teams, especially in high-pressure environments. Think of examples where you've successfully developed manufacturing leaders or improved team performance. This role is all about accountability and ownership, so be ready to demonstrate how you embody these traits.
✨Be Data-Driven
Since this position involves a lot of operational metrics like OEE and capital equipment performance, come prepared with examples of how you've used data to drive decisions. Highlight any continuous improvement initiatives you've led and the measurable results they achieved.
✨Cultural Fit Matters
Ifor Williams Trailers values a culture of open communication and safety. Be ready to discuss how you've fostered a positive workplace culture in previous roles. Share your thoughts on health and safety leadership and how you’ve built a culture of compliance and improvement within your teams.
